All language subtitles for Australian.Ninja.Warrior.S04E01.WEBRip.9Now.en

(ETHEREAL MUSIC)

(DISTANT CROWD CHEERING)

BEN FORDHAM: These obstacles
have created legends.

REBECCA MADDERN: Charlie Robbins,
you are unbelievable!

BEN: But after three extraordinary
series,

the holy grail, Mount Midoriyama,
remains unconquered.

In 2020, it's time to climb
the mountain.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Yes!

FREDDIE FLINTOFF: Look at him,
flying through the air!

MAN: Mount Midoriyama...
WOMAN: We are coming for you.

Oh, my goodness me!

That's what I'm talking about!

This lad isn't one of my favourites.

He is my favourite.

BEN: The heroes return once again
to finish what they started.

MAN: I've come for that redemption.

Oh!
Oh, he's made the leap!

Watch out, buzzer,
you're going to get hit.

BEN: But a new crop
of everyday Australians

are gunning for the title.

WOMAN: I'm going to be Australia's
first female ninja warrior.

MAN: I've set a world record
at Mount Everest base camp.

I'm originally from Ireland
and you probably won't understand me.

You'll have to subtitle most of this.

Maybe I could channel the rat vibes
when I'm on the course.

FREDDIE: Man or monkey?

He does know we're filming this,
doesn't he?

BEN: And for the first time ever,
it's ninja versus ninja...

..facing off on the all new
Power Tower...

That is massive.

FREDDIE: Only two can compete
against each other.

..for a game-changing advantage.

REBECCA: We've never seen
anything like this before.

BEN: And it all leads to this.

Climb Mount Midoriyama

and they could take home
a massive $400,000 jackpot.

I'm gonna hit that buzzer.

BEN: In our new Melbourne home...

Welcome to Melbourne,
the sporting capital of Australia.

Whoo-hoo!

..Shane Crawford joins
the all-star commentary team.

That is incredible!

I can't believe what I'm seeing!
He's a grandad, this lad.

BEN: Tougher...

REBECCA: He's off!

He's in the water.
He's gone.

Oh! You little ripper!

BEN: faster...

Oh, look at that!
Oh!

Talk about fast.

Look at this guy fly!

She's got one eye
on the Power Tower.

BEN: more powerful!

REBECCA: This is a woman
on a mission.

Unbelievable!

BEN: Legends will be made,
destinies will be fulfilled...

..in the quest to be
the first Australian Ninja Warrior.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Welcome to Melbourne,
the sporting capital of Australia

and an all-new season
of Australian Ninja Warrior,

and welcome to my co-host tonight,
Shane Crawford. How are you, mate?

Ben, this is awesome.
Can't wait to be a part of it

and really looking forward
to meeting our 2020 crop of ninjas.

BEN: We appreciate you coming
off the bench tonight, Crawf.

Bec can't be with us just yet.

She'll be back on board very soon.

As you can see, we've got
a great crowd in

for the first heat of season four

and they are going to be making
plenty of noise.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Mate, you've had a look
at the course.

What do you reckon?

It's unbelievable.
It really, really is.

It's huge. I've only seen the course
on TV before.

But up close, it's amazing.

BEN: Yeah, these season four
obstacles are phenomenal.

Some never seen before.

Now, we know that Mount Midoriyama
towers above the course.

It's the ultimate goal
of every ninja.

But standing in their way
is an exciting brand-new challenge

and that is the Power Tower.

Freddie Flintoff
has had a look at it.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Ben, Crawf,
how good is this?

The Power Tower is new
for this series

and it is unbelievable.

It stands four stories high

and is going to be the toughest
of tests for even our best ninjas,

and for the first time
on Australian Ninja Warrior,

our two fastest ninjas tonight
will go head-to-head.

Now, that's not just
for bragging rights.

In this ninja showdown,
the fastest on the Power Tower

will take a crucial advantage
into the semifinal.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: That advantage could make
all the difference

because this season's
grand final winner

will walk away with $100,000.
That's guaranteed.

And that's just for starters.

If a ninja can conquer
Mount Midoriyama,

something no one's been able
to do in three seasons,

they'll be crowned
Australia's first ninja warrior

and win a carryover prize
of $400,000.

That's what's up for grabs.
But to get to the Power Tower,

our ninjas are going to have
to absolutely smoke this course

and there are plenty of traps on it.

Let's have a look
at what they've got to face.

SHANE: Six of the toughest
obstacles in the world

stand between our ninjas
and the semifinals.

First, the Quintuple Steps.

Each 1.5 metres apart to cross
without touching the water.

BEN: Next is the first
of two new obstacles,

the Tic Toc to Net.

Ninjas will use the mini-tramp

to bounce onto the Tic Toc
pendulum

then leap onto the cargo net
and hopefully climb to safety.

Obstacle three, an old favourite.

The Bridge of Blades.

Four large blades
on a central axis to get past,

each spinning as soon as any weight
is placed on it.

The Doorknob Drop is our second
new obstacle and it's a nightmare.

On the first door,

ninjas must use their grip
and upper body strength

to move across eight
small red doorknobs,

the last four, on an incline.

The door then drops over a metre,

forcing ninjas to support
their entire body weight

as they make the treacherous
transition onto the second door

where they'll have to do it
all over again.

The penultimate obstacle

is the Double Squirrel.

A familiar sight in the semis

but this year, we're doing it
in the heats.

Starting from a fixed bar,

ninjas must swing and lache
across two squirrels,

the final lache is bigger than ever;
3.6 metres.

SHANE: The iconic Warped Wall

is the sixth and final obstacle
in the heats.

Ninjas have three attempts

to overcome the 4.25 m curved wall
and hit the buzzer on top.

(HORN SOUNDS)

Tonight is the first
of the four heats

with only the top 16 from each heat
making it through to two semifinals.

BEN: Following the semis,

our grand finalists
will then take their shot

at Mount Midoriyama
and that incredible $400,000 prize.

Let's not keep our ninjas
waiting any longer.

I'm not waiting any longer either.

It's time for our first ninja
for 2020.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

My name is Skye Haddy
and I am from Gold Coast, Australia.

It's such a beautiful place to live.

It's just great to get outdoors
as much as you can.

Sometimes people may underestimate me
and I love to prove them wrong.

I told the careers advisor at school

that I wanted to run away
with the circus.

They said it'd never happen.

So, that's exactly what I did.

(DRAMATIC CLASSICAL MUSIC)

I ended up performing overseas

in a touring circus,
touring all around Asia.

It was super, super cool.

Performing in the circus

really taught me how far
I can actually push my body

and I know I've got everything
I need to conquer the course.

Tonight, I want to surprise everyone.

I want to show everyone
what I can do.

I would absolutely love
to be the first up Mount Midoriyama.

That would be the absolute
ultimate dream.

On the start line is Skye Haddy.

28-year-old from Queensland.

Ex-gymnast, ex-cheerleader

and also circus act.

You've got to think she's
well equipped for this.

SHANE: And there's Skye's family.

Mum, dad, fiance Michael,
and sister, Jade,

who will be on the course later.

BEN: Yeah, right now though
it's time for Skye.

Season four's underway.

She launches herself at the first
obstacle, the Quintuple Steps.

She's got five steps,
1.5 metres apart

and she's almost through
obstacle number one!

SHANE: And here's the first
of our new obstacles,

the Tic Toc to Net.

She's got to use that tramp
to get onto the swinging pendulum

and then time her jump
onto the cargo net.

Aim high!

Aim high is the call
from the sidelines.

BEN: It all hinges on hitting
that tramp perfectly.

Here she goes.

FREDDIE: Bounces.

Oh, good save!

There's the acrobat
flying through the air.

Using that upper body strength.
Just watch those feet in the water.

Any part touches
and it's a disqualification.

But she's through now.

About to take on
the Bridge of Blades.

Go, go, go!

Use your hands! Good effort.

SHANE: Three obstacles down already.

What a start
for the first run for 2020.

BEN: Yeah, Crawf, Skye is 49 kg

and that might help her
here on the Doorknob Drop.

There are 16 knobs to get across.

It's all about upper body
and grip strength.

How's she going to go?

FREDDIE: Not much body weight.

Strong power to weight ratio.

She's got to keep grabbing
those red knobs

from one to the next.

SHANE: Oh!

BEN: Oh, she's handling it so far
but she slipped down a knob.

She needs to get
to the two top knobs.

And then those knobs...

SHANE: Come on, Skye! Reach!
BEN: It'll drag down the door.

Hang on, Skye!

Yes, she does!

This is going to be crucial now.

The turn.

You've got to twist the body around

and be able to nail it
with one grab.

If you can't oh, she's done it!

BEN: Can she do the transfer though?

BEN: Yes!
SHANE: Well done, Skye!

BEN: Skye Haddy!

She exhales and I don't think
she can quite believe it.

Oh!

Can you believe it?
She hits the water.

But that was a phenomenal effort.

Skye Haddy had something special.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Here, Skye, get yourself a towel.

How was that obstacle?
That is so tough.

Oh, yeah, it's definitely tough.

I did not expect those doorknobs
to be so hard to hold onto.

Just slipped off that last one

but I definitely gave it
everything I had.

And was the advice
from the sidelines helping?

Because there were some noises
coming out of your family

I've never heard in my life before.
(LAUGHS)

To be honest, I think
when I'm on the course,

I'm so in zone.

Like, I can hear noise

but I'm just, like, focused
in my own head is what I'm doing.

So, yeah, I heard some,
"Don't give up"

and that kind of stuck with me

and that was the best advice I got,
I think.

