Aneesa Ferreira (‘The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras’) on her record-setting ‘Challenge’ career, close bond with Jordan and fierce battle with Jenny [WATCH]
Aneesa Ferreira‘s hopes of winning “The Challenge 40: Battle of the Eras” came to an end on Wednesday night when she was sent into the elimination arena for the second time this season. The 42-year-old who has competed on more flagship seasons than any other female lost a close game of “Pick It Up” to Era 4’s Jenny West, after being sent in to compete by daily challenge winners Johnny “Bananas” Devenanzio and Laurel Stucky.
Aneesa says she wasn’t surprised that she and Derrick Kosinski got tossed into the arena over Jordan Wiseley and Nia Moore. “I didn’t see Johnny putting his ass on the line for us,” she explains. “I’m not offended by it, but I’m not surprised.” She also admits that after watching the episode back, it seems pretty obvious that Johnny and Jordan had some sort of deal made long before filming started. “Maybe I’ll call him, because I would like to know.” Watch the full video interview above.
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Heading into her battle with Jenny, Aneesa’s initial thoughts were, “I don’t know how I’m going to do this.” But having won more eliminations than any other female in “Challenge” history, she never counts herself out.
“I think I underestimated myself. It was close, and I was ahead of her at the end. If I would have caught that last [ball] that was it. It kept me up at night for a little bit. But it was one of the most beautiful things. I wish they would have shown everyone giving me my flowers. It was a really good performance…It just shows you anyone can be beat, or close to being beat.”
Throughout her many seasons, Aneesa has broken an ankle, dislocated a should, and tore her ACL and meniscus. It’s all part of the game, she says. “If you think of any professional football player, or whatever, this is an easy injury that occurs a lot. But I think because I’m a woman, and I’m older, out of 20-ish shows I’ve gotten hurt three times. You bounce back.”
She also credits, in part, Jordan for pushing her to come back so strong this season. The two were paired up in “Ride or Dies,” where they finished third place in the final. Aneesa would love to have him as a partner again. “I could give him and myself so much more. I felt really safe with him even though he got on my damn nerves. We’re both Virgos and it can get really messy, but it taught me so much about myself.”
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