Hamden man $1M richer after becoming ‘American Ninja Warrior’ champion

A Hamden man who has competed on the TV competition show “American Ninja Warrior” for nine seasons was recently awarded its second ever $1 million prize.
News 12 caught up with Drew Drechsel at Real Life Ninja Academy in Stamford, one of four ninja training gyms he owns. He called being an “American Ninja Warrior” champion “pretty cool.”
“The timer went off and I was like, ‘Oh my gosh, he didn't finish. I'm a million dollars richer. I won,’” said Drechsel.
The champ was a top competitor on the show season after season – throwing all his physical and mental strength into endless grueling obstacles.
He said 40% of his winnings will go to taxes, but the rest will come in handy when he and his girlfriend welcome a baby boy in December.
They plan to move back to Drechsel's home state of Florida and open another gym. He also plans to keep competing on the show.