All language subtitles for Australian.Ninja Warrior.S05E02.WEBRip.9Now.en

BEN: Last night,

they came from far and wide...

(CHEERING)

..to take on the toughest
new obstacles ever seen.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Oh, no! We have lost Olivia Vivian!

In a blistering night of action,

they were asked to make a choice.

Path 'A' or Path 'B'.

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC BUILDS)

And for an angry Mount Midoriyama...

The mountain is very angry,
because of you.

..revenge was a dish best served wet.

Oh, no!

(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS)
Oh, no.

But Bryson Klein won the heat

and beat last year's winner,
Ben Polson, on the Power Tower.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS)

Bryson Klein goes straight through
to the grand final!

Tonight, tennis legend
and ninja superfan Nick Kyrgios

joins Shane Crawford
on the sidelines...

What did I just witness?

..as the mountain devises
more terrifying new obstacles

for an exciting new crop of ninjas,

including this stay-at-home mum
of two...

Love to be the first mum
on the Power Tower.

That'd be amazing.

..and a doctor
with a Jackie Chan obsession.

As a kid, I always enjoyed climbing
up things, jumping over things.

I never really grew out of it.

Many are looking for redemption
after last year.

Oh, no!
(BUZZER SOUNDS)

Unfortunately, Le,
you've been disqualified

because you grabbed the pylon.

(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS)

None more so than Ashlin Herbert
and Daniel Mason,

who both made shock exits
in the semis.

Oh, no!
Oh, no!

They have the fiercest rivalry
of all.

ASHLIN: I don't want
to be bombing out tonight.

I'm back to try and redeem myself.

Could they be battling it out
on the all new Power Tower

for a golden ticket
straight to the grand final...

DANIEL: Hopefully,
that extra little bit of incentive

is gonna give me that extra fight
to push past and win.

..as the search continues
for Australia's next ninja warrior?

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC SWELLS)

Welcome to our brand-new
and most thrilling season yet

of Australian Ninja Warrior.

We're here at Sydney Olympic Park,

a venue rich in sporting history,

and tonight our ninjas
will write their own chapter.

I'm Ben Fordham.

Hello, everyone.
I'm Rebecca Maddern.

Here in the looming shadow
of the dreaded Mount Midoriyama,

tonight, the mountain
is out for revenge

after finally being conquered
last year.

Our ninjas must face
a newly designed course,

featuring some of the most ruthless
obstacles ever devised.

No pressure.

Now, we are standing here
in a stadium

where some of the world's greatest
sporting heroes have made their mark.

So, it's only fitting we have with us
one of our sporting superstars

as a guest commentator -

none other than Aussie tennis gun
and ninja superfan Nick Kyrgios.

And he's here with Shane Crawford
on the Warped Wall.

How's the view up there, Nick?

Hey, Ben and Bec.
Yeah, the view's amazing.

The course is absolutely insane.

I have so much respect
for all these ninjas, honestly.

If someone managed to get up
this Warped Wall tonight,

they are a legend in my books.

I'm just super stoked to be here
and to be a part of this.

It's just an all-round amazing
experience.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

I can't wait to hear Nick's thoughts
on the ninjas throughout the night.

It's so good to have
Nick Kyrgios here.

Alright, let's take a look
at the obstacles

waiting for our ninjas right now.

And no doubt about it, we've cranked
it up a gear for heat two.

Once again, our ninjas must beat
six obstacles to hit the buzzer.

First up, the Shrinking Steps.

Five increasingly perilous steps,

with a rope leap to finish.

Then it's the Big Dipper.

Success here
is all in the 1.2-metre dismount,

and tonight, instead of leaping
onto a pole climber,

there's a rope to finish.

Obstacle three
is the Cyclone Spinner.

Core strength is the key,

as ninjas cartwheel down
an ab-crushing seven-metre track.

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

Survive those first three obstacles
and it just gets tougher.

This year, ninjas have the power
to decide their own fate.

They must pick a path
to the Warped Wall -

familiar or fast.

Which one will they choose?
(KLAXON BLARES)

We've seen the obstacles
on Path 'A' before,

and our ninjas
have trained for them,

but that doesn't make them
any easier.

First up is the Peg Board,

a huge test of upper body
and grip strength

that will have
their muscles burning,

and there's no respite
as they move on to that old foe,

the Bar Hop.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Path 'B' is faster,

but these obstacles have never
been seen before in Australia,

and that makes them much tougher.

Ninjas who take this option
are really backing themselves.

To survive, they must keep
adjusting their strategy,

and just like Path 'A',
this route is an upper body killer.

On Weight For It,

ninjas swing from bar to bar,

their body weight
pushing that first bar down

while setting the next bar
rocketing upwards,

and they've gotta make that leap
of faith four exhausting times.

Then it's on to the Beehive.

Ninjas lache across
three honeycomb-shaped ledges.

The second ledge
is perpendicular to the other two

and must be rotated 270 degrees,
locked into place,

before attempting the final ledge.

(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS)
(BUZZER SOUNDS)

After all that,
it's the Warped Wall.

It's a full 10cm higher this year,

at 4.35 metres.

(KLAXON BLARES)

And the buzzer awaits.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

OK, let's see how it all works.

This is the second of four heats,

with only the top 19
from each heat

moving forward in the competition.

But our ninjas aren't just battling
for a place in the semis.

The two who go the furthest fastest

will compete head to head
on the dreaded Power Tower,

and this year, it's bigger
and more brutal than ever.

And here's the really exciting bit,
Bec.

The winner of the Power Tower
gets a golden ticket

straight through to the grand final.

That's one almighty step towards
taking out the whole competition.

So, who's stepping up first tonight?

This rookie ninja
is a knockabout country bloke

who's into riding bulls.

He watched some talented athletes

get thrown off the course
last night,

but can a newcomer grab
this competition by the horns?

It is Graeme Miles!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

I'm Graeme Miles.

I live on the Sunshine Coast.
I'm 27 years old.

(BULL ROARS)

I started bull riding
late last year.

Jump on that thing,

it's the best adrenalin rush
you've ever had in your life.

Are you ready?

There are definitely
some similarities

between bull riding and ninja.

Holding on. (LAUGHS)

If that all goes to plan,
we'll be laughing.

The mullet - yeah, I've been growing
it for roughly 12 months now

so I can, yeah, raise some money
for World' Greatest Shave.

(GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC)

One of my best mates, Adam,
first week of Year 12,

got diagnosed with leukaemia,

and, yeah, passed away, poor bugger.

He got over 500 blood transfusions.

So, done the World's Greatest Shave
four times.

This time I've gone, you know what,

I'd just grow
a big, dirty, stinking mudflap

sitting on the back
of your neck there,

and hopefully raise
a fair bit of money,

and I'll get rid of it and probably
do it again. (LAUGHS)

It's only hair.

Don't really want to hit the water,

but even if I do end up face down
in the bloody pool,

just to get one person out there to
give blood will be 100% worth it.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

His Ninja debut.
This is a big moment for Graeme.

Mum and Dad and partner, Ellie,
on the sidelines.

What a big moment for them as well,
and that's a big hat.

I hope he does well, man.

Backing the country boy.
Yep.

I love it, I love it.

It was tough going
for the ninjas last night.

Can our bull rider buck the trend?

The mullet, the mo -
he looks the part!

Come on, keep your eyes
on this guy!

(CHIME SOUNDS)
That's the buzzer.

Here he goes - Graeme Miles.

Onto the Shrinking Steps.
One, two, three, four, five. Yes!

Oh, he's a gun!

Come on!

Completes obstacle number one.

OK, Big Dipper to Rope.

Different from the pole last night.

Grab the 1.2-metre bar,
slide down that curved track.