OK. Well, it's a great effort.
Cheers, Skye.

You go get yourself dry.
Thanks very much.

BEN: Good stuff, Freddie.

Well done, Skye.

Big start to season four

but keep in mind
the strongest challengers

are still to come

and this is the toughest course
we've ever seen.

SHANE: Our next ninja is a young man

used to overcoming challenges
in life

including autism spectrum disorder.

As a newcomer last year, he waltzed
his way into the semifinals

and into everybody's heart.

It's Max Closter.
Come on, Max.

Hey, everyone!
It's Max Closter again.

I'm all pumped up ready to go

for season four
Australian Ninja Warrior.

Let's go!

Last year was amazing.

Like, I was just like a nervous
18-year-old kid.

Go for it!

Go big!

Whoa! Easy! Easy.

I not only overcame the confidence
with the course...

BEN: This kid's got confidence.

..I overcame the confidence

with talking in front of,
like, the whole of Australia.

Back before grade four,
I never used to talk at all

because it was that hard for me
to pronounce things.

WOMAN: He's had a lot of struggles
with OCD

and autism spectrum disorder.

He did nine years of speech therapy

and we used to worry 'cause Max
would never talk.

Now, we have to tell Max to shut up
'cause all he does is talk.

Everything's all technique.
That's it.

MELISSA: But he's grown
into a beautiful young man,

a very social young man.

(LAUGHTER)

Where I'm at right now

and looking back how I was,
it's just unbelievable.

FREDDIE: Returning semifinalist

from season three,

Max Closter from Melbourne.

He says he's grown in confidence

since last year.

He's been training harder

and he's hoping to go one further
this time.

Not the semifinals,
he wants the finals.

But there's so much in his way
between now and then.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: And there's Max's mum, Mel,
and dad, Les,

hoping for big things tonight.

You've got this, Max!

BEN: 19 years of age.

Max Closter, here he goes
on the first obstacle

and so far, so good.

SHANE: Slow down.
BEN: Now he's just got to...

Oh, no!
Oh, what?

Max!
He's gone!

Oh, my goodness!

Max Closter, one of the stars
of last year's Ninja Warrior

is out on the very first obstacle.

SHANE: This is heartbreaking.

He was so focused,
he wanted to go all the way.

But one simple mistake and he's out.

You're alright, mate!

BEN: And there's some shocked faces
in the crowd.

Nobody expected that, Freddie.

Max, there's a towel.

Come here. Do I have to ask
how gutted you are?

I'm really, really devastated
how much work I've put into this

and just things got into my head

and I was trying to keep things
straight and I just was shaking

and I just needed to get past
that first obstacle

and just got things in my head
and I just...

Yeah, I just fell off.

But just try to keep positive.

Awesome to have this second chance

and yeah, I'm just bummed out

that I didn't get the chance
to go all the way through and yeah.

I don't think we've seen
the last of you, have we?

Well...
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

I will rise back up.

I tell you that. I will rise
and never give up till I'm done.

Until everything's finished.

Mate, nobody's going to buck
against that.

Your family and friends
are waiting round there.

Great to see you.
Unlucky tonight, mate.

SHANE: Unlucky, Max.

But he'll be back stronger
than ever.

It just goes to show you,

one mistake on this course
and it's all over for 2020.

BEN: Let's just hope our next ninja
takes that lesson on board.

Righto. Get ready for some grunt
on course now.

One of our heaviest ninjas.

105 kg of pure power.

You're going to love
this man mountain.

SHANE: Thought you were talking
about me.

No, mate. Watch this.

This bloke is fuelled exclusively
on a plant-based diet

and I would hate to be a plant
when this ninja gets hungry.

Give it up for Jacob Hohua.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Have a look at him.

Yo! What is happening,
Ninja Warrior.

It is your boy, Jacob Hohua,
the plant-based gorilla.

I decided to give up meat
when I was competing in strong man.

Alright. What we have here

is basically what I would consume
in a week.

Becoming plant based definitely
has changed my life.

I feel like I have more energy.

I feel more in tune with myself
and I just feel overall happier.

This meal right here
is just under 1,000 calories.

I can eat anywhere
from five to 7,000 calories a day.

Lots of fruit, lots of veggies,

beans, lentils, quinoa, rice, pasta.

(GRUNTS)

Eight.

Nine.

JACOB: People definitely judge me
when they see me.

You know, with the tattoos
and the beard

and I think I get a bit
of that sort of bikie stigma

but I'm definitely not like that.
You know, I'm a big teddy bear.

I'm here with my beautiful fiancee,
Bev,

and our little baby
in the oven.

We've got a little baby girl
on the way.

I just want to set a good example
for her

and, you know, know that she can do
whatever she wants, you know,

and achieve anything.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Wow! Jacob Hohua.

Look at you, son.

Geez!

You don't even eat
meat.

How'd you do it?

Broccoli, bro.
Broccoli?

(LAUGHS)

You'd be eating a forest.

Maybe that.

Seriously, this lad.

Plant-based diet.

Jacob, have you seen
the screen over there?

There's somebody who wants
to watch you.

She can see you. Give her a wave.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: That's Jacob's fiancee, Bev,
via video link from the Gold Coast.

Let's hope Bev doesn't put him off.

Now, I can't focus on the course.

Not quite what I thought
he was going to be, this lad.

A bit of a gentle giant, isn't he?

They say you can't judge
a book by its cover.

(STARTING TONE)

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Jacob Hohua
onto the course.

BEN: With all 105 kg
thumping into these pads.

And the first obstacle's done.

Now, this is going to be
interesting here, Crawf,

because this is a big jump
for a big man.

SHANE: Yes, and it's all about
momentum

and you want to have that swing

and you've got to gear around
the front of it very, very quickly,

so he's assessing and he's going.

Come on, Jacob. Don't fall P

oh, I thought he was going
to go then.

Just leaning back a little bit.

He'll have the weight
to get that going.

Big jump off.

Hanging on for dear life.

Just glances at the missus
on the big screen

as he gets under the cargo net.

Needs to pull himself underneath.

There we go. Pull yourself up,
Jacob.

Safely through.

BEN: Jacob Hohua
makes it past obstacle two.

Next, the Bridge of Blades.

SHANE: Now, this is going to be
very, very difficult

because you've got to have
real balance,

you've got to be light on your feet
and 105 kg, that's going to move.

FREDDIE: Every obstacle
for the heavy lads

is that little bit trickier.

I tell you what, he's going to take
some stopping if he gets going.

Go, Jacob.

BEN: Are they going to move
too quickly on him? Oh!

SHANE: Well done, Jacob!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Just taking his time
a little bit.

SHANE: He's OK. Now, this is going
to be the real test.

Did you see it all just shudder?

Just gathering his breath.

Just taking his time.
Picks a towel up, wipes his hands.

Come on, babe. You can do it.

FREDDIE: Don't want sweaty mitts
on this.

BEN: He's having another look
at the Doorknob Drop.

Jacob Hohua

is up that pole and reaching
out to the first door.

Can he hold all 105 kg?

He's got to now go up.

He's got to go up that door.

This is going to be hard.

You can see already it's a lot
of weight to be carrying.

FREDDIE: This is where he'll start
burning,

this is where he'll start hurting.

One more to grab and then it's
going to come down.

He's going to feel the full
weight of his 100 kg.

It comes down. Look at him.
He's so strong.

BEN: But can he make the transfer?

Can he turn and twist and do it
all again, Crawf?

This is our heaviest ninja.

Oh!
Oh!

And right then our heaviest ninja
cops an early splash.

What an effort from Jacob Hohua.

But this obstacle is already
proving a big, big challenge

for both the biggest
and smallest ninjas.

Jacob, you was bit worried
on the start line

putting Bev on the screen
might've put you off.

Yeah, man. Nearly made me cry.
Big baby. It's good to see her.

We've got a little baby on the way,
so yeah,

just got a little bit emotional
but I was really happy with that.

On the doorknobs, did you think
that was going to be a problem

with the weight and size of you?

Yeah, definitely.
When it dropped down,

I didn't even have my grip properly.

So, that sort of threw me off a bit.

That's all good. These things happen.

Mate, it's great to have you
on the show.

Awesome.
I'm sure your missus there

wants to say hello to you

and good luck with the little one
coming.

Great to meet you, mate.
Cheers. Thanks, bro.

Top, man.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: Great effort from Jacob Hohua

but will it be enough to make
the top 16

and qualify for the semifinals?

We'll find out later.

You're watching a brand-new season
of Australian Ninja Warrior.

There's more to come
right after this.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Tonight, for the first time ever,

it's ninja versus ninja
on the Power Tower.

Who will rise to the challenge?

Ironman, Matt Bevilacqua...

Two-time grand finalist,
Josh O'Sullivan...

SHANE: Miracle mum, Tash Sergi,

Rock 'n' roller, Jess Daly...

The Barefoot Ninja, Dan Mason...

'Flashlin' Ashlin Herbert or...

(RECORD NEEDLE SCRATCHES)

..Monkey dad, Steve Taylor-Madin?

SHANE: Season four
of Australian Ninja Warrior

is underway with 160 ninjas battling
their way through four heats.

BEN: We're talking about
the strongest, fittest,

most agile everyday people

taking on the most impossible
obstacle course in the world

and waiting for the fastest two
at the end of each night,

the brand-new Power Tower.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Next on the course,
a Gold Coast legend of ironman

who's been racking up wins
since the age of 16.

Matt Bevilacqua.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

MATT: I love a challenge

and I think that's why I've achieved
so much in my career.

