Jessica Lauren Graff (born January 12, 1984)[1][2][3] is an American professional stunt woman, martial artist and athletics-based television personality. She is a black belt in Taekwondo, a black sash in Kung Fu, and is trained in five other styles of martial arts. She is also a championship pole vaulter and a competitive gymnast.[4]
Graff has become well known for her athletic achievements on the obstacle course show American Ninja Warrior. In 2016, she became the first woman ever to complete Stage 1 of the Las Vegas Finals course. In 2017, Graff became the first woman to compete in, and to successfully finish, Stage 2 in Las Vegas, although this was part of the USA vs. The World competition instead of a regular season, and that had no time requirement.[5][6] She was the first woman representing the United States in that competition.[6] Later on in Sasuke 34, she became the first woman worldwide to finish Stage 2 in the Sasuke/Ninja Warrior franchise, only defeated by the Ultra Crazy Cliffhanger in the third stage. She was the second woman ever to conquer the Stage 1 of the Sasuke course (excluding Kunoichi), after Chie Tanabe in Sasuke 2.
- ^ Jessie Graff at World Athletics
- ^ Jessica Graff. Ramblin Wreck. Retrieved on 2013-12-10.
- ^ "2002 Washington Post All-Met". Washington Post. 2002.
- ^ "Jessie Graff". Martial Arts and Action Entertainment. 20 October 2015.
- ^ Matera, Avery (2017). "Jessie Graff Just Broke an Incredible 'American Ninja Warrior' Record". SELF. Retrieved 2017-06-07.
- ^ a b Barnes, Katie (2017-05-31). "American Ninja Warrior Jessie Graff is now the first woman to complete Stage 2". ESPN.com. Retrieved 2017-06-06.