His first time on a ninja course,
so he's not rushing here.

We're gonna get
into the Warped Wall.

Is he gonna go? Yes, he is.

Grab the rope, Graeme!
Well done, mate!

Let's go!
It is like riding a bull.

I like what I'm seeing so far.

On to the Cyclone Spinner.

This obstacle caused our ninjas
all sorts of trouble last night.

The trick is getting your hips low
and flat to the wheel.

Hey, if he can hold on to a bull,

he can hold on
to the Cyclone Spinner.

100%. Easy.
He'll hold on to this easy.

Can he just channel
a mechanical bull?

'Cause you've just gotta hang on for
dear life on the Cyclone Spinner.

Here he goes. Oh, he needs to be
flatter against the wheel, I think!

His bottom is sticking out too far.

No, no, no! Is he slipping?
Is he slipping? Is he slipping?

I don't like the look of it!
(GASPS)

Oh, hang on! He's in the water!

Oh, no!

No, Graeme, no!
Ohh!

Oh, his first ninja rodeo
and he lands in the drink.

Oh, his footwork almost let him down
on the Shrinking Steps,

but he had enough momentum
to make it across.

He never looked entirely comfortable
on the Cyclone Spinner.

His hips needed to be flatter,
his legs straighter,

but the big mistake
was letting go of the wheel

just a little bit too early.

He had nothing to grip on to.

So, Graeme gets the early shower.

Unlucky, big fella. What happened?
You were doing so well.

I just shagged up
and ended up in the drink.

So, I am pretty disappointed,
but anyway, we'll move on.

You can't win them all.
Mate, keep your head up.

I was gonna actually
just get in there

and just try and get you on the mat,
but you would've got DQ'd,

but you should be proud.

Cheers, mate. Thank you, yeah.
No worries.

Thank you.

And I've got a feeling Graeme
sees that as unfinished business.

He'll be back.

And a vengeful
Mount Midoriyama picks up

where it left off last night,

giving up nothing
and imposing itself on our ninjas.

These early obstacles are so tough.

Can our next ninja hit back?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

This competitor
arrived on the ninja scene

as Ashlin Herbert's girlfriend,

but after a powerhouse performance
in her debut season,

she's built a resume
that's all her own.

Up for the challenge again,
Victoria's Sarah Blackmore.

Last year I competed
up to semifinals.

Ash and I actually got
to the exact same spot.

MAN: Keep the chin up!

Come on, Sarah Blackmore.
This is a big drop down here.

She's got a metre to deal with.

(SCREAMS)
Ohh!

That was really cool,
and super empowering.

Well done!

That was phenomenal.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC BUILDS)

I've been training really hard
to be here this year,

and I think I definitely have the
ability to go further this time.

It's just a matter of that
psychological side of things

and making sure I push past that

to prove to everyone else that
I'm not just Ashlin's girlfriend

and make my own name.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC SWELLS)

Sarah is a gymnastics teacher,

and some of her students join us
on the big screen tonight.

There's Amelia, Tabitha,
and Charlotte.

Hey, girls!
How's Sarah gonna go tonight?

Yeah, good!
Good!

Good! You think she can go
all the way?

Yeah!
Yes! Yes.

Do you wanna give her a chant?

Sarah! Sarah!

Sarah! Sarah!
GIRLS: Sarah! Sarah!

AUDIENCE: Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!

Sarah! Sarah! Sarah!

Well, girls, you sit back and watch
your teacher destroy this course.

(WHISTLES)

There's Ashlin Herbert.
He'll be competing later tonight.

Right now, a nervous boyfriend.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Semifinal debut last year.

Tied with her boy... (GASPS)

Ohh!
(BUZZER SOUNDS)

Where did that come from?
What happened?

This is a huge upset.
No!

Where did that come from?

Sarah Blackmore was one of our top
chances this season.

She's gone.

Oh, no. That is massive.
Devastated.

We expected big things from Sarah,

and now, with just one misstep,

12 months of intense training
has gone down the drain.

You can see on the replay -

the tiniest mistake can sink
the hopes of strong ninjas.

She just misjudged that third step

and couldn't get the lift she needed.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Sarah.
Thanks, mate.

Oh, I'm gutted for you.

Oh, I mean... the first one...

The training that people put in
to get here to the starting line,

and you just...
I don't know what to say.

Yeah, it's been a road,
but we're here, so...

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

You're here, you're having a go.

We absolutely love you
and we've got a massive hug for you.

Good on you.
Oh, thanks, mate!

You'll be back. You'll be back.
I have no doubt about it.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

I'm worried, Bec.
Mount Midoriyama - fearsome again!

Two ninjas - one old, one new.

Both cut down
earlier than we expected.

Will our next athlete fare better?

This Sydney doctor grew up
idolising Jackie Chan.

While he never made it
into action films like his idol,

ninja is the next best thing
for Andrew Luo!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

I work as a doctor in the ICU,

looking after the sickest patients
in the hospital,

and I really like being able to,
essentially, save people's lives.

I come from a family
of medical professionals.

My dad works
in traditional Chinese medicine,

my mum is a nurse,
and my sister is also a nurse.

I guess medicine
was always in my blood.

As a child,
my inspiration was Jackie Chan.

I really liked the way he moved,

and ran up walls,
and jumped over things.

He was basically the pioneer of
parkour before it became a thing.

So, heading onto the course tonight,

I want to channel
my Jackie Chan spirit.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Just have a look at the scene here.

He's brought some supporters
with him as well.

They're all scrubbed up.
They're with Nick Kyrgios.

So, I'm sitting in the crowd,

just prior to the 'Doctor Ninja'
about to kill this course.

I'm sitting with all his supporters.

Andrew Luo, how's he gonna go
tonight, guys?

Amazing!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

You heard it here first.
Let's see how he goes.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

And here he is - Doctor Luo.

How will he scrub up against
this treacherous ninja course?

Well, he's certainly dressed
for a bit of theatre,

and there are his mum, dad,
his sister, and girlfriend, Ouhan.

They are pumped!

Oh, how good is that?
What about the support crew?

This course has troubled
our ninjas tonight.

It would probably even challenge
Andrew's hero,

the great Jackie Chan.

Give us a move, Andrew!

There you go.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Here he goes - the ICU doctor
across obstacle one,

and he nails it.

On to the Big Dipper.

As we saw in last night's heat,
technique here is absolutely key.

WOMAN: You've got this!

Andrew is taking his time.

He's going the mixed grip.

He launches, and he clutches it.

Now he's got the Cyclone Spinner.

This obstacle took out seven ninjas
in heat one,

and it won't be any easier
here tonight.

Take your time. It's all good.

Wedge those feet in.

Wedge those feet!
Wedge those feet!

Yeah, Crawf and Nick are right.

You've really gotta get
the foot placement right.

I don't know whether
he's got enough of the foot in.

He'll need to apply a lot of body
pressure to stay on the wheel.

Anyway, here he goes.

Oh, his hips are coming out
and he's picked up speed!

He's leaning dangerously
to the left!

Not the most convincing dismount,
but he's through,

and Andrew Luo becomes
the first ninja tonight

to make it past obstacle three.

Could this be the start
of the ninja fight back?

There's Fred Dorrington,
season one Furthest Fastest.

He's out this year with injury.

And look - here we are,
an ICU doctor at the crossroads.

Which way is he gonna go -
'A' or 'B'?

Andrew's the first ninja tonight
to face this choice.

It could be the difference between
a semifinal spot and going home.

You got this!

Oh, what would Jackie Chan do?

Path 'A' features familiar,
but formidable, obstacles.

Andrew has trained for these,

which means he knows how tough
path 'A' will be on his upper body.

