All language subtitles for Australian.Ninja.Warrior.S01E08.WEBRip.9Now.en

MAN: No-one thought it would be easy,
and they were right.

Oh, god! Oh!
WOMAN: Oh, no!

Australian Ninja Warrior has lived up
to the global reputation.

Oh, no!

This is the toughest obstacle course
on the planet.

After two semifinals,
only the elite have made the cut.

I can't believe it!

Tonight, semifinal three -

the last chance
to make the grand final.

Again, the course changes
with two new obstacles -

the Big Wheel
and the Swinging Spikes.

30 ninjas will take it on,

among them parkour twins
Dylan and Brodie Pawson,

who were unstoppable in their heat.

He has broken a minute.

Gymnast Celeste Dixon
showed she's got what it takes.

Yes!

And can rugby league star Beau Ryan
continue to defy the odds?

I would give anything
to hit the buzzer

in front of my family and friends.

Only seven will qualify
for the grand final

and a shot at Mount Midoriyama...

..as the search continues for
Australia's first Ninja Warrior.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Hello. I'm Rebecca Maddern.
I'm Freddie Flintoff.

I'm Ben Fordham,

and tonight the Australian Ninja
Warrior semifinals conclude.

This course has become a whole lot
tougher since the heats,

and that means
every single competitor

will have to be at their very best

if they're to score a coveted spot
in the grand final.

And this is where it gets really
challenging for our athletes.

It doesn't matter how well
you've done in the heat,

one lapse in concentration,
one wrong move,

and your night and your dreams
could all be over.

Now, Freddie, you've been keeping
a very close eye

on all of our competitors.

Who do you like tonight?

Well, I'm loving our Indigenous
marathon runner Jack Wilson,

the parkour brothers,
Dylan and Brodie Pawson,

and not forgetting we've got

the number one Australian
female obstacle course racer,

Janet Smith.

Ultimately, only seven
of our semifinalists tonight

will go through to the grand final

and score the opportunity of
trying to climb Mount Midoriyama.

We've changed up
the course again tonight,

so let's take a look
at the obstacles

our ninjas will be tackling.

Tonight, nine obstacles
stand between the competitors

and a place in the grand final.

As always, the Quintuple Steps
start things off.

Then the Log Grip.

Competitors use both arms and legs
to hang on

through two big jolts
to the other side.

The Spinning Log is next,

demanding speed, balance, and
light feet to cross successfully.

On the Jump Hang,

competitors use a mini tramp
to reach a 3.5-metre cargo net

before clambering down
without touching the water.

Obstacle five is where
we change things up a bit

with the Big Wheel.

Competitors swing across
three large wheels,

two of which will spin.

The third swings like a pendulum.

Then it's the Warped Wall,

a 4.2-metre incline that was the end
of the course in the heats.

Not this time, though.

Competitors face three more
challenging obstacles.

The Swinging Spikes are next,

the second new obstacle
in this semifinal.

Competitors will cross
five hanging spikes,

including one attached
to a bungee cord.

The penultimate obstacle
is the Pole Grasper -

eight swinging aluminium poles

spaced at irregular intervals.

It will take
both arm and leg grip strength

to make it through here.

And finally, the Chimney Climb,

a brutal seven-metre
unassisted vertical climb

to the buzzer on top.

Only the top seven competitors who
make it furthest through the course

in the fastest time
will qualify for the grand final.

And let's kick it off right now
with our first ninja.

He's 32-year-old luxury boat detailer
Adam Chatfield.

He'll be hoping for a clean run
on this semifinal course tonight.

In his heat,

Adam made it all the way
up the wall in 2:21,

qualifying in ninth place.

I don't have a backstory
like some of these other guys

that have been professional gymnasts
in the Commonwealth Games,

Olympic medallists.

I am just a boat detailer,
so I may surprise a lot of people.

Please don't touch that water!

And now he hits the wall.

In the heat,
seeing the crowd just cheering,

my heart just pumped a million times
faster than what it normally does.

(CHEERS)

Looking down at Declan and Lisa
cheering back up at me,

it was just... it was incredible.

I'm married to Lisa and stepdad
to Declan, who's seven.

Adam's strong enough to be the first
Australian Ninja Warrior ever been.

Declan is absolutely
my number one supporter.

All he has been talking about
is Ninja Warrior.

He lives and breathes it, so
I really don't wanna let him down.

I've just gotta make it
all the way to the end.

So, here we go.

Semifinal number three.

The last chance for our ninjas
to make it to the grand final,

and we're away.

You'll know that face.

That's music producer Ben Polson
on the sideline there.

He and Adam are good mates
and trained together in Perth.

Ben will also be running
later tonight.

Take your time!

Yeah, now he's on the Log Grip.

We've had a couple come unstuck
in previous semifinals.

Here he comes - one thud, two thuds.
Oh!

And an ugly dismount,
but he gets off nonetheless.

Now, for the first time tonight,
the Spinning Log,

an obstacle that has really caused
problems through the semifinals.

Oh! Hang on! Hang on!
Oh, no!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He's just climbed himself
out of trouble.

Great save!
Yeah! Whoo!

Now the Jump Hang. Freddie?

Here he goes onto the trampoline.

Yes! Grabs onto the cargo net.

The relief of getting through the
Spinning Log will be short-lived.

That's it!

Needs to now concentrate at getting
underneath this cargo net.

Going backwards.

You're right. You're right. You...

Yeah, it seems to be working for him.

Although the net is 3.5 metres long -

bigger than in the heats -

this is an obstacle
he's faced before.

But this is a brand-new one.
We haven't seen this one before, Bec.

He's just eyeing off the Big Wheel.

In fact, there are three wheels,
and it is very tricky.

Onto the first one,
and you can see that disc there -

it's spinning.

He needs to get enough swing
to jump to the next level.

Just like that!

The third one he's about to jump to,
the whole structure moves.

That's right.

Here he goes.

Oh, ho, ho!

Now, you need the perfect dismount.

Get enough momentum behind you
before jumping for the mat,

and he does.

Come on, dude!

Western Australia will be roaring
at the moment

as this 32-year-old gets ready
to nail the wall.

He did it in the heats.

He's up! Up and home!

Now is his first glimpse
of this second part of the course,

and waiting for him
are the Swinging Spikes.

The grip strength will be tested.

Gotta get onto them first
by using the rope.

Take your time, mate.

He's looking nice and strong early,
Freddie.

This third one,
it's got a bungee cord on it.

It'll drop down with his weight.

He does it.
Makes the transition nicely.

Swing, swing!

Reaching for the last one now.
Here he goes.

Yeah! That's it!

Now... Oh!
Oh!

Well, Adam Chatfield!

Adam out on the Swinging Spikes,

and on the sidelines,

fellow competitor Ben Polson
can't believe it.

Did not expect that.

It just goes to show you -

you're watching someone
go through this course

and they're nailing
every single aspect of it,

but fatigue can set in,

and the next thing,
you're in the pool.

It all went wrong for Adam
on that final spike.

As he tried to transition across,

his entire bodyweight was only
supported by one arm,

putting far too much pressure
on his grip strength.

Just a big difference between
the heats and the semifinal?

It's hard being first,
but I'm glad it's out of the way,

'cause the nerves are pretty tough.

But I'm sure your stepson Declan
will be watching at home,

idolising everything you do.

Congratulations. Great effort.

Ladies and gentlemen,
give it up for Adam!

Good stuff, mate!

A great start from Adam,
all the way to the seventh obstacle.

Honestly, mate, you absolutely
killed that, you really did.

Just have to wait and see
if it holds up, you know?

Adam faces a long wait

to see if he's done enough
to qualify in the top seven.

Up next, Janet Smith -

37-year-old mum of three
and elite obstacle course racer

ready to take on
the semifinal course.

REBECCA: She qualified
15th from her heat

after coming off
on the Double Tilt Ladder.

Tonight she's hoping
to set the record straight.

As soon as they heard that Ninja
Warrior was coming to Australia,

my three girls, they're like,
"Mum, you have to do this!"

And that's why I'm here today.

How's the focus on Janet's grip?

On the heats, I came off
on the Tilting Ladders.