I love attempting it
with everything I've got.

COMMENTATOR: Big performance
from Bevilacqua.

And he paddled away
from the best field we've seen

in a long, long time.

I'm an Ironman champion.

Five time world paddleboard
champion, world record holder.

COMMENTATOR: Matt Bevilacqua
will take out round five

of the Nutri-Grain Ironman series.

MATT: Being a sponsored athlete
is an amazing privilege

and I get paid to go around
the world

and attempt these crazy challenges,

from being towed into a wave
with a helicopter

or paddling into Australia's
heaviest wave.

Look, like any massive challenge,
it's never smooth sailing.

You have to just get back
on the horse and have another crack.

Ninja Warrior's just the next
challenge.

I love conquering these things
and I love testing myself.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: At the start line, a lad
we are expecting big things from.

An Ironman, a proper athlete.

It's Matt Bevilacqua.

Competed in Ironman
since he was 16,

won numerous championships.

You've got to think this lad's
got a chance

of getting to the top
of the warped wall.

Go, Matt!

SHANE: And that's girlfriend,
Brielle, on the sideline.

A champion ironwoman
in her own right.

(STARTING TONE)
BEN: OK, Matt Bevilacqua.

He's on the course
and a cautious start.

SHANE: He's tall at 181 cm,

so he's got the reach

and he's made it through the steps.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Matt's used to being
in the water.

Won't want that tonight.

Just checking out the trampoline.

BEN: That costs you a bit of time
but he wants to make sure of it.

Grabs a hold of that Tic Toc
as it's known

and well, he's not going to be
able to move around too quickly.

SHANE: You've got to go quick,
you've got to go quick.

BEN: I don't know. He's going
to be chewing up too much time.

Oh, he just hangs on!

SHANE: He is an ironman.
He's just taken it on.

It's not about technique,
it's just about courage and effort.

BEN: Well, we know he's got plenty
of that, Crawf,

as he makes his way across this net.

Get that foot out of there, Matt.

SHANE: The Bridge of Blades.

If he can get through
to the Bridge of Blades.

Get that foot out.
Oh, hang on a moment.

"Hang on, I'm hooked!"

Matt Bevilacqua losing
precious seconds on the cargo net.

He's through now
and the Bridge of Blades,

here he goes, straight through!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Next up, the Doorknob Drop.

SHANE: So far, nobody has made it
past this.

Can the Ironman be the first?

FREDDIE: Just tying his shoelaces.

Good idea, safety first.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING):
Lets go, Matty! Let's go!

Not a small lad, Matt,

and he'll have to lug that big body
of his knob to knob.

Got all the credentials to do well
on Australian Ninja Warrior.

But it's putting them all together
at the right time is what counts.

BEN: He doesn't look entirely
comfortable.

He's struggling to find the right
grip by the looks of things.

He might be in a bit of strife here,
our ironman.

Oh, he is!

SHANE: Well, he does like the water.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
BEN: Matt Bevilacqua.

Another victim on the Doorknob Drop.

This thing's becoming
a ninja killer.

Matt just wasn't sure of the best way
to get onto the knobs.

Now, the most effective way
is to use the flexible pole

and use the long reach to get
the second or the third knob.

Instead, he grabbed the first one
with his right hand

and that forced him to cross arms
with his left

and that turned him around
the wrong way and sent him down.

SHANE: Great effort from Matt
but it goes to show you

how tough this course is
in season four.

We've taken it to a whole new level.

BEN: Next, time to welcome back
one of our favourite returning ninjas

who's inspired us all
with her fighting spirit.

She never gives up and if she needed
any extra strength tonight,

for the first time ever,
her two beautiful children are here

to watch her live.

Please welcome Tash Sergi.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

TASH: My whole life I've tackled
adversity.

I had ovarian cancer when I was 17.

I lost my ovary and fallopian tube
and I had chemotherapy.

But I've been clear from cancer
for 15 years now.

Since then I've been living
a happy, healthy life.

I have two beautiful boys,
I recently got engaged as well.

But I find out couple of weeks ago
that I've got skin cancer.

Um...

Um... Sorry.

It's a squamous cell carcinoma

which can be quite deadly
if it spreads.

To hear that word again is...

I never thought I would.

I'm currently in the process
of getting treated.

I feel positive about it, you know?

It's just another obstacle.

Tonight, when I run the course,
I am doing this for my family.

We're playing hide and seek.

Found you!

(LAUGHS)

What are you doing?

It is the first year that my kids
are going to be on the sideline.

With that extra support,

I know I can show Australia
what I am truly capable of.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: This here's
the miracle mum, Tash Sergi.

Go, mummy!

Family, kids in the audience
for the first time.

Got to the semi-final season two

but was disqualified.

Now, she'd love to go further
tonight,

get to the top of that warped wall

and press the buzzer
for the first time ever.

She's never pressed the buzzer.

As she enters the course,
starts on the Quintuple Steps.

Just bouncing from one to the next.

Everybody cheering on
this amazing lady

as she comes through
the Quintuple Steps nice and safe.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: It means so much to Tash
to have her two boys here tonight

and getting bits of advice
on the sideline.

Tic Toc to Net next.

SHANE: Big bounce,
get around the front

and then onto the net.

Beautiful jump!

She quickly gets around,

she's got to go for it
right this one.

Go for it, launch and away you go!

She's done it!
Get a hold of it, Tash! Yes!

Oh, this is fantastic.
Look at her kids.

They are absolutely pumped for Mum.

Come on, Tash, get yourself up.

A bit caught in the net

but she'll get herself through
and over to the side.

Drop those legs down
and you're there!

Well done, Tash!

BEN: Good on you, Tash.
One of her boys, Jackson,

has started doing some
ninja training as well.

So, he's watching on at the moment
thinking,

"Well, this might be me
in ten or twelve years from now."

But at the moment,
it's about the Bridge of Blades.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
SHANE: Crowd's getting into it.

Here she goes. Beautifully done!

Light on her feet.

She will not take no for an answer.
Don't you worry about that.

FREDDIE: Now, she's been on the show
before

but this is an obstacle
she would never have seen before.

The Doorknob Drop.

One of the toughest obstacles
we've ever seen

in Australian Ninja Warrior
in the heats.

She now grabs the pole.

Just needs to pull herself up

and then grab the first
of the big red knobs.

Onto the first one.

This is such a tough obstacle.

All our ninjas tonight
referencing this one...

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

..saying it just catches
up with you.

Burns the arms, burns the fingers.

BEN: Look at the upper body strength.

SHANE: She's just working her way
to the top so quickly.

It comes down!
Hang on.

Twist that body round.
It's really tough here

'cause it's at least a metre
and a half to reach around.

She's done it beautifully.

BEN: Look at the momentum she got
going with the feet there

to really push herself along.

'Cause she doesn't have the big
wingspan that other ninjas have,

and now, she's got to go up
that hill again, Crawf.

SHANE: Come on, Tash!

BEN: She's burning a bit, I think.

SHANE: She is. This is where
they all start to burn

but look at that determination.

You can see P
Oh!

Bad luck, Tash.
But that was just incredible.

What an effort.

Her kids will be so proud.

She should be so proud of herself.
What an awesome effort.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Tash. This obstacle looks
so, so hard.

I think we've got it on a replay
just behind us.

If you want to talk us, what's going
through your head at this point?

Look at the reach.

Like, that's a huge move to go up
and in that position.

Yeah.

I don't know. I just...

That side felt good

and by the time I got
to the other side,

I was just feeling the pump
and couldn't quite make that reach.

'Cause you talk mental strength

as just as important
as physical strength.

But that tested everything.

Oh, yeah. Mentally, this is the best
I've felt.

So, I'm glad I didn't go out
from a mental error.

That was physical error.

I'm pumped, man.

No, it's great to see.
The family are waiting round there.

I'm sure you want to go round there
and see them.

Tash, always good to see you.
We'll see you again, I'm sure.

Thank you.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: And there's Tash with her boys.

They'll be so proud of their mum.

Even if she's wet.

I think you'll all join me
in wishing Tash

all the best with her health
in the future

and we will be back after the break.

SHANE: Next, he represented
Team Australia around the world.

Josh O'Sullivan ready to dominate.

She's back on a mission
in season four.

WOMAN: Tonight, I want to be
the fastest female.

I'm going to go for it.

SHANE: Cian Maciejewski.

And Ninja Warrior's
first dungeon master,

Melbourne's Jake Baker.

JAKE: A dungeon master
is a storyteller.

For our weekly Dungeons and Dragons
game.

Waiters! Waiters!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Welcome back to Ninja Warrior

where our ninjas are striving
for a top 16 placing

and with it a ticket
to the semifinals.

Tonight, two fastest ninjas will go
head-to-head on the Power Tower

with a crucial time advantage
going to the winner.

SHANE: During the break,

three more ninjas
rose to the challenge.

Rock 'n' roll dancer, Jess Daly,
made a big entrance.

BEN: Oh, look at this, Crawf.

Is it these ones? Is this what we do
when it's rock 'n' roll time?

Bring it on, baby.

SHANE: But when it came
to the Tic Toc,

she rocked a little too hard.

BEN: Oh, no!

Then two-time grand finalist,

Ryan Solomon, started his campaign...

Now, he makes the reach
and the transition is almost...

..complete!
Oh!

But he's gone!

..followed by 23-year-old

costume and role-play fan,

Sophie Newcomb.

SHANE: How on earth is she going
to get back on top

and then onto the net?

BEN: She's got to find a way
back onto the Tic Toc, Crawf.