If he chooses path 'B',
he'll be learning on the run,

because the obstacles here have
never been seen in Australia before.

Path 'B' is quicker,
but is also harder.

What's he gonna do?

Is he... he's going the new obstacles.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Brand-new obstacles, lane 'B' -
the path unknown.

First up is Weight For It.

Andrew's got no idea
what he's up against here.

He's gotta figure out his strategy
as he goes.

Brand-new ninja,
first time on the course,

first time ever
on an apparatus like this.

OK, this is how it works.

There are four bars
operating on a pulley system.

Andrew grabs the first bar.

Now, see how his body weight
has sent the next bar

rocketing upwards and out of reach?

He needs to generate good swing
to grab the next bar.

Does he have the energy?
Up he goes. Whoa! OK.

He's made it to the second bar, but
he's gotta do that three more times.

Every time, the arms burn more.

Whoa!
He almost slipped then.

But he recovered nicely.

Is he gonna be a newbie ninja

who makes it to the top
of the Warped Wall?

Oh, he needs to channel
Jackie Chan right now

to make it onto this next bar.

Come on, Andrew Luo!

Ohh!
(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS)

Emergency.

I have a feeling
that obstacle in particular

is gonna take out
some ninjas tonight.

Andrew ripped through
the first two obstacles,

getting great height
on the Big Dipper to Rope,

but his run almost ended
on the Cyclone Spinner.

Then, choosing the tricky Path 'B',

Andrew baulked crossing
to the third bar in Weight For It,

and with his grip fatiguing,
he couldn't save himself.

Well, firstly, Andrew,
I just need to make sure...

Yes, you're under control.

Now, would you like
to just check that...?

'Cause he's had
a wonderful night tonight.

He's been getting way too excited.
ANDREW: Yep.

Yeah, just check
my heart rate real quick.

Can you just check his heart rate,
make sure he's ticking along OK?

Is there a heart there?
Oh, no!

Oh, yes, there is! Yes, there is!

There is,
and there's lots of love in there.

Congratulations, well done, and
thanks for bringing all those fans.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Great run from this first-time ninja,

but the mountain continues
to take its toll.

You're watching
Australian Ninja Warrior.

Time for a break now,
but don't go anywhere.

The ninjas will be right back.

Still to come tonight...

They're ready
to tear this course apart.

From fearless newcomers...

MAN: I'm so obsessed
with Ninja Warrior,

I'm even having dreams about it.

So, I'm hoping dreams come true.

..to returning ninjas
intent on redemption.

ASHLIN: I certainly wasn't planning
on being eliminated

from the semifinals last year.

(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS)

Unbelievable! I cannot believe
what I've just seen.

It was a big disappointment,

but I'm back
to give it another crack.

As Mount Midoriyama churns,
can our ninjas fight back?

Who will make it up the wall,
and which path will they take?

WOMAN: The 'A' or 'B' path
is really interesting.

MAN: It brings a bit more strategy
into it.

MAN: It gives you much more
to think about.

I reckon that's super cool.

Tonight I think I'm going 'A',
but I'm very indecisive.

So, I'll probably get to the button
and be like, "Ohh!"

(LAUGHS)

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC BUILDS)

BEN: Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior

and our brand-new venue -

that birthplace of sporting legends,
Sydney Olympic Park.

It's fitting that
our brand-new course

is the toughest we've ever devised,

and for the two ninjas
who earn the right

to square off
on the Power Tower tonight,

we're offering
the greatest incentive yet, Bec.

REBECCA: Yes, Ben, this year they
are competing for a huge advantage -

an express pass to the grand final.

That's right - no semifinals.

Tonight's winner will go straight
through to the big one.

But to earn that vital prize,

a ninja needs strength, skill,
and sparkle.

Our next ninja has
all of those things in spades.

From Adelaide, it's Russell Morris.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Hi, I'm Russell,

and I'm your new, and sparkling,
ninja warrior.

Wow!

Growing up, I was really confident.

(UPBEAT DANCE MUSIC)

I was doing lots of sports as a kid,

and then I got into
competitive trampolining

and I actually ended up winning
a national title,

but I just...
I lost my love of the sport.

(SOMBRE INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC)

I think as my flamboyant qualities
started to come out,

sports seemed to be overrun
by a bunch of boys.

I think, in high school,

people just, like,
like to bring each other down.

So, I stopped sport
for, like, five years.

And then I found ninja. (LAUGHS)

The ninja community
was just so different.

Like, it's been so inclusive.

It was about, like,
uplifting each other

when you're trying to do a lache,

or you're trying again and again
to get the Salmon Ladder.

Ninja's been awesome.

I think the world
needs more glitter.

I mean, I would glitter everything.
(LAUGHS)

I'm here for people
who underestimate me.

I want to challenge
their preconceptions.

Why can't I smash a lache
and sparkle while I do it?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(UPBEAT DISCO MUSIC)

Oh, yeah!

Hey, Adelaide, this is your man!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He wants to bring the sparkle
to the course.

Whoo!

And he wants to finish the course.
Whoo! Whoo!

I think Russell's ready to party.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Hey, I love a blue light disco,
growing up.

Did you ever go to any of those?

(LAUGHS) I'm not as old as you.
I don't go to discos.

(LAUGHTER)
Go, Russell!

His partner, Liam, on the sideline,

and he has plenty of sequinned
supporters in the stands too.

They're bringing the glitter
to the Olympic Stadium in Sydney.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Here he comes - Russell Morris.
26 years of age.

He centres his body perfectly
across the steps.

He makes nice work of that too.

Now, he has the resume and the grit
to be a real contender in this comp.

The dancing's over
for Russell Morris.

It's game face now.

He approaches the Big Dipper to Rope.

Making sure that he's dead square,

as he goes down and up, and home!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

He's alright.

Cyclone Spinner now.

This obstacle proved to be a real
ninja killer on the opening night.

Technique is the key.

Russell needs to get his centre
of gravity exactly right.

His body flat against the wheel.

So, he's got the flexibility.
He's got the strength.

Ohhh.
He looks a little bit shaky.

Lock it in, lock it in, lock it in!
Lock it in!

Those pants are like a glitterball.

Oh, he's a bit loose.

His head... oh!
He's a bit too loose.

Loosey goose.

Go, Russell!

And that's it.
Whoo!

Yeah, it was a great effort, though.
First time ninja.

Made it to obstacle three.

So, let's see where
it came all undone for Russell.

Now, his feet were nicely
positioned,

but his centre of gravity
was a bit too high.

So, when he was upside down,
all the weight came off his feet,

and the party was over.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Hey, Russell, I love the outfit.
Thank you.

And those pants remind me
of a glitterball.

They make me just want to dance.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(UPBEAT DISCO MUSIC)
Whoo!

So, the Cyclone Spinner claims
another scalp.

This course has got the upper hand
so far tonight,

but if anyone can turn things around,
it's gotta be our next ninja.

A powerhouse competitor
back for another crack

at the mighty Mount Midoriyama.

This two-time ninja semifinalist
is a radiographer

with a passion for rock climbing.

Here she is - Raphaela Wiget.

RAPHAELA: So, in season three,

I came off on the trampoline
in semifinals.

Bounces off the tramp and... oh!

And then I just scraped into
semifinals again in season four.

Ohh!
Oh, no!

(BUZZER SOUNDS)

It's happened again.

So, hopefully this year,
I can make it one further.

(GENTLE GUITAR MUSIC)

I guess one thing
people didn't know last year

is that, like, I've been fighting
my own battles for quite a while.

I, um... I have had an eating
disorder for about eight years,

since I was 15,

and the first few years, definitely,
I just... complete denial about it,

and definitely
didn't get any of the help

that I probably should
have reached out for,

but I've been doing that now
for the past two years,

and it's obviously getting
a lot better.