Ohh!

I am uber frustrated that
I didn't get to slam the buzzer,

'cause I know I could do
the Warped Wall.

I know I had more to give.

So, to get another crack,
it's awesome.

Ninja Warrior,
I am one of only six women left

and I'm not planning
on going anywhere yet.

No doubt about it,
this woman is quite amazing.

A terrific athlete.

She's 37 years of age

and she is a mother of three girls.

Yeah, unfortunately Taylor, Holly,
and Lily couldn't be here tonight,

but they'll be watching
and cheering at home

as mum finishes the first obstacle.

Will they ever!

Now, she actually takes part

in at least six elite
obstacle course races

and three amateur races every year.

So, her calendar, it's full!

Here we go on the Log Grip.

First drop, second drop.

No!
Oh, Janet.

She is shattered.

She had such high hopes
in this competition. We all did.

Janet's semifinal run was over
all too quickly on the Log Grip.

The second big jolt
bucked her right off the log,

sending her straight down
into the pool.

Janet.
Freddie.

Dare I ask how you're feeling?

Oh, gutted!

What happened?

I think you just slipped off.

(LAUGHTER)

At least you're still smiling.
Great effort.

Ladies and gentlemen, let's have
a big round of applause for Janet.

How you doing? You alright?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Yeah, tough break for Janet,

and once again
we're seeing how difficult

these semifinal obstacles are.

But we're only just getting started.

Tonight on Ninja Island,

it's the last chance
to make it to the grand final.

Can star of 'The NRL Footy Show'
Beau Ryan

defy all expectations?

Rugby league is a bit easier,
in my opinion,

'cause you know
what you're gonna get.

This - you cannot prepare.
You go hard or go home.

Chippie Sam Goodall nearly lost
his leg in a motorbike accident.

MAN: Doctor said there was a high
chance that I could lose it.

But he's here
to do the tradies proud.

I'm certainly just a regular bloke,
you know?

There's a million carpenters
like me.

And right now in the warm-up area
is baker Zayne Wealthall.

He's on the course next when we
return on Australian Ninja Warrior.

REBECCA: Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior,

where our competitors
are struggling to make headway

against this super-sized
semifinal course.

While you were away,

three-time Olympic kayaker
Warwick Draper showed his grit

on the Spinning Log.

This is a serious contender.

Oh!
BEN: Oh, hang on, hang on.

But ultimately, he had to paddle
his way out of the pool.

He'll be OK.
Oh, no.

Canadian paediatric surgeon
Kevin Robertson

found the cargo net
wasn't child's play.

FREDDIE: Look at his face.
Look at the determination.

Oh, no! Foot slips.

And back on the log, daredevil Caine
Tsang started a Titanic struggle.

It's too slow.
Oh.

Oh, nasty, but he saved himself!
He was too slow.

Can he get up?

He is hugging this Spinning Log
like his life depends on it.

I don't know. He's... No!

Desperate efforts from our ninjas.

They're giving everything
to try and beat this course.

Let's see if our next ninja
can rise to the challenge.

It's 20-year-old baker
Zayne Wealthall.

Now, if he performs
like he did in the heats,

he's got a fighting chance.

He was outstanding,

making it all the way
up the Warped Wall

in the third fastest time.

Got the short shorts on,
ready for action.

They are very short shorts.

He completed the heats
in a very good time - 1:34.

Only Adam Chatfield
has made it further

than the Warped Wall tonight.

Nobody else has gone past
the fourth obstacle.

FREDDIE: Zayne skipping through.

Not a big lad.

He's obviously kind of tall,
but he's lean, strong.

He is, and he goes onto the Log Grip
now using the lower handles.

Makes it through well,
and now onto the Spinning Log.

He looks incredibly focused, Ben.

He's not put a foot wrong.

Oh!
Oh, what?

Oh!

It's the Rebecca Maddern jinx
and it strikes again.

Next time somebody goes across
the Spinning Log,

I'm not saying a word.

Not one word!

The Spinning Log collects another
victim in these semifinals.

Zayne's second step
started the log spinning,

making him lose his footing,

and sending him crashing head-first
into the pool.

Absolutely shattered - shattered,

but at the end of the day,
you know, what can I do?

Come back next year
bigger and stronger.

Now, I know that many on Ninja Island

are keen to see our next competitor.

He is former NRL player and star
of 'The NRL Footy Show', Beau Ryan.

He blew everyone away,
including himself,

with his gutsy performance
during the heats.

Beau crashed out on the penultimate
obstacle on heat four,

but his brave effort was enough
to qualify in 18th place.

In the heats, I just didn't want
to make an idiot of myself,

even though I get paid to do that
in 'The Footy Show'.

I hit the pipes, and I looked at it,

and firstly I couldn't work out
how to get up it,

and then, when I finally got up it,

I couldn't get across
to the other pipe.

Going up or going down!

Now I hate pipes.

I can't believe I'm here.
It's a bit of a fluke.

I just Hail Mary'd everything
and got here.

So, I'm ready to roll.

Rugby league's a bit easier,
in my opinion,

'cause you know
what you're gonna get,

and this - you cannot prepare.

You can be physically fit
and strong,

but when you get out there,
that all goes out the window.

I'm pretty lucky

that supporting me tonight
on the sidelines will be my wife.

I would give anything
to hit the buzzer

in front of my family and friends.

I'm very jealous of all of
the other people that have done it.

Congratulations. I'm not bitter.

Tonight my strategy, knowing
that I've got nine obstacles,

will be go as hard as I can
for as long as I can.

Go hard or go home.

FREDDIE: The crowd are on their feet
for this guy.

On your marks, get set, ball!

Well, he was genuinely fearful
about taking on the heats.

He couldn't believe how far he went.

I thought he would go
all the way to the semifinals,

because he's still so fit,

even though he's not competing
anymore in the game of rugby league,

but he was so strong in the heats.

He was,
he really surprised everyone,

and as you say, probably himself.

I mean, he is very fit, he's had
years of difficult training,

but when you retire, you retire,
so you do slack off a little.

Whoa, he just had a lucky dismount,

and says a little prayer
as he finishes that one.

He's a big lad as well - 87kg.

Let's hope that
he can get that fancy footwork

to get him over the Spinning Log.

Beau Ryan.
His wife, Kara, watching on.

I'm not saying a word.
Best you don't.

Oh, no.

And the poor bloke.

One of the nicest fellas in the game
of rugby league - he's out.

He's just happy
to make the semifinals.

That was a terrific effort,
Beau Ryan.

Beau's attempt
to cross the Spinning Log

didn't really get started.

His first step began the spinning,

and from there, there was nothing
he could do to recover.

Beau, you're smiling,
but I'm absolutely gutted.

How was you feeling out there, mate?

Um, I was happy to get across that,
the punching bag thing,

but, yeah, I love team sport,

'cause you can sort of hide
in the team, but...

Hey, tell me about it.
Did it for years!

That's why...
You know what I'm saying?

That's why I don't do boxing
or any individual sports,

but I've loved every second of it,
but it is tough,

and full credit to everyone
that even has a go at it, mate.

I really loved it.
Mate, we've loved having you on.

Absolutely unbelievable.

Let's give it up for the legend
which is Beau Ryan!

Whoo!

Coming up, the battle for the final
seven qualifying spots heats up.

Superhuman French firey Aurelien
Apport has power and strength.

That was phenomenal.

But is that enough
for this semifinal course?

You're the man, Aurelien!
You are the man!

Parkour twins the Pawsons
dominated the heats.

He has broken a minute.

Tonight we'll find out which brother
really is the fastest.

And 19-year-old 'Tarzaniel'
Daniel Weston is ready to shine.

You're gonna do really well, OK?

You're gonna get
into the grand final.

Stoked for you.
Killing it.

Killing it!
I love you.

BEN: Welcome back to Ninja Island,

where a serious case
of commentator's curse

has afflicted the Spinning Log.

REBECCA: This is
a serious contender.

Oh.
Oh, no!

He's not put a foot wrong.

Oh!
Oh!

It's the Rebecca Maddern jinx,
and it strikes again.