Oh, no!
Oh, hang on!

This is going to be...

She's hanging on for life
and it is over!

OK. Up now, an aviation firefighter
with a smoking hot ninja resume.

A two-time grand finalist

who finished last year
in the top five.

He's one of the best.

Josh O'Sullivan.

JOSH: This year, I am learning
all the skills

that it takes to become
a qualified aviation firefighter.

You've got to stay cool
under pressure.

Pretty similar to Ninja Warrior.

I feel like I've changed
my whole life around Ninja.

I've been training really hard,
I've stepped it up.

I'm in the zone, I'm peaking.
I'm ready to go.

Last year, I was one of the final
five

and then I was in Team Australia
in 'USA vs The World'.

AKBAR GBAJABIAMILA:
Great body control.

He's all-around athlete.

JOSH: I've proven that I can
stick it out with the big boys,

so I feel like I'm in
with a big chance again this year,

and I'm ready to set this course
alight.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Another returning favourite
to Australian Ninja Warrior.

He's been with us all four series

and yet to fail an obstacle

in the heats.

This lad is one to watch.

He'd have visualised this course
so many times,

visualised himself at the top
of the warped wall

pressing the buzzer.
(STARTING TONE)

I think he's going to go for speed.

I think he wants to go
on the Power Tower.

BEN: He's never fallen in a heat
or in the semifinals.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
Can you believe it?

Don't do it tonight, Josh.

SHANE: He looks like he's ready
for this course.

Knows exactly what he's doing.

Gives it a good swing here.

He's going to launch into that net.

Beautifully done, in full control.

BEN: Yeah, it's early days, Crawf,

but you can already see
Josh means business.

FREDDIE: How he would love to make
it another time in the grand finals

and go one further.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

As he comes to the Bridge of Blades,
safely through.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Barely touches those blades.

Now, the Doorknob Drop

which has been a troublemaker
for a lot of our ninjas.

SHANE: Can Josh O'Sullivan
be the first to beat this obstacle?

BEN: All hands and arms
and upper body strength

and you've got to go up that hill
on the first door.

Then get to the final two knobs
where the door drops down

and then the transition
onto the second door,

and if you think it's all over,
you've got to ascend once again!

SHANE: Oh, he's off!
BEN: Oh, no!

Oh, what was happening there?

That's a big shock.

One of the favourites is gone

and one of the keys to beating
the doorknobs

is to rhythmically rock
from left to right

to reach from one to the other.

But he seemed to lunge
to reach each one

and that put more pressure
on the arms, increased fatigue

and it caught up with him.

So, down he goes.

Josh, big surprise.

I don't think anybody
saw that coming.

Yeah, a bit shocked to get out there.

Hopefully, it's enough to get
through. We'll see what happens.

That's the first time you've failed
in one of the heats on any obstacle.

Oh, tell me about it.

Yeah, it's not a nice feeling,
definitely, falling in the heats.

Could be the end of me this season.
We'll see what happens.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

It'll be an anxious wait
but fingers crossed you get through.

Cheers, pal.

BEN: The Doorknob Drop
has no respect for reputations.

Josh is a two-time grand finalist

but in season four, he's in danger
of missing out on the top 16.

There's a chance he won't qualify
for the semis.

SHANE: This course is so tough
tonight.

Let's see how our next ninja
tackles it, Ben.

JAKE: My name's Jake Baker

and I'm a dungeon master
from Melbourne.

OK, who's up next?

(WITH CHARACTER VOICE)
Good day, sir.

Might you be the army?

Have you come to help?

A dungeon master is the storyteller

for our weekly
Dungeons and Dragons game.

If any harm should come to my goods,
it shall be detracted from your pay.

The dungeon master controls
where you are,

what happens, the monsters,

the scenery, all of it comes together
to try and make for the best gaming.

Waiters! Waiters!

I've always been big into,
you know, fantasy genre,

'Lord of the Rings' type stuff.

I've always found it really cool.

Oh, no.

No harm must come to me.

Sardinius is not to be touched.

I don't know how many other ninjas
are going to be dungeons masters

or rat dads.

So, I've got three rats.

They're good support pets.

When you're done
after a long day of training,

you just want to veg out,
they'll do the same thing.

I think rats get a really bad rap.

They're actually really clean
animals.

They're extremely stealthy
and they're really good at balance.

So, yeah, maybe I could channel
the rat vibes when I'm on the course.

Ninja Warrior's an awesome chance
to test myself.

It's just this one moment in time

where you can just be the best
you can be.

All that preparation just goes
into one run on the course.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
FREDDIE: Here he is, Jake Baker.

Big fan of Dungeons and Dragons.

Plays all the time
with his little figures.

Looks after his rats.

Alright, where's the rat?

It's over there with Lachie.

FREDDIE: He loves that rat,
doesn't he?

Here we go. Anyway.
Never mind the rat, Jake.

This is your time to shine
on Australian Ninja Warrior.

(STARTING TONE)

BEN: Come on, Jake!

Look at the hop, skip and jump
through obstacle number one.

Steps no problem
and look at the big bounce.

On the Tic Toc

and now exiting
straight onto the net.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

I'll tell you what...

He's off to a red-hot start.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: He's flying through
and now for the Bridge of Blades.

BEN: Straight through, left, right,
left, right, done.

Three obstacles down
in about 30 seconds.

He's putting on a real show,
Jake Baker, at pace

but this is a nightmare.

The Doorknob Drop.

FREDDIE: Such a tricky obstacle,
this.

Hanging onto them knobs, pulling
your body up right to the top,

got to use every one of them
and now he drops down

and all the weight goes
through your shoulders,

through your fingers,

as you just transfer yourself
onto the next of the arms.

You see now, it's just starting
to catch up with him a little bit.

It's a fast time.

Just starting to concentrate now.

This is where the lactic acid
will be burning in the arms.

The forearms will be killing,
the biceps, the shoulders,

the fingers.

Just got to keep moving.

BEN: Has he got enough in the tank,
Freddie?

He drops down, hangs on

and for the first time tonight,

we have a ninja
through the doorknobs!

SHANE: This is incredible to watch,
Ben!

Where has he come from?

BEN: Well, he's come from Melbourne,
the 28-year-old,

and he's the first ninja to take
a look at the Double Squirrel.

SHANE: He's just got to find one
more huge effort with those arms.

Come on, Jake!

BEN: Could Jake be one of our ninjas
on the Power Tower tonight?

But first, he's got these monkey bars

and two squirrels
sitting in front of him.

The first one's the easy one.

This next one: 3.6 metres, the gap.

Will he land it? Will he stick it?

Come on!
I'm with him, I'm with him.

I'm backing him.
I think he'll get there.

He's going for it!

He's got it!
He's done it beautifully!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: 3.6. Not a problem!

And now for the Warped Wall.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Yes!

This is world-class.

Jake Baker from Victoria
says, "Here I come!"

He's done it!

He gets up the Warped Wall!

(HORN SOUNDS)

BEN: First attempt
like a rat up a drainpipe

and he's the first ninja
up the Warped Wall in season four.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
SHANE: Oh, wow!

Jake, congratulations, mate.

Thanks, Ben.

How are you feeling?

Actually, pretty gassed.

I was wondering if I was going
to make those last laches.

Put your hands together
for Jake Baker,

the rat-man of Melbourne.

I think consistent pace
was a key to Jake's success.

He was efficient,

he was rhythmic on the doorknobs

and that allowed him
to conserve energy

and therefore he's the first ninja
to finish the course.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: Smiles all round
for the Jake Baker fan club.

His mum, his mates,
and of course his favourite rat.

Let's head over
to Freddie in the warm-up gym

with last year's arch-rivals

and favourites to go head-to-head
on tonight's Power Tower.

Well, I'm stood here with Dan Mason
and Ashlin Herbert

and we're going to talk
about the Power Tower

'cause I reckon these two lads

are the favourites to be competing
against each other tonight.

What do you reckon, Ash?

Oh, yeah. That sounds fun.

(LAUGHS) Let's see if we get there.

If you did head-to-head with Ash,
who's winning?

Oh, probably me.

(LAUGHS)

I tell you what, you've grown a pair
this series, haven't you?

Come on, talk it up then.

Oh, no, I think we're definitely
going to see Ash there

but there's a lot
of good competitors

I'm going to have two beat
to be facing him.

But yeah, once we get there,
who knows?

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
SHANE: Do not go anywhere.

Heat one ninja action coming up
right after the break.

Still to come...

Can he make his daughter's dream
come true?

I'm going to get all the way
and hit that buzzer.

Monkey dad, Steve Taylor-Madin.

BEN: Last season's grand finalist,
Zak Stolz,

and his good mate
and fellow returnee, Dirt.

The bet is on tonight.

Beat his mates
or his head gets shaved.

BEN: Tonight's top two
furthest-fastest ninjas

will face off on the all new
Power Tower

for a game-changing advantage.

All thanks to Energizer.

(HORN SOUNDS)

Welcome back to heat one
of Australian Ninja Warrior 2020

where before the break,
Melbourne dungeon master, Jake Baker

completed his quest and became
our first ninja up the wall tonight.

He's there!
He's done it!

He gets up the Warped Wall.
(HORN SOUNDS)

Good on ya!

First attempt,
like a rat up a drainpipe.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: Hitting the course now
is a two-time semifinalist

who this year is determined
to crack a grand final spot.

This is Cian Maciejewski.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

CIAN: Getting married this year;
the best day of my life.

We just wanted a real little
gathering of family and friends

to be part of the love that we share.

Very special.