It just needed to be done.

So, I'm really happy that I've
finally got to this place in my life

that I can kind of talk about it,
even.

You're only as strong
as your mind is.

That sounds really cliche,
but it's 100% true.

That's really what
I've been focusing on this year,

and I don't know how I couldn't love
a body that lets me do all of this.

So, that's what I'm really going for
this year - just going hard!

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC BUILDS)

I'm really here to just prove
to myself that I can do this.

I'm strong mentally, physically -
everything-ly.

I'm here to do it, yep.

Let's get the buzzer.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

She's only 161cm tall,

so she's gonna find some
of the bigger leaps a challenge,

but she is determined.

What can you tell me about Raphaela?

I think she speaks fluent German.

How do you know that?
I've got facts up my sleeve.

Do you speak another language?
I don't, actually.

I actually don't speak
another language.

I can understand a bit of Greek,
but that's it.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

Buzzer time!

MAN: Come on, Raph!

Expecting really big things
from Raphaela Wiget tonight.

She has made the semifinals
in season three and season four.

Yeah!

Yeah, she's got boyfriend William
supporting her on the sideline.

Now Big Dipper to Rope.
She's going mixed grip.

That leap to rope represents a real
danger for our shorter ninjas!

Ohh! Grabs it with her feet!

Oh, that is a technique
we haven't seen!

That is a technique
we have never seen!

Doesn't matter how she did it -
she did it.

Just taking her time
as she boards the Cyclone Spinner.

It's only short,
but, boy, is it tough!

Wedging the feet in now, making sure
the hands are there as well.

That's it. Make sure your ankles
are almost touching the disc.

You want to be as flat as a pancake.

Look how tight that grip is.

Her body absolutely flat to the disc.

OK, here she goes.
Wow, she looks good!

Oh, technique!
Great technique.

Raphaela Wiget, get a load of this!

Ohh, yes!

Yeah!

She survives the Cyclone Spinner.

Only the second ninja to make it
to the crossroads so far tonight.

What will Raphaela choose?

Yeah, she's taken lane 'A' -
the known obstacles.

Peg Board and the Bar Hop.

These are familiar obstacles
that she's trained for,

but they're also very tough.

They're two upper body obstacles
back to back.

Take a breath, Raph! Breathe it out!

Just getting some coaching from
the sidelines - take a breath.

The crowd's getting around her.

Yes, they're up and about.
They love it. This is awesome.

Don't forget - semifinalist before.

She's never been up the Warped Wall.

I got a feeling she's gonna make it
up the Warped Wall tonight.

Big call, Nick. Here we go, Bec.

This is the first time
we've seen the Peg Board tonight.

Now, Raphaela needs to use the pegs
to move between the two boards.

Success comes down to peg placement.

She doesn't want to be swinging
by one arm for too long.

Alright, well,
this is Raphaela's chance

to make it up to the Warped Wall
and hit that buzzer.

Oh, yes! She's just two obstacles
away from having a crack.

And I'm sure that's one
of her main aims tonight -

to get on top of the Warped Wall,

with her hand
on that big red buzzer.

And look at the way
she's using the rope

to take some of the strain
off the upper body.

Starting to tire a little bit.

Getting some momentum,
swinging the board back and forth.

Now she's gotta make this transition.
Reaches out.

You gotta let go of the other one.
Well done, Raphaela.

Oh, it's jerked her around
a little bit.

She's just trying
to get a hold of that grip.

Oh, look at the strength. Ohh!

Raphaela Wiget!

Oh, slight misjudgement there.
Hang in there, Raphaela.

You're amazed, aren't you?
Yeah, I am, I am.

You are.
You're sitting there, like, glued.

Now, does she have enough fuel
left in the tank?

And keep in mind every time
you lift the legs up,

it's hurting under the arms.

Oh, dear me!
It's hurting the core.

She will do it! Yes!
Come on, Raphaela! She's safe!

The strength, the skill!
Raphaela is owning it at the moment.

She's looking like a champion.

Has she got enough in the tank
to get through the Bar Hop?

These are two obstacles
stacked side by side

that test your upper body strength.

If anyone's got good upper body
strength, it's the rock climbers.

This is where she will draw
on the power of the mind.

She's visualising now
exactly what she needs to do -

grab the first bar,

then move across to the next
and the next.

And what makes it so tricky

is that two of the five bars
rest in a cradle.

So, if Raphaela
doesn't nail the landing,

the bar's gonna slip out,
she'll end up in the water.

Here she goes.

WILLIAM: Yeah, that's it! Good!

Yeah, she's done it!

This is gonna be huge
if she makes it, Ben Fordham!

Raphaela Wiget on the Bar Hop now.

She is just four jumps away
from the Warped Wall.

Here she comes.
She kicks up the legs.

Does she have it?

No, she doesn't.
Oh, just!

That was so close!

The bar just slipped
through her fingers.

Clearly, fatigue was a factor.

She just didn't have enough grip
strength left after the Peg Board.

Unbelievable.
Wow!

Wow, that was...

Ahh! I'm so sorry!

(LAUGHS) No, that's alright!
I like getting wet.

Oh, wow! So impressive, though.

BEN: Let's take another look
at Raphaela's incredible run.

She went with an unconventional
technique on the Big Dipper,

riding the Dipper
all the way to the stopper

and then using her legs
to grab hold of the rope.

She used small swings to work her way
across the swinging Peg Boards.

The strategy helped her
conserve energy,

but it took a toll
on the grip strength,

and that cost her on the Bar Hop.

Well done, firstly.
Ohh!

Nick, his mouth was open
the whole way.

He was just in awe of what you were
doing. It was incredible.

Yeah, I think I was going too fast,

but, yeah, I just got really pumped.

I think I underestimated how big
that lache is to the middle bar.

Ohh! So, yeah, obviously,
it's a big bummer.

Hopefully,
one day I'll get to the wall,

but I'm pretty stoked
with the rest of the run.

And so you should be.
That was incredible.

I would have fallen off back there.
You did so good. Well done.

REBECCA: That was an amazing run
by Raphaela Wiget.

Gee, she's strong!

She is fantastic,

and she could be the one
leading a ninja comeback here.

We'll only know, though,
based on our next ninjas,

and they come out in all their glory,

from Sydney's Olympic Park,
right after this.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Coming up, he was a grand finalist
in season three...

Here he goes - Le Hua!

..before last year's
heartbreaking disqualification.

Smashed the buzzer.
The buzzer made no sound.

This year could be my year.

Le Hua returns
with just one goal in mind.

And later, he calls himself
the 'Shaky Ninja'.

Can he come to grips
with these ninja obstacles?

I'm definitely a bit worried
about my hands on the course.

The shakiness can make obstacles
very hard.

An ordinary mum takes on
an extraordinary ninja challenge.

BOTH: My mum's going
to be the next ninja warrior.

And then who will come face to face
on the mighty Power Tower?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

BEN: You are back
with Australian Ninja Warrior.

This course has been chewing up
and spitting out our ninjas

at a ferocious rate.

Yet again,
Mount Midoriyama has been brutal

to all those brave enough
to take her on.

Former world champion tumbler
Sami Palmer

stands at 152cm tall...

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

..and her time on the course
was just as short.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

SHANE: She got caught upside down

and was holding on with her legs
by the rope.

REBECCA: Callisthenics coach

and big brother of eight
Khaled Mahmoud

became the third ninja tonight
to reach the crossroads.

He almost pulled off
a miraculous move on Weight For It.

Ohh!
Oh!

This obstacle isn't just unfamiliar,
it's tough!

You're going the wrong way!
Arggh!

Ohh!