Jokes aside, Freddie, there are some
problems down there tonight.

Behind me is the Spinning Log,

and it has got our ninjas petrified.

Once you put your weight on it,
it starts to spin,

and your legs can be taken out,

and the result can be
very, very ugly.

Now, it's not just
about physicality.

It's also mental.

Toughen the mind
and the body will follow.

Oh, words of wisdom from Freddie
for our next competitor.

Get ready for the first
of the parkour twins.

Dylan Pawson is the only ninja

to have completed the heat
in under 1:00.

Go, Dylan!

He blew everyone away in the heats,

getting to the top
of the Warped Wall

in just 58 seconds,

and he's primed and ready
to do it again.

Brodie and I have been training
parkour for like, nine years.

So, when we just run the course,

it's just
there's no hesitation at all.

The heat went, actually,
a lot better than I thought.

I was just completely calm.
Just... I've never been that calm.

He has broken 1:00!

That is how you do it,
fellow ninjas!

I've been doing
a little bit of bragging,

just 'cause Brodie and I know
I beat him by eight seconds,

and I rub it in just a little bit.

If my brother gets into the finals
and I don't, I'll be gutted,

but I'm determined to beat him
again in the semis.

Smash it, Dylan!
Come on! You can do it!

And there he is -
twin brother, Brodie,

who had an amazing run himself.

I love these guys.
I think they are a sensation.

They're only 22 years of age.

They just love taking risks,
and they love a challenge.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Well, we've seen, Bec,
the parkour enthusiasts

do very well so far
on Australian Ninja Warrior.

They just don't seem
to think about it.

I mean, they do this kind of stuff,
obstacle course racing, every day,

whether they're doing it
officially in competition...

Oh, no!
Yes!

He just kept his feet
above the water.

Yes!

Nearly a huge shock there.

Now, Dylan, compose yourself
for the Spinning Log, please.

No! He falls!

Can you believe it? He's down.

I don't know what happened there.

We had high hopes for Dylan
and he's crashed out.

He saved himself on the Log Grip,

but couldn't get past
that Spinning Log.

Yeah, that log started spinning
right now on his second step.

It looked like he might be able to
rescue it using hands and legs,

but, no, it wasn't to be.

He was in the water.

Dylan, you had a blistering time
in the heats - less than 1:00 -

but tonight, what happened, mate?

Oh, I just... just stuffed up.

Yeah. (LAUGHS)

Well, unlucky, mate. No worries.

The crowd right behind you.
You go and see your brother.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

What a shock.

Yeah, you gotta do it quick, eh?
Yeah. Did I go real slow?

You went pretty slow.
Yeah.

It looked like you slightly
hesitated a tiny bit.

Oh, really?
A little bit.

Damn, that's unlucky.
I'm gonna be gutted.

Alright.

Brodie will get his chance

to restore Pawson family pride
a little later.

OK, next up rugby coach
Francis Cullimore.

As a former Waratah, Francis
is used to high-pressure situations,

so he'll be expecting
big things tonight.

He scraped into the semifinals

in 18th spot from his heat

after completing the course in 2:55.

Ninja Warrior is definitely
out of my comfort zone,

but I've got the mentality
to go all the way.

I'll just go out and give it my best

every single time
I have a crack at anything.

My heat went really well.

My mindset was just to attack it
and do as good as I can.

He gets the jump, gets the grab.

He won't have any problems with the
toughness of this course tonight.

I was quite gassed.
I couldn't even talk.

I think I missed
the first attempt at it,

but the second one, I managed
to get up there and hit the buzzer.

He's there!

I've learnt a lot from my heat
for the semifinal.

Don't rush it, take a breather,

If you've got a good mindset

and you can control emotions
on the night,

I think you've got a chance
with anything you do.

And Francis has definitely got
a chance tonight, Freddie.

FREDDIE: Oh, Francis Cullimore,
I remember you.

Look at the size of this man.

95kg of pure muscle.

And there's the cheer squad -

wife, Kerrie, sister, Moana,
and good friend Cedric.

They'll be hoping Francis
can become only the second ninja

to make it past
obstacle number four.

Yeah, it's incredible, isn't it?
Let's see how he goes.

Taking his time
on the Quintuple Steps.

As well as his rugby achievements,

Francis is
a champion bodybuilder too.

Just a great competitor.

WOMAN: Hold the bag!
MAN: Go, go!

And now he has a look

and takes a firm grip
on the handhold.

Pushes off.
Hold it! Hold it, hold it!

No problems on the Log Grip.

Let's just stand back and watch how
he tackles the Spinning Log,

because he's 95kg.

I know what you're thinking.
There's too much of him.

Well...

No, I'm absolutely wrong!

Francis Cullimore, I'm happy that
you proved me wrong. Well done!

He checks out the trampoline,

which will take him
onto the cargo net.

He lost a little bit of energy
last time on the cargo net.

Big jump. Nice grab.

The net's a lot bigger this time -
3.5 metres.

Watch your booty.

The strength
as he just comes past me.

The size of the arms.

This man is a tank.

Butt up! Butt up!
Take your time.

He completed the course
last time around,

so got to the top of the Warped Wall.

He could go all the way.

REBECCA: Yeah, but the 95kg
is hanging pretty low

above that swimming pool.

No, you're not! Keep your hands
high up! You're right!

He's right, he's right.

Keep going, keep going!
But he gets past!

His wife, Kerrie,
so relieved, so happy.

Only Adam Chatfield has gone further
than this tonight, Freddie.

It's so far, so good.

This is where
it'll get tough for him.

I know he's built,

but he's gonna have to carry
that mass, that bulk,

across these wheels.

Yeah!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Oh, yeah. He's pretty to watch.

Oh! Isn't he?

He's just grabbed
onto that wheel there,

and he won't let go.

He's got a tremendous grip.

Oh, no, no, no!
Oh, no!

Bec, you've done it again!

Talking up his grip strength

and guess what brings
the big fella down.

Watch Francis's hands
as he jumps onto the last wheel.

Instead of grabbing the flat
horizontal section of the wheel,

he gets the curve,

and with his full body weight
heading down,

he can't readjust his grip in time.

You're one of the heavier
competitors.

Do you think that played a factor

as you was trying to grab
onto that last wheel?

Oh, definitely -
it definitely played a factor.

Trying to hold a flying 100kg Kiwi,

I don't think I had any chance
of hanging onto that.

I just really wanted
to get past that rolling thing,

and I bolted past that,
so I'm stoked.

And it just shows, you know,
you can be any weight, any size,

and any age, to be honest,
and you can do anything you want.

I'm so sorry, Francis,

but wise words, and a great effort
to get to obstacle five,

the Big Wheel.

Remember, the top seven ninjas

who go the furthest in the fastest
time will go through.

Still to come on Ninja Island,
get ready for the tradies...

The plumber is doing
very, very well.

..as Ryan Solomon has
Mount Midoriyama in his sights.

The journey continues
for Sam Goodall.

MAN: It feels great to be back
on the island for semifinals.

Yesterday
I was knocking a house down

and today I'm on a course

with people that have been
to the Olympics.

And gymnast Celeste Dixon
lost her grip in the heats...

I think I shocked myself that
I actually got it, and I let go!

..so she's come up with a new plan.

Wing it. (LAUGHS)

REBECCA: The competitors
on Australian Ninja Warrior

all want to make it through
the course in record time.

BEN: But it's the ninja
who goes furthest and fastest

that will be given the title
of Performance of the Night.

Thanks to Berocca.

Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior,

where so far, only one competitor
has made it past halfway

on this semifinal course.

Let's see if our next ninja
can change all that.

29-year-old Sam Goodall.
He is ready to go.

He's a chippie
from Western Australia

who drove for five hours to get
to the Ninja Warrior audition.

FREDDIE: Now, for me, this is what
Ninja Warrior is all about -

everyday heroes having a go.

Well, he certainly had a go
in the heats, Freddie,

where he came unstuck
on the Cargo with Lache,

but still did enough
to qualify in 14th.

MAN: I'm certainly just
a regular bloke, you know?

There's a million carpenters
like me.

You know, I think tradies
are the ninjas of the country.