I'll always remember it

and we are starting a little family
of our own.

We are on a waiting list for IVF.

It is very expensive.

So, to make it up Mount Midoriyama

and get the 400,000 grand
would be beautiful.

Tonight, I want to be
the fastest female.

I want to even beat some of the lads
and be there in the top five.

I'm going to go for it.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Cian Maciejewski,
a strength and conditioning coach

from New South Wales.

She's been on the Ninja Warrior
course before.

She absolutely loves it.

BEN: Yeah, she does, Freddie.

Recently married to Tiana.

There she is on the sideline.

She's got a lot of support here
tonight.

I think she's what you Aussies
say, pumped.

(STARTING TONE)

BEN: Pumped is the word, Freddie.

Here she goes. Cian Maciejewski.

Her third crack at the Ninja Warrior
course.

You know, she's yet to hit the button
and she wants to change that tonight.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Now, just blitzing away.

Oh, she missed that
but she got away with it.

On her knees, she was.

Pushed herself to her feet

and now she propels
onto the cargo net.

BEN: She's five kilograms lighter
than the last time we saw her.

She's 63 kg these days.

SHANE: Which, when it comes
to Ninja Warrior,

that is just a crucial ingredient.

BEN: And she's determined, Crawf,

to be the highest ranked
female ninja this year.

Here she is under the cargo net,
just got stuck a little bit.

Just needs to untangle.

BEN: She moves off that net.

SHANE: Bridge of Blades.

She would've practised this
many a time.

That is great...
Oh, hang on a minute!

She overshot the runway.

SHANE: Into the Doorknob Drop.

That's how fast she was going.

Just take your time, make sure.

Oh, no. She's going straight in.

Grabbing the pole.

Takes a deep breath.

Higher!

Getting advice from her partner
on the sidelines.

Easy on the sidelines,
everybody knows how to do it.

It's when you're on the course.

I cannot imagine how hard this is.

Just go in the gym,
try and do a pull-up.

Never mind trying to walk
your hands across some doorknobs.

Unbelievable.

Just getting a little bit of tangle
here, Cian.

BEN: How's she going to go here?

SHANE: Yeah, just reaching
out for the first one...

BEN: She's in trouble.
..is hard enough.

She's in big trouble
but she's hanging in there.

Yeah, the longer she's up that pole,

the more fatigued her legs
are going to be.

She's struggling here.

It's OK! It's OK!

BEN: The clock is ticking

and Cian is stuck in no man's land.

She's going to have to have a go.

FREDDIE: She's going double-handed.

Here we go. From one to the next.
She's pulling it out of the bag.

This will be miraculous.

If she can get through this,

this is one of the greatest
comebacks of all time.

SHANE: She's fighting,
she's battling arm fatigue.

She wants this so much, Ben.

Oh, no!

BEN: Cian gave it her all

and when I thought she had nothing
left, she proved me wrong.

She had a bit more.

Well done, Cian Maciejewski.

Replay time.

This obstacle seems
to have everybody spooked.

Cian was tentative getting
onto the first doorknobs.

She was struggling with the burn
on the ascent,

then threw out her right hand
but missed the knob.

She just couldn't hold
herself up with one arm.

SHANE: Great battle from Cian
on an unbelievably tough obstacle.

I reckon she may well have done
enough to make the semifinals.

Let's see if our next ninja
can join her.

STEVE: I'm Steve Taylor-Madin.

I am 38 years old from Melbourne
and I am a stay-at-home dad.

So good in front of the camera.

(BELL RINGS)

Coming up to three months now
as a full-time dad,

and my daughter Evelyn,
she's ten years old.

I chose to be a stay-at-home dad

because Eve's a great kid
and I don't want to miss a minute.

Yeah, we're constantly doing
stuff together.

Go skateboarding, go scootering,
painting each other's nails.

Go to a playground
and swing off some monkey bars.

Because we're swinging around
all the time,

my daughter came up with the name
'Monkey Steve' and it just stuck.

I'd do anything for Eve,
even climb Mount Midoriyama.

100% running the Ninja Warrior
course for Evelyn tonight.

EVELYN: My dad's the best ninja

'cause he's so, so strong.

Tonight on the ninja course,
I just want to make Evie proud.

Good luck, Dad!

STEVE: She'll be on the sidelines
cheering me on.

I'm gonna hit that buzzer for her.

We'll do it for her, for sure.

FREDDIE: Here he is.
Steve Taylor-Madin,

a stay-at-home father from Victoria.

Daughter, Evelyn, calls him Monkey.

Go, Dad!

FREDDIE: Go on, the monkey!

Oh, he loves it, doesn't he?
Loves it, loves it.

He does know we're filming this,
doesn't he?

(STARTING TONE)

BEN: OK, here's another newbie.

Stay-at-home dad,
Steve Taylor-Madin.

He doesn't look like
your typical ninja

but don't let that throw you off

because he safely through
obstacle number one.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: A clap on the sidelines
from Evelyn and Steve's wife, Ruth.

FREDDIE: Now, needs to bounce
and grab the Tic Toc

and get himself somehow
onto the cargo net.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
Look at that! Steve!

He doesn't want to lose momentum,
got to keep it moving.

There he goes. He's straight on.

I tell you what, he might be
a surprise package, this lad.

Needs to watch them feet.
Look at that. Oh, easy, Steve.

SHANE: Keep them up.

BEN: Oh, he's OK!

SHANE: Doing it for all
the stay-at-home dads.

Good on you, Steve.

We believe. (LAUGHS)

BEN: Well, he's got the crowd
behind him as well and there he goes.

Fires them up, Crawf.
(AUDIENCE CHANTING)

He's enjoying himself
but that could all change

here on the Bridge of Blades.

No, he's sweet!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Looking good, Freddie.

FREDDIE: We've seen it
on every season so far.

We get these new ninjas
just pop up from nowhere.

Could Steve Taylor-Madin,
the 37-year-old from Victoria,

be this season's surprise package?

SHANE: But this is the Doorknob Drop

and only Jake Baker has been able
to get past this obstacle tonight.

Steve jumps onto the pole.

Here he goes.

BEN: And this is when that upper body
strength and that grip strength

will really be tested.

Now, this is going to be the biggest
challenge, I'd say...

SHANE: I'm a believer.
..of his night.

SHANE: I'm a believer in Steve!
You can do it!

BEN: OK, here's the transition.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

One arm on each and now makes
the transition.

FREDDIE: Seeing his face now though,

starting to get difficult,
starting to burn.

He's keeping his concentration.

The monkey noises have gone,
the impressions have gone.

All about getting
to this next platform.

Go on, Steve. Go on, Steve.

BEN: One more swing
and he's completed the Doorknob Drop!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: I tell you what,
I did not have him down for this.

I did not think I'd be talking
about Steve Taylor-Madin

on the Double Squirrel.

Can the monkey beat the squirrel?

BEN: He's gone further than some
of our most experienced ninjas

on this course.

We've had ninjas who've
been in grand finals...

STEVE: Let's go, Steve! Let's go!

..and they have not made it this far.

AUDIENCE (CHANTING):
Let's go, Steve! Let's go!

BEN: But Steve Taylor-Madin,
the stay-at-home dad from Melbourne

is now taking on the penultimate
obstacle, the Double Squirrels.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Here he goes with the swing.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
He's got the grab.

Now, he needs to drive
those hips up high

and get enough swing
for the next lache.

BEN: There's a big gap here.
SHANE: He's got to have a go here.

He's got to have a big swing.

Oh! He's done it!

That's a 3.6 m gap...

Come on, Steve!
..and he stuck it!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Oh! What a ripper!

Come on, Steve!

BEN: He knows!

He can be the second ninja
to complete the course tonight

but first he must get up that wall.

Now, Crawf, remind everyone
how high has he got to go?

SHANE: 4.25 metres
and I can tell you,

it looks a lot bigger
when you're down there.

Stay at home dads right around
the country, get off the couch,

get on your feet

and cheer on the monkey man

as he launches himself
at the Warped Wall.

First attempt, he's just short.

Now, what do you reckon, Crawf?

There's about two inches in that.

He needs to run up a little bit
further,

shorter steps and I reckon
he'll get there.

Steve, we believe in you, Steve!

Keep going! We're right behind you!

AUDIENCE (CHANTING): Beat the wall!

SHANE: Shorter steps! Keep running!

BEN: Here he goes!
The second attempt!

He's there!

He's up the wall!
He did it!

(HORN SOUNDS)

You absolute champion!

The stay-at-home dad,
monkey man from Melbourne...

SHANE: Yes!

..hits it and absolutely nails it.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Steve Taylor-Madin!

Wow!

Mate, how did that feel?

Oh! That is amazing.

In Steve we believe.
(LAUGHS)

Yes, we do.

Mate, congratulations.

Put your hands together for him.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

A great effort from Steve

and enough upper body strength
to get through the doorknobs.

Even after a stumble
on the Warped Wall,

he had enough in the tank
to make it on his second attempt

to become the second ninja
to hit that buzzer tonight.

Little Evelyn is so proud
of her monkey dad.

He's looking good for the top 16

and at the moment,
he's going to the Power Tower.

BEN: That's right, Crawf.

Dungeon master, Jake Baker,

sits on top of the leaderboard

and there's Steve in second.

Returnees, Josh O'Sullivan

and Cian Maciejewski

round out the top five.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: Let's catch up with Freddie
and three of our top ninjas

who have a bet on tonight's heat.

Either Dirt goes furthest
or Dirt loses his hair.

Freddie?