If he pulled that off,

that would have been the greatest
move we've ever seen.

Ex-army saxophonist
and 'Cadet Ninja' Jason Mitchell

aimed up early...

Oh, that's what we like to see!

..but at the crossroads,
he chose Path 'B'.

Just like Khaled,
he tanked on Weight For It.

Good effort, though.

We've now had ninjas attempt
both Paths 'A' and 'B'.

So far no-one has found a way
through to the Warped Wall.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Mount Midoriyama, well,
hasn't she been brutal tonight,

crushing dreams and delivering
blow after blow to our ninjas?

But can it also deliver redemption?

This returning ninja suffered
a soul-crushing disqualification

in last season's heats,

but has vowed to use
that disappointment as a spur.

It's Brisbane engineer
and part-time trick cyclist Le Hua.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Go, Le!
Go, Daddy!

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC BUILDS)

Last year, I crushed the course.

I was the first one to make it
through the Doorknobs,

and as I grabbed the last Doorknob,
I celebrated too early.

I turned to the camera, I smiled,
and then I hit the truss.

SHANE: Oh, no! He's hit the pylon.
Ouch!

He's hit the pylon, Ben.

Straight up the Warped Wall.

I was so focused. I kept going.

Yeah!
Oh, no.

I smashed the buzzer.
The buzzer made no sound.

Goddamn it, the buzzer didn't work!

When I was told
I was disqualified...

Unfortunately, Le,
you've been disqualified

because you grabbed the pylon.

(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS)

I was so, so devastated.

It took me quite a number of weeks
to get over the disappointment.

Because of my DQ,
I didn't get to do the Power Tower.

This year I'll be going all out
for the Power Tower

and the fast-track
to the grand finals.

This year's gonna be my year.

Nothing will stop me.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Le Hua - he's got his sights set
on the Power Tower,

and wife, Catherine,
and children Anh and Thang

cheering him on the whole way.

Whoo!

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

If you ever got disqualified,
would you be angry the next year

and want to totally redeem yourself?

I've never been disqualified before.

I don't have a temper at all.
So, we'll see how he goes.

(CHIME SOUNDS)

He's got an incredible story.

Born on a refugee boat on his way
to Australia from Vietnam.

Look at him - he's straight into it.
Back with a vengeance.

REBECCA: Here he goes
on the Big Dipper to Rope.

This guy's got the goods.

Back him in, ladies and gentlemen,

because he is a supreme athlete.

Yes!

Now here is the Cyclone Spinner.

This obstacle has been a graveyard
for some talented ninjas

over the last two nights.

Have a look at him now.

He's really crouching
and his centre of gravity is good.

His hips aren't flat to the disc.

Come on, Le!

He's flying through the course.

Ohh!
He's OK.

Now, 'A' or 'B' -
which way will he go?

'A', 'A', 'A', 'A'!

Catherine's saying, "Go 'A'."
Le taking her advice.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

These are the known obstacles.

After what happened last year,

Le is not in the mood
to take any risks.

He knows these obstacles
and he's trained for them.

It doesn't make them easier,
because these obstacles are tough -

the Peg Board and the Bar Hop.

Up he goes to the rope,

making the transfer
to the first Peg Board.

I reckon we're seeing something
very special right here.

Yep, me too.

Well, you've got a front-row seat.

He moves to the first peg.

A little misjudgement there,
but he's not panicking.

He doesn't need to panic.
His movement is so fluid.

Look at him up there -
almost comfortable.

Now, he's gotta get the board moving,
get enough momentum.

Now for the transfer.

This is pretty to watch.
Come on, Le.

Oh, isn't it, Ben?
Look how strong he is.

Getting that momentum from the hips,
working it.

What's he gonna do?

Is he gonna go from here?
Surely not, Le!

Oh, man!
Easy!

The Bar Hop's next.

Raphaela Wiget made it this far.
Can Le go a bit better?

Up he goes.
He's got great form so far.

Look how quickly
he made that transition.

This is difficult
because what happens -

the bar moves in its little slot.

Yep.
So, it makes it extremely difficult.

See that?
So, they gotta try and control it.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

One of our toughest obstacles.

Le must be hurting,
but he's powering through.

He's only got two more moves and
Le gets a crack at the Warped Wall.

Come on, Le.
We want you up the Warped Wall.

Oh, yes!
Yes, Le!

He knows he's almost there, Ben!

He'll make it from here, surely.
He just needs to hold it together.

After all the disappointment
of last year,

Le Hua is about to get a crack
at the ninja warrior Warped Wall.

He's not even stopping!
Here he goes! Le up the Warped Wall!

Yes!
Yes! Yes!

He legitimately touched
the red buzzer and he's done it!

Ohh!

(MOMENTOUS MUSIC SWELLS)

Whoo!
He's a beast.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

The first ninja up the wall tonight.

You are into the semifinals, Le!
Wow!

How do you feel after last year, Le?

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Oh, baby! It worked!
(LAUGHTER)

It actually worked!

It works and you didn't touch
anything you weren't supposed to.

Well done.

Mate, I've got the feeling
that what happened last year

really messed with your head,
didn't it?

Uh, I was no fun to be around.

No fun at all.

Well, with the time you just ran,

you might just fulfil that dream
of getting on the Power Tower.

Put your hands together for Le Hua!

Well done!

He's put Mount Midoriyama on notice

and the ninja fight back continues.

Well, Le was controlled and
confident right from the start.

With his exceptional grip, core,
and leg strength,

Le made the Cyclone Spinner
look easy.

Then it was just a hop, skip,
and a jump to the Warped Wall,

and he didn't need
any second chances,

as he slammed down on that buzzer
and claimed his redemption.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Look at Le - pumped! So he should be.

An amazing effort,

especially after
what happened to him last year.

And that run currently places Le
on the Power Tower later tonight,

with a shot at an express ticket
straight through to the grand final.

But, Bec, coming up - he doesn't
let autism slow him down.

Hey, guys! Max is back.

Oh, no!
Oh, what?

Last year, after I see myself fall
on that first obstacle,

it just made me more determined
just to do better.

Celeste Dixon is back too,

along with her bacon-loving
cheer squad.

Bring home the bacon!

And Ninja's greatest rivalry -

it's 'Flashlin' Ashlin Herbert

versus Dan Mason,
the 'Barefoot Ninja'.

The battle for a place on the
Power Tower is about to go ballistic.

BEN: Tonight's top two
Furthest Fastest ninjas

will face off
on the all-new Power Tower

for a fast pass straight through
to the grand final,

all thanks to Energizer.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

REBECCA: Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior.

Just one ninja has made it
up the Warped Wall tonight.

Yes! He legitimately touched
the red buzzer and he's done it!

For everyone else,

our newly designed course
has delivered a world of pain.

High-rise builder Bowen Cornish
is used to heading skywards.

If he looks familiar,

you might work
in a city office building

and you may have seen this young man
hanging outside the window.

But the Big Dipper brought him
back down to earth.

Ohh, bombs out!
Ohh, wow!

A semifinalist last year,

Danielle Smith
opted for the path known.

Can she let go of that rope?
She's in trouble.

But knowing an obstacle
doesn't make it easier to conquer.

The stress and the strain
on the face.

The arms... which one's it gonna be?
No!

So hard to lift the legs up.

OK, back to the action now.

This is brand-new ninja
Brisbane mum Alicia Prosser.

Can you believe she's 44 years old?

She says she's an ordinary mum,

but what she's doing here
is absolutely extraordinary.

She's got enough momentum!
She can make this transition!

Here she comes - Alicia Prosser!

Any moment now, she'll let go!

Can she grip on?
Ahh!

Yes!
She does it!

She's strong. Don't forget that.

I would have fallen off -
back at the start.