I'm hoping to bring
some of that to the course.

The crowd's on his side.
Come on, Sam.

In the heats, I fell off
a bit earlier than I was hoping to.

And he's slipped just like that!

At that point, when I hit the water,

I thought, "This is it.
I'm going home."

It feels great to be back
on the island for the semifinals.

Yesterday I was knocking
a house down

and today I'm on a course

with people that have been
to the Olympics.

It is daunting,
but I can give it a crack.

Coming out to a thing like this,
Ninja Warrior,

it's a huge spotlight,
it's a huge moment in my life.

Now, it is a huge moment,

and Sam was desperate to share it
with his wife, Rachel,

but they live five hours from Perth.

It is a very long way to come,

but thanks to a bit of technology,

there she is,
watching on at home in WA.

Hello! I love you.

Good luck.

Freddie, you're a Sam fan too?

I want this lad to get through.
I want this lad to do well.

I am right behind this lad.

Whether I should stay impartial,

whether I shouldn't have favourites,
I'm not quite sure,

but Sam Goodall - come on, son!

Go, go, go.

Righto, this is his first obstacle
tonight, the Quintuple Steps,

and he does pretty well.

Through the first obstacle.
Keep your eye on the clock.

It's about time tonight as well.

He'll struggle
to see around this log.

He's only 5'9".

It's not just about the arms
on this one.

It's about the knee grip
and the inside thigh grip as well.

Some competitors have come
to a nasty end,

but he gets himself through,
Sam Goodall.

And he flashes the number two again,

letting everyone know,
"There you go - two down."

Many more to go.

It's gonna be a long night
if he does that for nine.

And all of a sudden, here we are
on the Spinning Log.

Go on, Sammy!

And he is lightning fast.
Oh!

There you go - he gives the three.

Come on, Sammy!

He's got six to go.

Off the tramp, onto the net.

Oooh, flying through the air,
just like... just like a gymnast.

And as far as his sporting career,

he wanted to be a sprinter,
dreamed of going to the Olympics.

He broke his leg
in a motorbike crash.

He nearly lost his leg

and he was out of any form
of competition for two years

as a result of that accident.

And he's a little bit slow here
on getting off the net,

and that T-shirt's been hanging
a little close to the water,

but he gets one foot on, two feet.

He's OK.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Takes a breather,

and very soon he'll launch himself
at this obstacle

that he's never seen before
until this moment.

(HEAD THUDS)
(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS)

Oh, my word.
Banged his head on the wheel.

I think he's hurt himself.

Shakes it off. That's the spirit,
Sam. Come on, Sam.

Looks like a bad knock,
but he wants to carry on.

Here he goes
from one wheel to the next.

He gives himself a lot of swing
and he holds on.

That's so strong
without a bang to the head,

but with one, it's amazing.

On to the third and final wheel.

Just looking at his head now,
you can see that red mark,

or maybe it's even a cut.

I wonder how much
that is troubling him now.

He needs to get off this wheel.
He needs to get off soon.

He's wasting too much energy.
He is down!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Now shows the five fingers.

That means he's made it
to the Warped Wall.

He never made it this far
in the heats.

Can he make it up the wall now?

Rachel's watching. Can he do it, Bec?

Here he goes. We'll soon find out.

Whoo!

Yes, he does!
What a moment for Sam Goodall.

Fantastic.

He's now thinking,
"Righto, all of that is behind me."

He's got two obstacles
in front of him

before he gets a shot at the Chimney.

I just hope he's not too distracted

by that nasty bump
above his eyebrow.

But he's just given the thumbs up.
He's OK.

Oh, I wish I was there.

I get the feeling he's not gonna
give up at this point.

He's come too far.

And here he goes.
He's up on the rope.

Straight onto the first spike.
Grips it with two hands.

Transfers to the second one.

Now he's eyeballing the third.

This is the one
that's got a bit of bungee on it.

He's got both hands on that spike,

swinging, but in the wrong direction.

He's gonna have to get the swing
in another direction, and he does.

He gets the right hand
onto the next spike.

I mean, he's not approaching
this course in textbook fashion,

but he's getting through, Ben.

Who cares? Oh!
(GASPS)

He's OK. He's alright.

I thought he might be in danger
of disqualification,

but his left foot hits the front mat
before he falls back,

and his right foot
does not touch the water.

A close shave, but Sam's now
gone past Adam Chatfield

and is the new leader on the course.

Seven down. Two to go.

Yeah, but number eight is a killer -
the Pole Grasper.

He's gone a lot further
than many thought he would,

based on the fact he never even saw
the Warped Wall during the heats.

I know, this is incredible,
but now this is really brutal.

He's gone high, and that's what you
like to see on this obstacle -

people going high to get as far away

from those sharks down in the water
below as possible.

Remember, he's only 5'9",
so, not that tall,

which could be a disadvantage here.

Yeah, he's just passed the 6:00 mark,

and a bit of stress on the face,
I must say.

He's gotta support
his entire body weight.

Now, he's struggling
to reach this next one.

Oh, he is, he is!

This is where the problem is
being up high,

because the pole up high
has got no flexibility.

That means the next pole
is a long, long way away.

Oh, so, he wants to go down a little.

Sliding. Manages to get it.

And that's a big gap
between those last few.

Now, this is a smaller gap
between these next three.

He's onto the last one.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He's done it!

The man who only got
to the cargo net during the heats

now signals eight down, one to come.

I don't know what he's done
in the last few days,

but he has prepared himself so well!

You've got this, babe.

It might've just been
an unlucky run during the heats

that brought him unstuck.

Let's see how he goes now.

Flying the flag
for all the tradies out there.

Come on, son!

67kg, 29 years of age.

He's making his way
up the Chimney Climb

and he's doing it pretty quickly.

He's halfway. Can he go all the way?

He's tough, he's tired,

but he's looking absolutely terrific,

and he is home!

Oh, Sam!
What a performance.

Oh, my goodness.

Sam Goodall, hit the buzzer,

and celebrate
a wonderful achievement.

The first ninja to complete
the course tonight.

And after indicating each number
after conquering each obstacle,

he points at the ultimate obstacle
of them all, Mount Midoriyama.

Well done, mate.

The WA chippie
battled through adversity

after a nasty bump on the Big Wheel,

and then dealt with whatever
this course could throw at him.

He made it to the top
of the Chimney Climb

and gives himself a great chance
of qualifying for the grand final.

Realistically, did you think you'd
get to the top of the Chimney?

Nah, no way.

I was planning to do a bombie
in the first pool, actually,

but, um... then I thought
that wouldn't be really

taking the course seriously,
and it deserves respect.

So, I'm chasing down
this big girl next time.

Oh, she's the queen.
She needs a king.

Hopefully one of us will be it.

There we go. Not too many tradies
I know could do that.

Ladies and gentlemen, big round
of applause for Sam Goodall.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Sam's amazing effort has taken him

right to the top of the leaderboard.

Fellow West Australian

Adam Chatfield

is in second place,

with natural bodybuilder

Francis Cullimore in third.

Oh, amazing stuff here.

It takes all types
to conquer this course.

We'll have more for you on
Australian Ninja Warrior shortly.

Still to come...

Up, up, up, and he's away!

..the first competitor
to beat the wall.

Yes, he's done it!

'Deadly Ninja' Jack Wilson
is one of the big favourites.

Can parkour twin Brodie Pawson
go further than his brother?

And right now in the warm-up area
is French firey Aurelien Apport.

He's on the course
when we come back.

BEN: Welcome back to Ninja Island,
where, before the break,

we saw a gutsy effort
from WA chippie Sam Goodall.

FREDDIE: Banged his head
on the wheel.

And he became
the first semifinalist tonight

to make it all the way
up the Chimney Climb.

Absolutely terrific!

REBECCA: Up next,
all the way from France,

Aurelien Apport,
a former fireman and paramedic.

And wait till you take a look
at this bloke.

Can he go all the way

in the semifinals
of Australian Ninja Warrior?

Aurelien qualified
from heat five in 12th spot

after completing the course in 3:23.

(DRIVING ROCK MUSIC)

Come on, Aurelien.