Well, I'm in the ninja gym backstage

and I've found the three lads

from Victoria's Mornington
Peninsula.

Zak, Dirt and Flash.

Sounds like a really bad law firm,
that. Doesn't it? Shocking.

But anyway, I hear tonight
there's a bit of a wager

running on this, isn't there?

Yeah. Yeah, there is.

Well, enlighten me, please, Ash.
We're not doing this again, are we?

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Either of them two beat me overall,
they get to give me the snip.

I think you've got
a bad deal in this.

You're not going to get
anywhere near this lad.

That hair is going, son.

We'll wait and see, eh?

Thanks for the faith.

Ashlin, words of wisdom.

Ah, yep.
None whatsoever. Cheers.

(LAUGHTER)
See you in a bit, lads.

BEN: Coming up, the race
to the Power Tower heats up

and the biggest names
hit the course.

Who will make the top two?

Dan Mason...

The Power Tower encourages you
to take a few more risks.

It's an awesome opportunity to get
yourself ahead in the competition.

..Zak Stolz...

ZAK: Having the Power Tower
this year's actually awesome.

It's all about being perfect
on the night.

..the Furbinator, Stewart Furze...

It's the first time
we've ever seen it in Australia

and it'll be interesting to see
who gets there.

..or Flashlin Ashlin Herbert?

ASHLIN: I'm still going to try
and go as fast as I can.

We'll see if we get there or not.

BEN: Find out when we come back.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior 2020.

We're at the business end
of heat one

with only the top 16
guaranteed a semifinal place.

BEN: And the two fastest ninjas
will head to the Power Tower

to race each other

for a crucial time advantage
in the semis.

Hoping to be one of them

is 30-year-old, Michael Mischefski

who's on the course right now.

He's a kids ninja coach

who lives in his trackie dacks

and so far, he's looking comfortable
on this course.

But now, it's the Doorknob Drop.

SHANE: He is light as a feather.

Look at him go.

The strength in his arms.

He is just absolutely crushing
this course as we speak.

Up to the top, it'll drop-down.

He'll twist around

and he has absolutely dominated
this section of the course.

BEN: Because he's a featherweight,
67 kg,

it's a bit easier for him to go
up that

but having said that oh!

SHANE: Look how fast he's going.
Oh, he's got it under control.

"Bring on the Double Squirrel!"
That's what he's saying.

BEN: Just takes a couple of seconds
to reset

and think about what's ahead of him.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: If he gets through this,
bring on the Warped Wall.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: OK, now he's got the big swing

from one set of squirrels
to the next.

BEN: He's got those knees,
those hips, those legs swinging.

He's going to get this.

This is 3.6 metres.

Oh!

Oh, wow!

BEN: That was a spectacular wipe-out.

I thought he was going
for a double backflip dismount.

BEN: I think he did!

SHANE: Wow!

What an exit!

(LAUGHS)

BEN: The key to a successful lache
is to drive the hips up

and then bring the upper body
into a sitting position.

Michael brought his upper body
forward too early

so he was almost horizontal
as he catches the handles

and his legs dislodged,

the grip gave way,
the rest is history.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Now, get ready for the first

of the Mornington Peninsula
'Peninjas'.

He made his debut last season
and blew everyone away

with his performance all the way
to the grand final.

Give it up for Zak Stolz.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

ZAK: The original Peninja
are myself, Ashlin and Troy.

(LAUGHTER)

I can't believe that worked!

It's not just like a ninja family.

It's more of a regular family.

Like, we always see each other,
virtually every day of the week.

Last season, it was very close
to the running of Ninja

that Dad passed away.

Obviously, it doesn't get easier.

You just sort of learn
to cope with it.

But all the Peninja are there for me
in that sort of regard.

We've become a lot closer for it.

Last year in the grand final,

stage two, slipping into the water
on the cat grab

was absolutely shattering.

REBECCA: Oh, and he fell!
BEN: Oh, no!

What a brutal fall.

ZAK: But I was really happy
with how I went.

I got to prove
that I can do this stuff.

This time round, I'm going to show
everyone I have what it takes

to get all the way
to Mount Midoriyama.

Here we go. One to watch, this lad.
Zak Stolz.

One of the Mornington Peninsula
crew.

Got his mates on the side;

Flashlin Ashlin Herbert and Dirt.

Remember the bet.

If Dirt doesn't beat Zak
and Ashlin,

I get the clippers
and shave his head.

Happy days.

Last year, Zak was one
of our fastest ninjas,

even going further
than his good mate, Ashlin Herbert.

(STARTING TONE)

BEN: He's been there, done that
but this is a whole new competition

and look at him blast
his way through.

He's already thinking
about the Power Tower

but this is obstacle number two,
the Tic Toc to the Net.

FREDDIE: Just takes one swing,
second swing on there,

reaches out for the cargo net.

Nicely underneath, Zak Stolz.

Hard to keep up with.

He's going for speed.
I'm going to get ahead of him

'cause he's going to blitz his way
through the Bridge of Blades.

He's not hanging around.

He's going for speed.

BEN: But already he's onto obstacle
number four in record time.

SHANE: Jake Baker has the fastest
time so far

with 02:25 and Zak is matching
that pace at the moment.

Can he keep it up
on the Doorknob Drop?

FREDDIE: Look at this. He's making
easy work of this.

So many ninjas have struggled
on this obstacle.

It saps all the energy,
all the life out of your arms.

Drops down. Just needs to manoeuvre
across now.

BEN: Perfectly timing the transition

and then you've got to do it
all again.

You've got to go up and up and up
and up and up again.

He's really working though.

He's really taking the big deep
breaths

and that's what you need to do.

He needs a couple more big efforts.

BEN: And it looks like all this
is starting to take its toll on Zak.

How's it looking
where you are, Freddie?

FREDDIE: Just easing up
a little bit.

Just starting to struggle
a little bit.

You can see the strain on his face.

But manages to get through just one
more lache onto the platform.

SHANE: He makes it
but that was tough

and he's over five seconds
down on Jake Baker now.

BEN: Here we go, Australia.

This is Zak Stolz.

One of the heroes of Ninja Warrior.

He's up onto the monkey bars

and now he's eyeballing
the first squirrel.

A 3.6 m gap between squirrel
number one and squirrel number two.

SHANE: Oh, look at that leg
and hip movement!

BEN: Look at the momentum!

And this is where Michael Mischefski
came unstuck.

Oh! I thought he was going to fall
short.

That is a tremendous catch.

That is the catch of the year.
That really is.

BEN: Watch this, Shane Crawford!

Zak Stolz up the top
of the Warped Wall...

(HORN SOUNDS)
..and he's absolutely blitzed

his heat, and he's blitzed
Jake Baker's time.

Zak sets the new fastest time
for the night.

SHANE: That's putting a bit
of pressure on Dirt.

Have a look at Dirt
and Flashlin Ashlin down there.

They're not only looking
at his celebration,

they're looking at his time as well.

The first ninja
under two minutes tonight.

He's on course for the Power Tower.

Let's have a look at the replay.

This was never-say-die stuff
from Zak Stolz.

He had to hang in there
on the doorknobs,

he made an incredible save
on the Double Squirrel

and then powered home
with time to spare.

He's the real deal this year.

FREDDIE: Zak, great run.
How was the course?

Oh, it was pretty good. It was fun.

And the little fella there, Dirt.
He's smiling.

But you have laid down
the gauntlet for him

'cause he could be losing his hair
very soon.

I'd love to see it, actually.

Dirt, how are you feeling?

Yeah, pretty nervous
after that run, eh?

Can't wait to take that hair.
Wash it first.

Ashlin, anything from you?

Didn't think so. Cheers.

Cheers, lads.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: Here's how the leaderboard
looks.

After that amazing run,

Zak Stolz is on top

and in place for the Power Tower,

and is followed by dungeon master,

Jake Baker in second

and Steve Taylor-Madin in third.

BEN: Josh O'Sullivan

currently sits in sixth position

with Cian Maciejewski seventh.

Tash Sergi rounds out the top ten.

Still to come,

Dan Mason, the Barefoot Ninja,
loosening up in the warm-up gym.

But up next, can Dirt save his hair?

Crawf?

Freddie's got the clippers.

Dirt's ready to go
like the clappers.

We'll see him run
right after the break.

SHANE: We're back
on Australian Ninja Warrior

and during the break
there was no rest for our ninjas.

BEN: Jade Haddy, sister of Skye,

our first Ninja of the night,

missed out on bragging rights.

Here she goes.

Coming onto the trampoline,
onto the Tic Toc.

Oh, no, no, no!

An absolute shocker!

Jade!

Ben: Then med student, Rhys Landwehr

made it all the way

to the Double Squirrel...

And here he goes.

Rhys the beast,
swinging in between, 3.6 metres.

Thought he was going to go.
This time, this is the one.

Away he goes. Oh!

Just fell at the last.

But that could be enough
to get through to the semis.

BEN: before double grand finalist,

Stewart Furze,

became the fourth ninja

to beat the wall
and finish the course.

Straight to the top, the Furbinator!

Pulls himself up.
(HORN SOUNDS)

Take a bow, Stewart Furze!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: That's why we love
the Furbinator!

Yeah!
You betcha!

The Furbinator heading
into the semifinal.

SHANE: Next is a returning ninja
from the Mornington Peninsula

who's hoping to prove
he's not hair today, gone tomorrow.

TROY: My name's Troy Cullen.

Most people know me as 'Dirt'.

I'm not the cleanest of blokes.

I just tend to get very dirty
very quickly.

It just gets everywhere.