And now the woman who calls herself
the everyday mum

starts to kick those legs.

She's still got a smile.
Gritting the teeth.

Can she do it?
Does she have what it takes?

Here she comes!

This is the moment that she will...

Oh, no!
Oh, no, Alicia!

I think she was just gassed.

Mount Midoriyama
is in a vengeful mood tonight,

but maybe our next ninja
can turn the heat around.

He is the ninja
legend who refuses

to be defined
by his autism.

A semi-finalist in series three.

Fast, furious and finishes it.
Nice!

He suffered a shock
early exit last year...

Oh no!

..and is ready to make amends.

It's Melbourne landscaper
Max Closter.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

SHANE: Come on, Australia. We need
to get behind this young man.

He looks ready. He looks confident.

Can Max go all the way this year?

He's super focused.

I can tell you one thing, Ben.

He's really gonna take his time
at the starting gate,

because last season,

it was just so tragic
when he stumbled

on obstacle one

and found himself in the water,

and he just does not want
a repeat of that,

nor do we.

Max wants to get across
these steps quickly,

but not so fast that
he can't control foot placement.

He'll be nervous after last year.

(TIMER BEEPS)

Here he goes.

Come on.

HOSTS: Oh no!
(AUDIENCE EXCLAIMS)

It can't be happening again.
He saves himself.

Oh, my goodness!
What about that?

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Oh, my goodness, Max Closter.

We couldn't relive last year again.

Come on, take your time, Max.
Take your time.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS AND WHISTLES)

Max chooses the overhand grip.

I'm worried that near miss
may have rattled him.

Max is making me nervous.

Here he goes.
Come on, Maxie.

Come on, Max. Grab it. Grab it.

(BUZZER BLARES)
Oh.

HOSTS: Oh no!

In the water on obstacle two,

and that is the end of Max's night.
Oh no!

That's gotta hurt.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

The poor bloke. He just can't
believe what happened.

Well, I think nerves
got the better of Max tonight.

He was quick off the mark,

and he didn't hit
the last two steps cleanly.

Now, that affected his rope control.

He managed to recover
from that mistake,

but he released from the big dipper
bar way too early.

As a result, he came in too low
on the rope

and couldn't avoid the water.

Max, tonight wasn't the night.

Oh, but that's me -
I feel really confident.

Oh, it's, like...

It's just so simple how easy
you can make a mistake.

It's sending me insane!

Why does 'Ninja Warrior'
mean so much to you?

I wanna try and inspire
as much people out there

who has, like, autism and that,
like me and all that.

And I just...
Yeah, that's my whole point -

just get my message out there.

Good on you, Max.
Now, you are an inspiration.

The crowd absolutely love you,
don't we?

(AUDIENCE CHEERS WILDLY)
We love this boy.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Max Closter!

(AUDIENCE CHEERS
AND ROCK MUSIC PLAYS)

BEN: Well, our course continues
to trouble our ninjas.

Maybe the next competitor
can rise to the challenge.

Hope so.
Our next ninja is a Perth miner

who plans to blow this competition
wide open.

It's Jeremy Soffe.

I've been an underground miner
for about 12 years now.

Working with explosives
and detonators,

it's classed as a high-risk job.

What makes the job riskier

is I was born with a benign tremor -

I shake my whole life.

And gotta concentrate
that little bit harder.

(QUIRKY MUSIC)

Having shaky hands sometimes
presents you with issues

and troubles
that you wouldn't think of.

Over the years,
I've had numerous nicknames.

A common one is Shaky or Shakes.

Because I just can't hold still.

I really love 'Ninja'. I'm taking
my skills to the course tonight,

because of my passion for it.

I'm definitely a bit worried
about my hands on the course.

The shakiness can make the precision
and trying to hold...

..small obstacles very hard.

But nothing's gonna hold me back.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

There he is,
wearing his mining pants.

And Harper Rose with Jeremy's mum,
Mandy,

giving her daddy a very cute wave
on the sideline.

BEN: Aw! Cute!
Yay!

Big moment here

for Jeremy Soffe.

He doesn't make excuses.
(TIMER BEEPS)

But those shaky hands will make
this course a little bit tougher.

(GASPS)

Actually, the feet look
a little bit shaky there.

Ooh.
But he manages to get through.

Shaky feet

and shaky hands. (CHUCKLES)

Not a good combination. He survives,

though, to move on to
the Big Dipper to Rope.

This obstacle will test
Jeremy's hands.

He doesn't wanna get the shakes
coming down the Dipper.

Here he goes.
And he flies.

Ooh!
Hey, Jeremy Soffe is looking

really good so far. However, Ben,

this is the Cyclone Spinner.
MANDY: Well done. You're doing well!

It's brought many
a seasoned ninja undone.

We'll see how Jeremy Soffe
tackles this one tonight.

Wedging those feet in.

Lay the body nice and flat
to the disc.

Oh, he's kissing that disc.

Yeah, great form.

Keeping his body
absolutely superglued to it.

Looks so good
on the Cyclone Spinner.

Great form.

Great exit. Well done, Jeremy Soffe.

Yay!
Just like a pro.

Now he comes up to the Crossroads.

Take your time.
He's going. He's going B.

He's going B.
He's going B.

Yeah, so he's going on the faster

but harder of the two tracks.

He's got speed on his mind.

Remember, he's chasing
Le Hua's time of 2:16.

That's the mark right now.

This is Weight For It.
It's a tough one.

MANDY: Come on!

Jeremy's hand tremors...
Hanging in there!

..will provide an extra degree
of difficulty.

Ooh! A grab and a miss there.

Keeps calm, though.
(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Now he's using the rope
to help him build swing.

His movements are good.
CROWD: Jeremy! Jeremy!

Going to reach for that second bar.

Looks good. Very good!

His hands don't seem to be shaking.
He's holding it together so far.

One more obstacle
before the Warped Wall.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)
He's going to the buzzer, mate.

He is an animal.
He's going.

He's going. Kyrgios says
he's going to the buzzer.

He's going to the buzzer.
I reckon he is.

(CROWD SHOUTS)
HOSTS: Oh, yes!

First-time ninja,

and just one obstacle away
from the Warped Wall.

That was a great moment.
MANDY: Yeah!

Now we've got the Beehive.

And this is the first time

we've ever seen this obstacle.
It's complex.

Jeremy needs to swing across
three honeycombs,

hanging on to each through
a very narrow ledge.

And if that's not hard enough,

the middle honeycomb needs to be
rotated 270 degrees into place.

This is all about finger strength.

This one may be hard for Jeremy...
Go, Jeremy!

..considering his hand condition.

OK, he's on that
first honeycomb now.

He's gotta get it swinging,

gotta get the momentum up...
Difficult.

..and then make the transition
to the second one.

Here he goes.

So difficult.

Lands it!
Oh, yes!

(AUDIENCE CHEERS AND SHOUTS)
Well done, Jeremy!

Needs to lock it into position,
though.

Perfect.

Oh-ho-ho, this guy is good.
CROWD: Jeremy! Jeremy!

But this next jump is
the really tough one. Oh.

And now as long as
he can land this one...

(GASPS) Jeremy, no!
(BUZZER BLARES)

Oh!
No!

We had Jeremy up on the wall.

We were ready for the chat.

You know what, Bec?

Despite missing the grab,

he got his fingertips to the mat,

but he was just inches short.
That was a tremendous effort.

Oh, he did. So close but so far.

Jeremy running around 25 seconds
slower than Le Hua

when he came off the Beehive.

It just goes to show how high Le
has set the bar for all the ninjas

coming after him.

Great run, though.

How did that feel? First time on
the course, and you were dominating.

Thank you, thank you. Yeah...