What amazing strength to drag
his own body weight up there!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

You're the man, Aurelien!
You are the man!

Come on, Lien!

Wife Caroline and stepsons
Ryan and Billy

will be hoping Aurelien
can keep going.

And, Freddie, you remember this
bloke from the heats, don't you?

FREDDIE: I tell you what,
I remember these abs right now.

Absolutely massive!

Look at the shoulders,
look at the size of him,

but it's not always an advantage
on this course.

You gotta drag it all the way round.

Yeah, 'massive' is the word, Freddie.

He weighs in at almost 100kg,

and he's a freak on this course.

He is. He is indeed.

He showed in his heat
that he has the strength, Ben,

but he's gonna need more than that
to get into the grand final.

One down.

But he moves onto the Log Grip.
He hasn't seen this before.

He takes a fair grip around it.

Holds on.
Makes it across.

Onto the Spinning Log now.

Not an easy exercise
for the big guys, this one.

Easier for the little fellas who've
got that low centre of gravity.

Light feet! Light feet!

Is he gonna be too heavy
for the Spinning Log?

AUDIENCE: Aurelien!
Aurelien! Aurelien!

No! No! Oh!
Oh, no!

Aurelien gone!

He just had too much weight
to get him across that log.

Aurelien's second step
started that log spinning.

He couldn't rebalance in time
for his next step,

so that rolled him off the log,

and after a heavy impact,
he was in the pool.

Oh, my god.
Look what they've done to you.

That looks like it's a pretty
tough pole to get over, literally.

As we bid au revoir to Aurelien,

our next competitor
could not be more different.

Yeah, that's right - long and lean.

Music producer Ben Polson was one
of the fastest in the heats.

He used to be a 'Ginger Ninja',

but dyed his hair because
he reckons blonds have more fun.

Now, he had fun in the heat.

He got up the Warped Wall.

How will he do right now
in the semifinals?

MAN: Music production has been
a huge passion of mine

for about five years now,

and it kind of
lets my creative side out.

I feel like I've always
kind of stuck out,

whether it's the ginger hair
or the white hair or being 6'4".

He's pretty tall.

What the? Holy... What?

He didn't even run up to it.

I'm warmed up, I'm ready, and
super excited to be in the semis.

Obviously it's a great deal
to make it this far.

I've got all the hopes that
I'll make it even further,

but I can't let it get to my head.

You know, I wanna be the guy out
that which kind of proves to people

that you can be whoever you want,

and at the end of the day,
you can succeed.

And earlier tonight,

Ben ran the sideline for his mate
Adam Chatfield,

and it's good to see that Adam
is returning the favour now.

Come on, buddy!

Well, I think we're about to see
Ben Polson smash this course

and go all the way up the Chimney.

Funny you say that.

I've got a really good feeling
about Ben Polson.

I wonder if you do at home as well.

Well, we did until you put the
Bec hex on him, the Maddern curse.

Now, the Log Grip.

He's done that wall.
Yeah, Ben!

FREDDIE: No problems whatsoever.

This is the one, though -
the Spinning Log.

This is the one the ninjas
worry about, but look at that,

using his big long legs
to skip across.

Nicely done. Nicely done.
Now the Jump Hang.

He's 6'4"
and that's an advantage here.

Yes!

Now, he's working his way
down that net.

At 3.5 metres,

it's as much about concentration
and coordination as anything else.

Keep your feet up.

Just needs to keep his back up.
He is long.

He's getting closer and closer.

Doesn't want to get stuck here.

Reaches out
with one of his long legs

and the other one comes up as well,
and he's through.

Righto. Now it's the Big Wheel.

We saw Sam Goodall
in strife here earlier,

but amazingly, Ben is more
than a minute inside Sam's time.

See how the height
is an advantage there.

He didn't have to take too much
energy to get off the mini tramp.

Grabs a hold of the second wheel.

And now it's time
for the big transition.

Come on, Ben.
Oh, yes!

Oh, he grabbed it, let go of it,
then grabbed it again.

It doesn't matter. He now needs
to focus on the dismount.

Sweet!

Has a look at the Warped Wall.

We seem to have got here
very quickly.

AUDIENCE: Beat the wall!
Beat the wall!

And now Ben Polson -
first time lucky!

Ben Polson!
Yeah!

Three obstacles left
for the music producer from WA,

and the crowd is beginning
to get excited.

On to the Swinging Spikes.

And keep your eye on that clock.

He is 2:00 faster than Sam Goodall
at this point.

Look at how high he is,
the arms still at 90 degrees.

Plenty of power there.

When you see the arms go straight,
that's when they're tiring.

He hasn't done it once.
Now the dismount. Nice work.

Now he takes a breath

and contemplates the obstacle,
the Pole Grasper.

He's only the second ninja
to get this far tonight.

He's nice and high, Ben.

He is, and again, that height
will be an advantage here.

He's got that big wingspan,

and he's getting a perfect grip
with the feet.

He seems to be doing it smoothly.

Easy, Ben!

Oooh, although a little bit
of a slip there.

Ben, have a look
at that core strength, though.

To get your legs up nice and high,

and to maintain that height
takes skill.

One more, one more.
Oooh!

One more!

Oh! Oh, his heel
was right over the end there.

Half a foot hung over the edge.
Yeah.

But he's OK,
and for just the second time tonight,

we get a look at the Chimney Climb.

You need plenty of grip
going up this Chimney Climb.

This is unnatural, for a human being
to be in a chimney

and expected to pull
all your weight up seven metres.

Yeah, but if anyone can do it,
he can.

He's streets ahead
of Sam Goodall's time.

Can he make it all the way?

He is doing it, Ben.

Five metres. Six metres.

Seven metres.
Yes.

All the way to the top.

Oh, ho!

There he is - Ben Polson.
What a run!

Yes, the fastest time of the night
by over 3:00,

and one step closer
to Mount Midoriyama.

That was absolutely incredible.

Told you I had a good feeling
about this guy, Ben.

Yeah, you were right.

His run had the perfect combination

of speed, power, reach,
and mental toughness.

Maybe he rode his luck a little
on the Pole Grasper dismount,

but all in all, that was about
as good as it gets.

You're one of our tall competitors.

Do you think that helped you
on the course?

Obviously my 6'4" height
is gonna help with a lot of this,

but it was a lot more tiring
than I anticipated.

So, once again
I'm underestimating the course,

but I'm glad I got through.

You say it was a lot more tiring
than you thought,

but you did get the fastest time
of the night so far.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

That's an amazing thing, to get
the fastest time of the day so far.

Hopefully it holds up that
the next time I talk to you,

it's at the top of that mountain.

I would love that.

Just one thing -
that hair dye is fooling no-one.

I can see the ginger on the side.
You're one of us.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ben Polson.
Well done, mate.

Still to come on Ninja Island,

'Tarzaniel' Daniel Weston has all
the confidence of youth on his side.

The thing I'm bringing to
the semifinals that no-one else is

is raw talent.

Feels, like, real natural.

Didn't have to train
to do anything I can do.

And it's time to show
exactly what he's got.

Whoa!
(SHRIEKS)

And warming up right now
is a man with a point to prove.

Brodie Pawson is on the course
when we return.

BEN: Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior

and the last of the semifinals.

While you were away,

we saw two more ninjas pit themselves
against this monster course.

44-year-old Hungarian gymnast
Farkas Pungur

came dressed as an Egyptian pharaoh.

FREDDIE: Oh, no, Farkas!

And it wasn't long before his
grand final hopes were history.

And Luke Williams showed his mettle.

Here he is, the South Australian,
and he's straight up.

REBECCA: Oh, the power!

Ultimately making it
all the way to the buzzer.

Yeah!

He barrels the Chimney
and he's one step closer!

What a run!
Take stock, fellow ninjas.

Yeah!

But on the course right now,

there's something
pretty special going on.

Tom Hazell, a truckie
from Northern NSW,

is currently making his way
across the Pole Grasper,

but that's not the half of it.

He's closing in on the night's
fastest time of 4:40,

set by Ben Polson.

Look at him go.

You'll remember Ben's very tall,
6'4".