So, I haven't washed my hair
since last season of Ninja Warrior.

BEN: And got to be light on the feet.

He's OK! No!

REBECCA: Oh, and it's over...
BEN: Close!

..on the third obstacle.

Dirt.
Dirt.

You'll be clean now.

Yeah, she's struggling.

So, this year, I've got
a bit of a bet with my mates,

Zak and Ashlin.

If I fall off before them,
there goes the hair.

It's getting the snip.

So, we've all really upped
our training this year.

I feel I'm the strongest
I've ever been.

I need to redeem myself
on the course.

Got the potential to go
as far as the boys

and this year, I think I'll do it.

FREDDIE: He is he is.
Troy Cullen AKA Dirt.

Gave a good account of himself
last year

on the Ninja Warrior course

but this time needs to go one better

because if he does not beat
his mates, Zak or Ashlin,

look what I've got
from my dressing room.

(SHAVER BUZZING)
That bar nut,

them dirty dreads are coming off.

Not sure he needs
the added pressure of this.

This course is so tough anyway.

BEN: 01:58 to beat if he wants
to be ahead of Zak

and save the hair on his head.

This is quite the ask.

(STARTING TONE)

Get the clippers ready. Here he goes.

The clock starts, the buzzer sounds.

SHANE: He's quick.
BEN: And obstacle number one is done.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Here he goes. Launches himself
onto the Tic Toc.

How quickly can he get onto the net?

It'll be the second swing
and he will exit.

There he goes.

Now, he's got to get up
that net quickly

because he's already five seconds
slower than Zak.

He's got a fight on his hands.

SHANE: Bridge of Blades,
flying right through.

The light weight there.

A real advantage for someone
a bit lighter and a bit smaller.

He's only 67 kg which helps

but now it's time
for the Doorknob Drop.

You can tell something's on this.

He does not want to lose
them dreadlocks.

Moving across now, shimmying across.

He's got to start pulling himself
up now, it starts to get tougher.

Reaches the last of the knobs
and then the arm will drop.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

And now got to move himself over.

Not the longest of arms, Troy.

Just weighing up
how he's going to get across.

Nicely done.
(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

The crowd right behind him.

Two mates on the sidelines
willing him on.

But he's starting to hurt.

BEN: Oh!
SHANE: He's off!

He's gone down into the pool.

The doorknobs have done it again.

Get the clippers ready, Freddie.

That's a tough obstacle that, Dirt.

So it was.

We've got a replay
just behind us here

if you want to talk us through it.

Yeah, so I reached up
and I just missed it

and at that point, I was like,
"Oh, you bloody..."

Think I just misjudged it a bit
and went a little bit smaller,

'cause it wobbles out a bit,
instead of overcommitting.

You think you were going a bit
too much for pace?

Trying to keep up with your man,
Zak?

No, I felt like my pace was OK.

Like, I don't think that got me.
I think it was just...

Yeah, honestly, I just don't think
I bounced up enough.

The only good news is

your hair hasn't been washed
for the past year.

It's got a little bit wet.

(SHAVER BUZZING)

If you'd like to pop round
my dressing room,

I can probably fit you in at about
quarter past for a quick trim.

Sounds good to me.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Not the result
Dirt was looking for

but he was fast
through the first part of the course

and that should see him
into the semis.

SHANE: Where he'll have a chance
to show off his new haircut

courtesy of Freddie Flintoff.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: OK. Our next ninja
is one of the greats.

He was equal furthest
in last season's grand final

but not fastest and he missed out
on a shot at Mount Midoriyama.

In 2020, he's determined
to go all the way.

Here he is. The Barefoot Ninja,
Daniel Mason.

DANIEL: Last season was amazing,

getting down to the final five,

only two obstacles away
from Mount Midoriyama.

REBECCA: The floating doors.

DANIEL: It was a huge year for me.

REBECCA: Daniel Mason
falls backwards.

DANIEL: This year, I'm head-to-head
with Ashlin

for the first time in the heats.

I've still been training
barefoot all year.

I've been working on my speed

so I might have a chance
at getting him.

It's a bit of pressure
right from the start.

Yeah, I'd love to get one up on him
early.

My wife's pregnant again this year.

The baby's due in ten weeks.

We got our little
two-and-a-half-year-old son,

Fletcher, getting excited
for a baby sister.

Me and my family are looking
to build a house

and winning the $400,000 prize money

would go a long way towards
helping us do that.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

FREDDIE: Here he is. Daniel Mason.
No stranger to Ninja Warrior.

Competed in all four seasons,
the Barefoot Ninja.

Last year, he came second overall.

He was the joint furthest
but unfortunately not the fastest.

He's desperate to win
this competition. Desperate.

BEN: And Freddie, here's how heat one
looks at the moment.

Zak Stolz leads the way

with the only sub-two-minute time

tonight.

Joining him on the Power Tower

at the moment

is a second-place, Jake Baker.

So, to qualify for the Power Tower,

Daniel Mason must beat
Jake's time of 02:25.

That's about 24 seconds per obstacle.

(STARTING TONE)
SHANE: Come on, Daniel.

BEN: He's kicking off
on the first obstacle

but right now, I can tell you,

he's not only thinking about
the Warped Wall,

he's thinking about the Power Tower.

He really came of age last year
finishing second.

He's one of the best.

Here he is, the Barefoot Ninja.

He's on the Tic Toc.

Needs to get onto the cargo net.

Big jump across, easily does it.

Not even using his feet,

just using his upper body strength
to get under the cargo net.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Just going to sprint straight
across the Bridge of Blades.

Come on, Dan!

BEN: Dan's wife, Maddy,
urging him on.

Three obstacles done
in about 30 seconds.

SHANE: Now, the Doorknob Drop.

FREDDIE: Making easy work
of the course so far

but take this obstacle easy
at your peril.

It's seen so many ninjas
off tonight.

Just around about this point
it starts to burn the arms,

starts to hurt the fingers.

Now, moving his way across,

just grimacing a little bit,
gritting those teeth, biting down.

You can see the veins in his arms
starting to pump,

the lactic acid starting to build

as he reaches for the last
of the doorknobs,

drops down,

lache across onto the squirrel.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Just crunching the numbers,

Jake Baker's time of 02:25
is in real danger here.

SHANE: The Barefoot Ninja
is on fire.

He really is going for that time.

BEN: Look at the big swing now.

Now, he's got the 3.6 metre jump.

He'll have no problem
with the length.

BEN: Can he grab it?
SHANE: Oh, yes!

Yes, he can.

One more swing
and he's onto the Warped Wall.

And there you go, Daniel Mason!

What a performance
from this champion!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Here he goes, straight up the wall,
the Barefoot Ninja!

Yes, he does it!
Oh, what a sight to see!

(HORN SOUNDS)
Yes!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

01:42, the fastest time tonight.

Give him a round of applause.

SHANE: The Barefoot Ninja,
well done!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: We knew he was going
to be impressive

but to see it done so quickly,

who do you want to be against
on the Power Tower?

Oh, look, it's always nice
to be against Ashlin. (LAUGHS)

But Zak put up an awesome effort,
so I'd love to be against him.

OK. Ashlin still to come.

Daniel Mason, well done, mate.
Give him a round of applause.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Fantastic stuff
from the Barefoot Ninja.

Have a look at the replay.

It just shows the speed.

A masterclass
from one of the very best.

He finished the course

nearly 20 seconds faster
than everyone else.

SHANE: And laying down
a huge challenge for Ashlin Herbert.

BEN: We'll take a break

and then Flashlin Ashlin Herbert
takes to the course.

They call him Flashlin
for good reason.

He's a lightning strike

and he's got his sights set
on the Power Tower.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: OK, Australia, get ready
for an absolute superstar.

Last year he blitzed the heats,

blitzed the semis,

before a stunning stumble
in the grand final

that cost him a shot
at Mount Midoriyama.

He's nicknamed Flashlin Ashlin.

He is Ashlin Herbert.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: The most amazing,
naturally gifted athlete

we've seen on Ninja Warrior.

REBECCA: Ashlin Herbert
blows the field away!

FREDDIE: Do not move at home,
do not blink,

don't get a cup of tea

'cause this will be over
very, very quickly.

BEN: I think we're looking
at the person most likely

to be the first ever
Australian Ninja Warrior.

REBECCA: Makes it! No, he doesn't!

(BUZZER)
Ashlin Herbert bombs out!

That is a stunning upset!

BEN: Coming up now
to the Salmon Ladder,

he's already ten seconds
faster than anyone else.

Here he's...

What?

REBECCA: The favourite's gone.

This is unbelievable.

I'm just good at making
stupid mistakes.

It's not that I go too quick.

It's thinking too much about
the obstacle when I get there.

I'm definitely coming back
to give it a better crack.

I'm still going to try
and go as fast as I can.

Hopefully go all the way this year.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: It's going to be about pace
here.

Blink and you'll miss it.

Just repeating, the top two
each night

face off on the Power Tower

and the winner on the Power Tower

gets a ten second time advantage
going into the semis.

SHANE: Which is huge.

BEN: So, a lot's on the line.

Ashlin wants that advantage.

SHANE: To get there, he must beat

Zak Stolz's time of 01:58.

Sounds a big ask.

BEN: But this man, Ashlin Herbert,

is arguably the fastest
we have ever seen

on Australian Ninja Warrior.

The time to beat: 01:58:92.

(STARTING TONE)

Here we go. He's underway
and look at him absolutely fly.

Through the steps in a heartbeat,
already on the Tic Toc.

Moving around, getting in position.