I don't know what to say.

You know, I'm absolutely devastated.

I had the catch. It was in my hands.

I just slipped slightly.

I was backing you, too.

Do you want to see the replay?
Where's the replay?

Confident here. I just... I was well
over top of it, coming down on it.

Yeah, you had it.
I took my eyes off it, I think,

and looked at the platform.

But, yeah, I was definitely
in there.

Too straight-armed. Maybe just
needed to throw slightly bigger.

One more backswing would've got it.

(CHEERING)
MANDY: Good boy.

Good job, Jeremy.
SHANE: Good on you. Well done.

Did well.
MANDY: He did well, didn't he?

Yeah.
You proud of him?

Yeah.

BEN: Well, from an emerging new star

to one of our most colourful
supporters.

Here's Nick Kyrgios on the sideline.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Hey, guys.
I'm with Celeste Dixon's dad, Steve,

and he's pretty famous
in the ninja community.

Why are you famous?

I've always supported Celeste,

but I just want her to...
bring home the bacon!

(CHUCKLES) So, she's...

This is her fifth time competing,

and I heard you're upping the ante
this year. Is there something else?

Oh, winner, winner, bacon dinner.

That's what we want.
(LAUGHTER)

Is she gonna bring home
the bacon tonight?

She's gonna bring home the bacon,
and she's gonna bring it...

..right to me.
Fingers crossed. Hope she goes well.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

REBECCA: (CHUCKLES) And we're all
looking forward to seeing Celeste

out on the course very, very soon.

BEN: Coming up,

can Celeste bring home that bacon?

Bring home that bacon!

After his shock disqualification
last year,

Mike Snow returns in his quest
to conquer Mt Midoriyama.

He touches the grey frame.

That's a disqualification.

Oh no.

Last year on stage two, I had
a little bit of a brain fart.

I got DQ'd.

This season I'm back for
a little bit of a redemption.

I wanna take out the whole thing.

And look out, Australia.

Here comes Ashlin Herbert.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

(DRAMATIC THEME MUSIC)

REBECCA MADDERN: Welcome back
to 'Australian Ninja Warrior'

at Sydney Olympic Park.

Tonight, the two furthest,
fastest ninjas

will meet on that mighty
Power Tower.

BEN FORDHAM: They'll go head-to-head
to win an incredible advantage,

a short cut straight
into the grand final.

But Mt Midoriyama has been
near impossible to tame.

Only one ninja,

Le Hua, has made it to the top
of the Warped Wall so far.

Will anyone join him?

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Let's find out. Our next contestant
is a 'Ninja' veteran.

She was a semi-finalist in
seasons one, two and three

and looking to make amends

for splashing out
in the heats last year.

It is former
gymnast

Celeste Dixon, loudly and proudly
supported by mum Leanne,

brother Roderick and the bacon man
himself, dad Stephen.

There he is with his famous catchcry
of, "Bring home the bacon."

Sizzle, sizzle!
Bacon on the griddle!

Hey, that is next level.
Yeah, it's hectic.

He's literally in a bacon suit.

(HOSTS LAUGH)
Yes, he is.

(TIMER BEEPS)

Here's Celeste Dixon taking on
obstacle number one.

Will she make it through to
the heats this year?

Ooh.
Let's hope she doesn't fry!

(LAUGHS)
She survives her first big test.

Big Dipper to Rope time now.

Celeste needs to be careful.

These early obstacles
have brought many ninjas unstuck.

Come on, Celeste!
You can hear Dad on the sidelines.

Lift it up and speed down!
Again...

Come on, Celeste.

Look at her face.

Push, push!

Oh, she goes. Come on, the rope.

Yes!
Yes!

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)
Oh, yes.

That is what it's all about!
Bring home the bacon!

Bring home the bacon, he says.
She's trying, Dad. She's trying.

Bring home the bacon!
You've got it!

He's revving up the crowd,
getting them behind his little girl.

CROWD: Bring home the bacon!

She's on the Cyclone Spinner,

getting her hands
exactly where she needs them

and wants them -
a good grip absolutely crucial.

Here she goes.

OK, one...

STEVE: Hold on!

Two...
Hold on!

Three...
Oh!

Ooh!

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Home!
Dad hollering from the sideline now.

She is used to it. She just focuses
on the task at hand,

and she's chosen path A.
Bring home the bacon!

And that is the known obstacles
for Celeste,

and she's been on
the Peg Board before.

She's not just been on this obstacle
before. She's beaten it.

That'll give her confidence.

No pleasure cruise!

(LAUGHS) This will be a real test
of upper-body strength,

the Peg Board. Celeste has the
upper-body strength in spades.

She looks so strong this year.

Here she goes.
That's it!

Look at her back!
Look at the back muscles!

You're looking at exactly
the same thing as me.

Wow!
Look at that.

It's like she's got a ten-pack
on her back.

She has.
You've got it, Celeste!

Oh, look at this.

OK.
You've got it!

This now is just raw determination.

Grip strength.

(CROWD SHOUTS)

Look at the technique here -
using the rope

between her legs to assist
while grabbing the pegs.

That lets her conserve energy.

No, no, no, no, no!

Take your time!

It's OK. She's recovered.

Now it's all about the hands,
all about the swing.

Oh, look at her!
This is tough.

She's rock solid.

She is fitter than she's ever been,
and that's saying something,

'cause she is one fit competitor.

Here she goes on the
second peg board now.

Getting ready for the dismount.

Yeah!
Does it.

And listen to Dad.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Bring home the bacon!
OK, big, deep breath.

This is the last obstacle
before the Warped Wall.

She is tougher than woodpecker lips.

Now, she hasn't hit a buzzer
since series two.

Sizzle, sizzle!
Bacon's on the griddle!

(CHEERING AND LAUGHTER)

I found Nick Kyrgios a new coach.
I'm not hiring.

Only the second female to reach
obstacle five tonight,

after Raphaela Wiget.

But, remember,

the Bar Hop is the obstacle
that tripped her up last season.

Up she goes on to the first bar.
STEVE: Yes!

Dad's happy with that.
She's got a few more to go.

Changing her grip to
the mixed grip now

as she swings, gets momentum,
makes the transfer.

(CHEERING)
Perfect stuff, Ben.

Now she'll reach out to the
fixed bar or swing to the fixed bar.

And then she's got two more moves
to go.

This is her moment.

Holding my breath.
Holding my breath.

Yes!
Yes, she lands it!

This is her test.

She's halfway, Ben.

But the upper body will be burning.

Here... Whoa, she's just kicked
the bar there in front of her.

Luckily, it stays on.

Here comes Celeste.

Can she make this transfer?

(ALL EXCLAIM AND BUZZER BLARES)

Oh no!

Her face might've said yes,

but her arms said no.
That's alright!

Oh.
That's my girl!

WOMAN: Well done!

That's gold, Celeste! Gold!

After screaming,
"Bring home the bacon,"

Dad just said, "That's my girl,"

and that's a proud dad.

Fantastic stuff.

So, let's have a look at that
one more time.

Celeste's problems started when
she nudged the bar with her foot,

creating a moving target.

Then she didn't have quite the
right technique on that last lache.

Her leap was far too flat.

If she'd found more air, her weight
would've come straight down,

and the bar would've stayed steady.

(CHEERING)

SHANE:
Celeste, sizzle, sizzle, sizzle.

That was very, very good. Well done.

Yeah, not good enough.

I'm pretty disappointed in myself,
to be honest.

Oh, you can't be disappointed
with that, Nick.

Still did pretty good.

Thanks.
Awesome. Celeste!

(CHEERING)

BEN: Celeste is one of
our strongest competitors,

but she couldn't make it to
the Warped Wall.