Tom here is only 5'8",

but it's not slowing him down
at all.

He's negotiated the Pole Grasper
in almost record time.

Here's the dismount.
WOMAN: Go, go, go!

Yes! No mistake.

The truckie from NSW
is straight to the Chimney Climb.

And have a look at the clock.

He's only one second behind
Ben Polson at the same point.

4:40 - the time to beat.

He's at the three-metre mark

and he's got ten seconds from now

if he wants to achieve
the best time of the night.

Come on, Tom.
Six metres. Seven metres.

He's going to make it.
Will he get there?

Will he beat
the best time of the night?

He's one second outside it,
but what a run.

Sensational.

That was absolutely amazing.

What a nail-biter.

But after that close shave,

music producer Ben Polson hangs on

to top spot by just one second.

Luke Williams has leapfrogged

WA chippie Sam Goodall into third,

while Perth boat detailer

Adam Chatfield is hanging in there

in fifth position.

I'm excited
about our next competitor,

because it is Brodie Pawson.

He and his twin brother, Dylan, were
easily the fastest in the heats,

but we've already seen Dylan
come unstuck on the Spinning Log.

Can Brodie prove once and for all
that he is the fastest brother?

We're about to find out.

The twins finished first
and second in their heat,

Brodie finishing
eight seconds behind his brother.

Yeah, buddy!

Speaking of, there is Dylan.

We were all so shocked when he
crashed out after just 22 seconds.

Now the pressure is all on Brodie,

but he's got all the tools
in the kit to tame this course.

Yeah, here's the Log Grip.

Dylan struggled here, but Brodie
is through without a hiccup.

Quick steps, quick steps!
Come on!

Here we are now at the Spinning Log.

This was Dylan's downfall.

Come on, Brodie. Oh, no!
He's come off at the same spot.

Oh, damn!

FREDDIE: The log takes no prisoners,

That Spinning Log seeing the twins
off this evening.

Stuffed up exactly
where I stuffed up.

Oh, that's incredible -

the Pawson brothers
coming off the Spinning Log

in almost identical fashion.

Both were in trouble
right from their second step.

Both tried to outrun the spin.

Both dumped in the pool.

Is there anything you two
don't do together?

Twins, mate! It's twins!

What advice did Dylan give you
going into this?

Oh, he said just go fast,

and I tried going fast,
and quick steps,

but, um, far out.

Yeah, well, we've enjoyed having the
two of you on the show this year.

Congratulations.
Go and join your brother.

Ladies and gentlemen,
big clap for Brodie!

The twins went out
on exactly the same obstacle.

What are the chances?

And just like that,

two of the big favourites are out
of the running for the grand final.

Our next ninja
is another big favourite.

Daniel Weston, known as Tarzaniel,

and after watching him
swing his way through the heats,

we're on the edge of our seats
to see if he can do it again.

He was an enigma in the heats,

going all the way
up the Warped Wall,

finishing in second spot,

with just Ben Polson
beating his time.

MAN: The thing
I'm bringing to the semifinals

that no-one else is
is raw talent.

Feels, like, real natural.

Didn't have to train
to do anything I can do.

He's lanky, he's lean, and he's on
the top of the Warped Wall!

I hit that buzzer in the heats.

Just felt like everything in my life
had just pulled together

and brang me to that moment.

Oh, usually I'm just cruising
around, climbing trees,

playing in my backyard on the bars.

I don't go to gym,
I don't do CrossFit or anything.

So, to win this,
it'd be the best feeling ever,

'cause it'll just prove
gym's not everything.

He's a lunatic, this bloke.

Mum, Michelle, Uncle Glenn,
brother, Jacob,

ready on the sideline.

I love this kid,

and I say 'kid'
because he's only 19 years of age.

I think that is incredible.

To be standing in the semifinals
as a genuine contender

is quite remarkable.

Yeah, second only to music producer
Ben Polson in the heat,

and he'll have him
in his sights tonight.

Skips through the Quintuple Steps
as if they weren't even there,

and at six foot, his reach should
help him here on the Log Grip.

Not a problem there, Freddie.
FREDDIE: Nonchalantly.

Didn't even grip onto the log
with his feet. Come on, Daniel.

Oh, my word.

Skips across... the Spinning Log,

which has found so many out tonight.

Here he goes onto the net.

Look at the big wingspan, and keep
an eye on that clock as well.

You gotta be careful
about every move,

but you've also gotta
be conscious, Bec,

of what's happening on that clock.

Well, you are racing the clock, and
he's doing it well at the moment.

He is a full 20 seconds faster
than Ben Polson was at this point.

WOMAN: Keep it high!
MAN: Stay high!

Stay high, Daniel!
Keep your hair up!

Careful.
Head up! Head up!

That hair could be a problem.

Keep it up! Keep it up!

Oh, that was the hair
in the swimming pool almost.

Take your time, Daniel.

Coming up to the 1:00 mark.

He's got a big smile on the dial,
but this is the Big Wheel.

Nice jump.
Grips the first one.

Gets ready to swing onto the second.

Big swings.

He needs to keep that momentum
to get onto the third wheel.

Oh, yep.

That surprised him a little bit,
I think,

because that wheel swings
on a pendulum.

Now he needs enough momentum
to make the dismount.

Takes his time a little bit,
but now it's exit time,

and Daniel Weston shapes up,

takes on and beats the wall!

FREDDIE: Now it's the part of the
course which he's never seen before,

but I'm guessing he's not bothered.

Put whatever you want
in front of this young lad

and he'll take it on.

Does he have the energy,
does he have the stamina,

just to keep on going?

We want to see him in the grand final
of Australian Ninja Warrior.

Imagine at 19 years of age
beating all the big guys,

beating every single person
who stands in his way.

Well, he wants to beat all the gym
junkies, and he's doing -

careful on that one -
and he's doing that right now,

swinging from the air
just like Tarzan

and doing it with incredible style!

Yeah, Daniel!

Whoo!

Daniel Weston - two more to go!

Yeah, here we go.
It's the Pole Grasper next.

He's almost a full minute faster
than Ben Polson,

because he's taken no time
to get a breath.

He's so young, I suppose.

He's just got that natural energy,

switching and changing
and moving between these poles.

Using his feet very well.

Gripping on, taking as much load...
Oh, he's slipping down.

..off on his feet
as he possibly can.

Get up there, Daniel. That's it.

Pulls himself up.

Uses all of his strength
to pull up his body weight.

Swings around on the last pole.

He now just needs to navigate
the dismount.

Oh!
And he can't.

He's in the pool! Daniel Weston!

Damn, Daniel!

Oh, Daniel was beginning to tire
on the last pole.

Facing side-on to the mat,

he pushed off from the final pole,

but didn't get enough height
or distance to clear the water.

He got a toe onto dry land,
but couldn't save himself.

He's still smiling, though,

but I think Daniel will be
disappointed he fell short.

The good news
is that he was so quick

to reach the penultimate obstacle

that he stands a good chance
of making the top seven.

Still to come
on Australian Ninja Warrior,

the Deadly Ninja,
Jack Wilson is on a mission.

But I'm doing it
for my Indigenous heritage.

Can he reach the ultimate challenge,
Mount Midoriyama?

Failure - it's not an option.

Jetskiing plumber Ryan Solomon
is hanging on for the ride.

Have a look at the muscles, the pecs.
It's all working.

And 31-year-old gymnast
Celeste Dixon

is hoping she sizzles on the course.

Bring home the bacon.

Bring home the bacon.
I like bacon.

You'll be OK, girl. You'll be fine.

BEN: Welcome back to Ninja Island,

where it's the third semifinal

and the last chance
for our competitors

to qualify for the grand final.

So far tonight,
WA chippie Sam Goodall

pushed himself through the pain
barrier to conquer the course.

REBECCA: Parkour twins
Dylan and Brodie Pawson

shocked everybody
by crashing out at the same point.

And Perth music producer Ben Polson
looked awesome

as he posted the fastest time so far.

Right now in the warm-up gym
is plumber Ryan Solomon,

putting the finishing touches
to his prep.

He'll be hitting the course
very soon.

Up next is South Australian gymnast
Celeste Dixon.