Ready for the leap.

He's off the Tic Toc
and onto the net.

After 15 seconds.

Taking a bit longer on the net
than he'd like to.

SHANE: But you've got to remember,
he's going so fast,

so you can make mistakes
when you're going super-quick.

Look at the speed!

This is incredible.

BEN: Here he goes.
He's at the Doorknob Drop.

Right on the 30 second mark,
same as a Zak Stolz.

A dead heat.

FREDDIE: He's working his way
up now,

the first of the arms
will come down, it will drop.

And now, he's just got to shift
his arms and his body

onto the second of the arms
and go through it all again.

SHANE: He's burning
but his technique is working.

A little hip swing
as he's reaching out.

It's got him to the end
of the second door.

BEN: Ashlin Herbert hits the mat
and he's under one minute.

He's got to be under 01:58

to make the Power Tower
with Daniel Mason.

SHANE: He's onto the first squirrel.

BEN: Grips it, holds it,

and now the momentum's needed
to land the next one.

SHANE: 3.6 metres is the gap.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
BEN: He's grabbed that too.

SHANE: He's going to smash the clock
if he can get down

and run all the way
up to the Warped Wall!

There he goes!

He's going to hit the buzzer!

(HORN SOUNDS)

BEN: He's done it!

SHANE: That was lightning quick!

BEN: Under 01:30

and that makes it
the fastest time of the night.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
Congratulations, Ashlin Herbert.

Thanks, guys.

BEN: The replay tells the story
of a champion.

Not once did he give up on the speed,

always focused

and even when his lache
was just a little bit off,

he corrected himself
and he finished a winner.

Ashlin Herbert.

It's you and Daniel Mason
on the Power Tower, mate.

You reckon you've got his measure
on the Power Tower?

Don't know. We've had a few comps
before

and he has beaten
me a few times.

Ashlin, when you're going so fast,

do you think, "Hang on. I should
actually take a breath, slow down"

"and think through
what I'm going to do next"?

No, not really. (LAUGHS)

BEN: He doesn't think. He just does.

Ashlin Herbert!
See, do!

Give him a round of applause.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)
Flashlin Ashlin.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

SHANE: Let's see how that affects
the final leaderboard.

BEN: And what an amazing heat

to kick off season four.

Ashlin finishes over 15 seconds

faster than Dan Mason.

SHANE: Pushing good mate, Zak Stolz

out of the top two

and off the Power Tower.

BEN: What about impressive

new ninja monkey, Steve Taylor-Madin?

He takes out sixth spot.

Then there's the man they call Dirt,

Troy Cullen.

He may be about to lose

his dreadlocks

but he finds himself

in ninth position.

SHANE: And Skye Haddy

just manages to cling

onto 16th spot,

the final qualifying position.

So, there's the top 16
through to the semifinals.

But the top two, Ashlin Herbert
and Daniel Mason,

now head to the Power Tower

and for the first time ever,
it's ninja versus ninja.

SHANE: But before then,

let's head to the warm-up gym

where Freddie and his clippers
are ready to settle a bet.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

Here we go.
(LAUGHTER)

It's coming off now.
Here we go.

I hate to tell you,
but you're going bald.

Well, he is now.

(LAUGHTER)

BEN: OK, Australia. Get ready.

For the first time, the two fastest
ninjas go head-to-head,

racing each other
for a ten second time advantage

heading into the semifinals.

Your first look at the Power Tower
coming right up.

Don't go anywhere!

The Power Tower awaits!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior.

Strap yourselves in

for the breathtaking climax
of heat one.

For the first time,
it's ninja versus ninja.

Ashlin Herbert and Daniel Mason,

two of the best we've ever seen,

in a head-to-head race to the buzzer
for a game-changing advantage;

a massive ten seconds
taken off their semifinal time.

SHANE: It all happens on our newest
and most formidable obstacle,

the Power Tower.

BEN: The race begins with five steps,
each 1.5 metres high.

At the top, ninjas will leap
to the first monkey bar

then shimmy around before descending
five and a half metres

down U-bar to the unsteady
and detachable horizontal beam.

SHANE: It's like a three metre
tightrope walk.

Fall off here and the ninjas
get back on

but will lose plenty of time.

Then it's back up the vertical pole,

a lache onto the monkey bars
and a race to hit the buzzer.

(HORN SOUNDS)

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Down in the crowd,
excitement is building.

There's Zak and Dirt
right in the thick of it

and Dirt might be in need
of a beanie right about now.

Poor old Dirt.

SHANE: Here they come.

Ashlin has a height advantage.

175 cm to 167,

but the Barefoot Ninja

is the lighter of the two.

Just 65 kg to Ashlin's 78.

It's anybody's race.

This is the moment
we've all been waiting for.

We are amongst family and friends,

everyone's excited
and we can't wait.

Yeah, that's right.
Daniel's family's here,

Ashlin's family's here

and Freddy Flintoff
has got a front row seat.

The crowd is ready,

Daniel and Ashlin are stood
at the bottom of the Power Tower,

ready to take it on to win
that all-important time advantage

to take into the semifinals.

This is going to be good,
this is going to be fast.

I cannot wait.

Here we go.

(STARTING TONE)

BEN: Who's going to get
the early start?

I think it's Ashlin by about an inch
but Daniel's right behind him.

SHANE: Oh, Ashlin's flying
up the wall.

It's not a wall, it's a cliff
it's so high and there he goes!

Onto the bar and down
to the U-bar!

BEN: Now, it's Ashlin just ahead
on the pole, now the beam.

You've got to be careful here.
They're taking their time.

Oh, it's shaky.

BEN: Ashlin!
SHANE: Oh!

BEN: Oh, no!

Daniel's gone down!

That beam is supposed to break off
for safety reasons.

Ashlin holds on!

I think you'll find
that Ashlin Herbert

is going to close this thing out
and do it,

although here comes Daniel Mason!

SHANE: Daniel is flying
up that pole!

Ashlin now onto the swinging bars,

this is his go-to

although Daniel's making
a great run at it!

BEN: Ashlin Herbert gets the swing,

moves across the bars,

he hits the buzzer!
(HORN SOUNDS)

It's Ashlin Herbert
by about one second!

SHANE: That was incredible!

It really, really was!

Two amazing athletes!
Wow!

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Ashlin Herbert,

the first ninja to hit the buzzer
on the Power Tower

on Australian Ninja Warrior.

That was incredible.

SHANE: Ashlin banks a crucial
ten second time advantage

and that puts him in the driving
seat in the semifinals.

BEN: The Barefoot Ninja was down
on the bottom of the mat

and somehow resurrected himself

and came within a whisker
of hitting that buzzer.

SHANE: And do you know what?

That just shows you,
you never give up.

Always keep yourself in the game.

BEN: Well done to Ashlin Herbert.

He's down with Freddie.

Ashlin, that was quick.

You managed to beat Dan
at the final bit

but talk us through that course.
What's that like?

Yeah, that was good fun.

Um, yeah, I wasn't sure
what to expect

but um, yeah, it was good.

It was really good fun.

It looked like you had it in the bag
at one point when Dan fell off.

But you struggled coming back up,
didn't you?

Yeah, I think I knackered myself
on the pole a little bit,

so they're a bit sore at the moment.

Yeah, no. It was...
Got back up there. (LAUGHS)

Were you aware how close
it was with Dan?

Did you know he was right behind
you, nipping on your heels?

Ah, yeah.

As you can imagine,
Ashlin's lost for words as usual.

Ben and Crawf, back to you, lads.

Thanks, Freddie, and a massive
congratulations to Ashlin Herbert

and all the ninjas tonight.

What an incredible night.

Mate, mesmerising.

Absolutely heart-stopping action

and guess what,
we've only just begun.

We're back tomorrow night
with more action

on Australian Ninja Warrior.

(APPLAUSE AND CHEERING)

BEN: Tomorrow night,

heat number two

and 40 more ninjas
are up for the challenge.

(SQUEALS)

WOMAN: We have a bit of rivalry

and we're always like,
"Who's better?"

I guess we'll find out
on the course who's the best.

BEN: Among them, champion barista,
the Hipster Ninja, Eddie Burrill.

The beard is the part,
sunnies are the part.

I do a lot of latte art.

BEN: Ashlin Herbert's ninja trainer
and girlfriend, Sarah Blackmore.

SARAH: Hopefully, I can beat him

to prove that the girls
can give the boys

a bit of a run for their money.

BEN: And Melvin Solo,

an inspirational young man
who survived war-torn Africa.

Plus, power couple, Ben Polson...

BEN: I've been training all year
for this.

I'm ready for 2020. Let's do it.

..versus Olivia Vivian.

I aim to be the first female

to ever do a Power Tower

anywhere in the world.

BEN: Could they be competing
on the all-new Power Tower?

Ashlin Herbert gets the swing!

He hits the buzzer!
(HORN SOUNDS)

BEN: And still to come
on season four

of Australian Ninja Warrior...

REBECCA AND BEN: Charlie Robbins!

..the best of the best...

FREDDIE: Rob Patterson!

Is he going to be the first ever

to press the buzzer?
(HORN SOUNDS)

..are back...

..to tackle
our toughest course yet...

(SCREAMS)

..and it all leads to this monster,
Mount Midoriyama.

I'm definitely ready
to do Mount Midoriyama.

Everything in between,
that's the hard part.

Once I get to the rope,
I'm safe, I'm home.

BEN: Will 2020 be the year
that someone conquers the mountain

and becomes Australia's
first Ninja Warrior?

REBECCA: You are a superstar!