She produced a spectacular
heat performance,

but came unstuck
on the Double Tilt Ladder.

Come on, Celeste! Come on!

She made it to the penultimate
obstacle in heat one.

Was unlucky not to go all the way,

eventually making it through
in 16th spot.

WOMAN: I'm in the semis.
I'm very shocked.

I didn't think I'd get through.

Could she be on her way
to the Warped Wall?

My heat was really good,

but it all went wrong for me
on the ladder transfer.

Bring home the bacon!

Oh, look at this.

I reached, I grabbed it, I got it,

and I think I shocked myself
that I actually got it,

and I let go. (LAUGHS)

Oh! Oh!
Oh, oh! Oh, no!

It happened so quick.
You can't change it.

You wish you could, but you can't.

Strategy for tonight would be
grip harder and fly further.

Steve, her dad, there, with
Celeste's brothers, Ewan and Roddy,

and friend, Megan.

This fantastic gymnast
from South Australia.

All of Adelaide,
all of SA at the moment,

cheering her on.

We want to see a female competitor

get all the way
to the top of that Chimney

and into the grand final.

Celeste Dixon -
5'3" in the old scale. 57kg.

Come on, Celeste. Come on.

She's gonna have to really work
at getting a good grip.

Ahh, she doesn't know
which one to take.

Do I take the far one
or the closest one to me?

She's gone for the uneven grip,
which we don't see a lot of.

Don't like the look of that, but...

She's gonna have
to hang on for dear life.

Oh!
She wasn't able to.

Celeste Dixon finds the pool
on the Log Grip.

Poor old Celeste.

She couldn't decide which handhold
she was most comfortable with,

and by selecting an uneven grip,

she made it harder
for herself to hang on.

She also didn't grip the log enough
with her legs,

which would have helped her
stay out of the water.

It's been really good to be one of
only six girls to make it this far.

It's a huge achievement.

My wingspan is this big
and the guys' is that big.

(LAUGHS) So, it's good.

OK, here we go -
our next competitor, Ryan Solomon.

He's a plumber
who loves riding jetskis.

Now, during the qualifying,

he completed every obstacle
in front of him.

He'll be looking to do the same right
now in the semis.

He was impressive
in the heats,

making it all the way through

with a little hiccup
first time around

on the Warped Wall,

but he was able to get up
on his second attempt

and qualify ninth.

AUDIENCE: Beat the wall!

Pretty pumped to make the semis.

It was pretty nerve-racking
through the heat.

Attempt number two, and he's there!

Just an unreal feeling, getting
to the top of that Warped Wall,

and I reckon it went just about
as good as I could hope.

I spend my life in the water,
on the water, around the water.

So, when it comes
to the Ninja Warrior course,

the last thing I wanna do
is be in the water.

And just like he did in the heats,
Ryan whips off the T-shirt again.

Oh, don't you love it?
And Amy does as well.

There's his girlfriend.
Very vocal supporter.

Ryan's mum and dad are there too.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Ryan's six foot and nearly 90kg,

and we've seen some of the bigger
ninjas struggle tonight, Ben.

He'll be hoping to buck that trend,
and now the Log Grip.

He's got fantastic core strength,

and the size helps on some obstacles.

It can be a hindrance on others.

Here he is - legs wrapped around it.

Makes no mistake of that one.

This is different, Freddie.

This is a big challenge,
this next one.

FREDDIE: Oh, sleepless nights
about this obstacle.

Needs to get some speed.
Come on, Ryan.

Oh, starting off slow,
but he's sure-footed.

Don't matter how you get across,
just get across it.

Ryan Solomon completed his heat
with little fuss.

He didn't get too caught up
in the moment,

and I think that's exactly his
approach in the semifinals.

Well, he's a Queenslander,

and that's the kind of
Queensland approach.

No nonsense,
just get the business done,

and have a look at all of those
muscles in that body

as he negotiates his way
down this cargo net.

Well, he's used to working hard.

He's a plumber,

and all the way through
this competition, remember,

the tradies,
they have been outstanding.

MAN: Yes!

And his time is looking
outstanding as well.

He's neck and neck with Ben Polson.

And here he goes.
Now taking on the Big Wheel.

The first Big Wheel.
He's got two more to conquer.

Let's go! Grabs onto the second one.

AMY: Come on, baby!
You've got this!

And this third one
acts like a pendulum.

Needs to get it moving

so he can find the distance
he needs to get onto the mat.

Oh!

Did he hurt his ankle there?
I think he did.

I think he hurt his ankle
on the dismount.

Is that going to cause him trouble
going up the Warped Wall?

AUDIENCE: Beat the wall!
Beat the wall!

I hope not,
but I think you saw already

he struggled a little bit
with the wall in his heat.

2:00 on the clock at the moment,
and he's... Yes!

Yes! Whoo!
He's there.

Good work, baby!

He's still pretty cautious
on that ankle, you can see.

You'd think
it'd have to slow him down.

4:40 is tonight's fastest time,

but right now,
Ryan just needs to keep moving.

AUDIENCE: Ryan! Ryan!

And here he goes, making his way
through the Swinging Spikes.

His time is good too.

He's the fastest to this point,
but can he keep that going?

Ryan! Ryan! Ryan!

All of a sudden, he's got his back
turned on the next spike.

He's gonna have to work out
a way around that, and he does!

He turns the body around,

and finds enough room
to grab a hold of it.

Whoo! Yes!

Up high, babe! Up high!

Up high, Ryan. Up high.

Here's where the ankle
might come into play.

Most of our competitors
use the ankle.

They use the feet to grab the bottom
part of these poles,

although this is another strategy
we've seen some of them doing.

Instead of grabbing it
on either side of the pole,

they're pushing
from one to the other.

We've done this plenty of times!
You've got this!

FREDDIE: As you get tired, you do
start to slide down the poles.

Give yourself
as much height as you can

so if you do start slipping,

you're high enough to give yourself
a little bit of room.

Incredibly, despite that ankle,

he is still on track to beat
tonight's fastest time.

He's got 1:10 to get up that Chimney
to the buzzer,

and he is not giving up, Ben.

The face is the giveaway, though,
at this part of the obstacle course,

and he has started to show
that he's struggling a little bit.

The brain's saying, "I just need to
get one foot following the other,"

and he does.

Here we go.

Just seven metres
separating Ryan Solomon

and a chance of reaching
the grand final,

and a crack at Mount Midoriyama.

This is his moment to shine.

Ryan Solomon, 28 years of age.

A plumber by day,
and he takes on the Chimney.

OK, 4:40 the time to beat.

This is gonna be close.

He's really getting pushed
to his limits at this point.

Four metres, five metres!

Can he keep going?
The ankle must be screaming!

Seven metres. He's at the top there.

Eight seconds to get to the buzzer.

His body is absolutely screaming,

but he's got just enough left
to get himself through the hole.

And he's done that.
He's on top of the world.

Hits the buzzer and finishes
only four seconds behind Ben Polson.

Catapults himself into the final
of Australian Ninja Warrior.

Ryan Solomon, that was a masterclass.
Well done.

Oh, what a magnificent run

by one of the fastest tradies
in the competition,

and look how he rolls his ankle
on the dismount from the Big Wheel.

Anyone who's done that
knows how painful it is,

but he battled his way through
the next three obstacles,

up the Chimney for the third fastest
time of the night.

What a phenomenal effort,

and you can see why Amy and
the family are so proud of Ryan.

Whoo!
Whoo!

Let's take a look

at the top three places

on the leaderboard.

Separated by just four seconds,

music producer Ben Polson

still on top,

with truckie Tom Hazell

and Ryan Solomon close behind.

Tradie Sam Goodall drops

to fifth position,

while West Australian boat detailer

Adam Chatfield is hanging on

in seventh.

And heading to the course right now
is the Deadly Ninja Jack Wilson.

He's the final competitor
of the night,

and he'll be hoping to force his way
into that top seven

when we return
on Australian Ninja Warrior.

REBECCA: Welcome back
to Ninja Island,

where our last semifinalist
is ready to take his run

at a grand final spot.

BEN: Here he is - the Deadly Ninja,
Jack Wilson.

A 24-year-old carpenter
from Mount Isa

who turned his life around

and graduated from
the Indigenous Marathon Project.

Jack made it all the way
up the Warped Wall in heat one,

sending out warning signals
to the other ninjas

and qualifying in fifth place.

MAN: Coming into the competition,

I'm not only doing it for myself,

but I'm doing it
for my Indigenous heritage.

I've gotta make them proud.

So, I wanna really make an impact
and make a statement tonight.

Up, up, up, up, and he's away!

Yes, he's done it!

The feeling of hitting that buzzer
at the end of the heats was unreal.

Ladies and gentlemen, the first ninja
to complete the course.

Felt like a rock star.

Rob de Castella
was one of my mentors.

He's definitely the man
that made me the man I am today,

and one thing he told me is harder
the struggle, greater the triumph.

So, coming into the semifinals,

there's no way I'm failing tonight.

And take a listen to the noise here
on Ninja Island.

Lots of support, including
mum, Debbie, and brother, Mick.

FREDDIE: Oh, my word. They are back.

Just when I'd forgotten
about the budgie-smugglers,

they are back on the starting gate,

and, yes, Jack Wilson
is back inside them.

Whoo! Go, Jack, go! Whoo!

And we're off.

The last run of the semifinals,
Jack Wilson.

Has he got what it takes to go
all the way to the grand final?

We are about to find out.

WOMAN: Stick like glue, boy!
Stick like glue!

Finishes the Quintuple Steps.
Now it's time for the Log Grip.

There's not a lot of him.

MAN: Come on, let's go, brother.
Come on! That's it! That's it! Oh!

Oh, whoa!

Oh, he's home. He's alright.
Oh, well done.

That was close.
Here we go on the Spinning Log.

Come on! Come on, boy!
Come on, boy! Yes!

And he's just across!

That's the way! Come on!

Finishes it with a forward roll.

FREDDIE: Here comes Jack
onto the cargo net.

Didn't use his hands, used his arms.

Pushed his hands
through the gap in the net

and clung on for his dear life.

Keep it tight! Keep it tight!

One of the characters
of the Australian Ninja Warrior.

Flew through the course first time.

Wanted to do that this time,
but it's a little bit harder, Jack.

Them budgie-smugglers, they're gonna
be under a little bit more pressure,

and talking of pressure,
them smugglers aren't baggy.

They're not sagging down,
they are skin tight!

(CHUCKLES) His time at this moment
is the fastest of the night.

Look at that!

He's agile, he's a cardio monster.

Fantastic power-to-weight ratio,
but this is a brand-new obstacle.

We can't underestimate something
like this, the Big Wheel.

Tests out the trampoline,
has a bit of a look either side.

He wants to make sure
of what he's about to do.

I tell you who won't be missing
Jack Wilson's run tonight,

and that is the great
Rob de Castella.

He was his mentor,

and he'll be watching
with great interest

into how Jack Wilson goes tonight.

Onto the first wheel.

Look at him -
he's looking at the crowd.

Unbelievable!

Even has time to look
into the crowd,

saying, "Look what I've just done."

Oh, he landed a bit high there.

Almost hit his head,
like Sam Goodall did earlier.

Good transition!
MAN: You got it, Jack!

It's not just strength here,
it's strategy as well.

Your brain has to calculate
what you need to do

to get your body to the mat.

Oh, yes!
Beautiful!

He's got a smile,
and he's straight up the wall!

No break! Straight up the wall!

All smiles on top,

but looking at the clock, he's
30 seconds slower than Ben Polson.

Will he make the top seven?

That's what we're all wondering,

but when you have a look at him,

he's got
all of the ingredients for it.

That core strength.

All of the muscle
right in the middle of the body.

Yeah, but he's also not heavy.

He's 74kg,

and that's a great
power-to-weight ratio

to get yourself through
the Swinging Spikes.

Come on, boy! Come on!

Here he goes on the rope.

Makes his first grab of a spike.

Come on! Come on!

Oh, come on!
Is he just toying with us?

He's feeding off the crowd, I think.

He grabs onto the spike
that's got a bit of bungee,

bit of elastic in it.

He's getting closer and closer to
the end of this brand-new obstacle,

but look at his face now.

He's a bit worried, I think.

He's struggling.
His arms are fully extended.

FREDDIE: Come on, Jack.
Swing off onto the mat.

MAN: Flick, bruz!

Yes, Jack Wilson!

He's through the Swinging Spike,

and now from the Swinging Spike
onto the Pole Grasper.

Oh, yeah!
He seems really confident.

We haven't seen too many competitors
through the entire semifinals

that have had time
to look into the crowd and say,

"Hey, I'm on the Pole Grasper

"and I'm feeling pretty calm
and confident."

Look at the legs work as well.

Every muscle of the body
being utilised here.

MAN: Easy, Jack!
Oooh! Oh, oh, oh!

He's slipping! He's slipping!
He's getting close to the water, Bec.

Feet up! Feet up!

He needs to get off really...
Oh, he's touch the water!

I have no words, Ben.

He was so confident,
maybe too confident.

Jack Wilson did not make it through
the Pole Grasper.

Jack started low,

but looked like he had enough
strength to make it through.

One lapse in concentration.
There it was.

And all of a sudden, he's in strife.

It was going so well.

You was cruising through the course

and then just dipped your toes
in the water.

Yeah, didn't realise I was too close
to the ground there.

I should've gone up a bit further,
but never mind.

I felt really good out there.
The crowd was behind me.

I felt... I felt very strong.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Well, you must be happy
with your work.

An amazing effort
to get that far on this course.

Oh, mate, I'm so grateful
to be here.

This is an unbelievable experience.

This is amazing.

My biggest fans are right next to me
right here,

and, yeah, I'm happy
with my achievements tonight.

Top man, and we've all loved seeing
your achievements as well.

Ladies and gentlemen,
let's have a big round of applause

for the great man Jack Wilson.

Well done, buddy!
Gutted for you, mate.

After an amazing night of action,

we finally have
our last seven qualifiers

for the Australian Ninja Warrior
grand final.

Music producer Ben Polson

leads the way,

closely followed by surprise package

Tom Hazell in second.

Plumber Ryan Solomon is third,

while gym owner Luke Williams

and chippie Sam Goodall

fourth and fifth.

Tarzaniel, Daniel Weston,

remains sixth,

but Jack Wilson does just enough

to snatch seventh spot to book

his place in the grand final.

No doubt who tonight's
Performance of the Night goes to -

Ben Polson, the music producer
from Western Australia

with a pitch-perfect performance

and the fastest time of the night.

Bravo, Ben.

Wow, I've been blown away.
What a night.

No doubt about it, Bec.

We had some spectacular performances,
some heartbreaking failures,

and you know what,
the crowd has been extraordinary,

because they have pushed these ninjas
every step of the way.

Freddie?

Ben, it has been
a phenomenal display.

Ninja after ninja has stood up
to be counted.

They know the grand final beckons,

and with that,
a chance of making history

as the very first
Australian Ninja Warrior.

Tomorrow night, the grand final,

and the fury of the full Australian
Ninja Warrior course awaits.

17 obstacles must be conquered...
Oh!

..to earn a chance
at Mount Midoriyama.

Oh, no!
So tough.

Across the globe,

it's taken up to seven seasons
for someone to reach the top

and claim the prize,

but Australian ninjas
have proved they're different.

Andrea Hah creates history
on Australian Ninja Warrior.

From 250 everyday athletes,
only 21 remain.

It really is the fittest
and the fastest.

They have triumphed over obstacles
in their lives...

MAN: 18 months ago, I broke my neck.

JACK: Growing up
in Indigenous community,

there's a lot of drugs.

SAM: Broke my right leg and doctors
said that I could lose it.

..and on this incredible course.

The fastest time of the night!

I've never seen anyone
do that better!

They are the best of the best.

Mount Midoriyama awaits...
tomorrow night.

That's all for tonight.
Next time, it is our grand final.

We can't wait.

New obstacles

and the chance for someone to try
to conquer Mount Midoriyama.

Don't miss it!
Goodnight.