Mt Midoriyama ruthless tonight.

Just one ninja has conquered
the course so far.

But if anyone can get all the way
to the buzzer,

it's our next contestant.

After a shock disqualification
in last year's GF...

Oh no.

..this UK-based stuntman is back

for another shot at the crown.

Triple grand-finalist Mike Snow.

(ROCK MUSIC)

MIKE: My stunt career is going good.
I've been busy over in the UK,

where I'm now based.

Yeah, it was a little bit hectic
being in the UK,

because of COVID.

(ROARS)

Old mate Boris Johnson's
official advice

in regards to exercising outdoors

was that he encouraged
unlimited amounts of it,

so me and the parkour community
were like,

"OK." (LAUGHS)

(ROCK MUSIC)

Alrighty. Well, this is home
for the next two weeks.

People might look at the lengths
I've gone to just to compete

on the show. I did my two weeks'
mandatory hotel quarantine.

But I just couldn't not do it.

I had to.

This season,
I'm back for redemption

and to just continue on
that upward trajectory

that I've got towards
winning the whole thing,

and just know that I finally
completed a massive goal.

Until I have,
it's always gonna bug me.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Well, this guy will do anything

to be crowned Australia
Ninja Warrior 2021 champion.

He's flown halfway around the world,

spent two weeks in quarantine

and left his girlfriend
behind in London.

Victoria joins us
from the big screen.

Hey, Victoria.
VICTORIA: (CHUCKLES) Hey.

Victoria,
how are you feeling right now?

Nervous.
Well, Victoria,

he's done so well in past seasons
of 'Australian Ninja Warrior',

but we're all hoping,
like you, I imagine,

that he goes even better tonight.
Yeah.

(TIMER BEEPS)
And Mike Snow launches himself

at the 2021 'Ninja Warrior' course.

Bang!

And just keep in the back
of your mind

while you're watching Mike Snow
run this course,

he has only just come out of
two weeks of quarantine,

so his training -

well, that's obviously
been disrupted, though.

He is a supreme athlete, Ben.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)
Look at the leap.

Mike Snow is so beautiful to watch.

So far cruising through this course.

On to the Cyclone Spinner now.

Mike has seen some strong ninjas
come unstuck on this obstacle,

so he's got to take his time getting
his feet deep into the holes.

OK, he's wedging his feet in.
That's it. Wedges the feet in.

He's wedging.
Really important. He is strong.

Alright, well,
let's watch this, boys,

'cause he's one of
our heaviest ninjas.

Can he hold that big frame on?

Yes, he can!
Yeah!

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Beautiful.
Where's he going - A or B?

A or B?
B. What do you think?

I think he's going A.
Oh, he's going B.

Yeah, he goes for the faster path,
B.

He doesn't wanna
just hit the buzzer.

He's got his eyes on
the Power Tower.

He's running about 13 seconds behind
Le Hua's time at the moment.

Weight For It is first up.

He's never done this one before.

There is something to marvel at
about this guy.

His upper-body strength
is second to none.

Just have a look as
he's swinging there.

His pecs, his arms, his triceps,

his back muscles,

his core muscles.
I mean, this guy is so built.

That's a comprehensive summary.
(LAUGHS)

He's making up time here.
Path B is proving faster.

(BOTH CHUCKLE)

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Look at the dismount.
Ten out of ten.

And his time after obstacle four -
identical to Le.

Go!

Victoria - she's loving this.

Can he become the first
to conquer the Beehive?

He looks like a Greek god.

This will be the first tonight,
yeah, if someone does it.

Taking a moment to contemplate this,

the Beehive.
He's gonna have to get moving.

He's pretty set that he's gonna
get on top of the Warped Wall.

Just needs to navigate the Beehive,
though.

It's all about finger strength.
What will he do?

OK. Grips a hold for
the first honeycomb.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

And now...
Good at swinging.

He's just got this ability to get
so much momentum happening so quick.

Makes it look easy, doesn't he?

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Oh, how good is this?

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

The Beehive.

He's gonna be the first to do it.

Wow!

This is the hard one, this third.

Oh, I'm really nervous.

OK, here he goes.

Whoa!
Gets it.

Yes!

Grips it. Holds it.
Oh.

Well done, Mike Snow.
This guy is so good.

The first ninja past the Beehive,
Mike Snow!

Up he goes, Mike Snow,
straight to the top!

HOSTS: Ooh!

Ben, I don't think he was prepared
for that extra 10cm

on top of the wall.

Ooh, that'll cost him a bit of time
and energy.

Three tries?
Three tries.

Here we go, Mikey. Come on, mate.

(CROWD CHANT)

And now the stuntman will launch
himself at the Warped Wall.

Here he comes.

Yeah.
Yes!

No problem for Mike Snow there.
(HORN BLARES)

You called it!

And that puts Mike Snow
in second place

and Power Tower contention.

Great to have you back, Mike Snow.

How good was that?

After two weeks sitting in a hotel,

it must feel like it was worth it.

I didn't just sit in the hotel.

I did some skipping and some cardio.

Of course you did.
We thought you might've. (LAUGHS)

Mate, you're the first person
to conquer lane B tonight,

so congratulations.

Put your hands together
for Mike Snow.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Mike was looking for a fast time,
choosing the quicker path B.

The unfamiliar obstacles didn't faze
him one single bit,

cruising through Weight For It,

conserving energy by using
a single backswing

to transition between bars.

He dispatched the Beehive just as
clinically. And on the Warped Wall,

it might be 10cm higher this year
and took him two goes,

but he got that buzzer.

Well, that was a terrific run
by Mike Snow.

He may have done enough, Bec,
to go through to the Power Tower.

Let's just hope that that failed
first attempt on the Warped Wall

doesn't cost him.
Let's check the leaderboard.

There it is.

Mike Snow currently in that

second Power Tower position.

After last year's heartbreak,

Le Hua sits at the top.

But there are some seriously good
ninjas still to run.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

We're at the pointy end
of this elite heat,

and the Power Tower,

with that ticket straight to
the grand final, awaits.

With ninja legends like former
champion Rob Patterson

and 'Flashlin' Ashlin Herbert
limbering up backstage,

the competition is about to
ramp up yet again.

Or could young gun David Lack
blow them all out of the park?

His first 'Ninja Warrior' run
right after this.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

(DRAMATIC THEME MUSIC)

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

REBECCA MADDERN: Welcome back
to 'Australian Ninja Warrior'.

Over the break, some of our
favourite ninjas took to the course.

Hi. I'm Jarryd.
And I'm Will.

BOTH: And, together, we're...

Will and Jarryd.
Jarryd and...

Jarryd and Will.
Will and Jarryd.

Jarryd and Will.
BEN FORDHAM: Whatever, boys.

Will and Jarryd splashed out
on exactly the same obstacle

in the semis last year.

Tonight, Will chose path B,
but crashed out on the Beehive.

The back muscles are burning.

Oh!
Oh no!

And it proves too much
for Will Kelly.

Jarryd didn't even make it to
the Crossroads,

spinning out on the Cyclone Spinner.

Oh! We lost Jarryd Sutton.

You're not a happy man.
I'm absolutely gutted, to be honest.

So,
Will claims 2021 bragging rights.

Season-two champion Rob Patterson

returned for another tilt
at the title...

That looked smooth.
..and quickly discovered

that this year's course is
another beast altogether.

Oh! He's in trouble.

Oh, how's he gonna get himself
out of this?

No, he's gonna save it.

(GASPS)
Rob Patterson rescues himself.

Oh!
Oh, my!

How on earth did he save that?

And after that near-disaster
on the Cyclone Spinner,

Rob wasn't making any more mistakes.

Yes!
There he goes.

On top of the Warped Wall.
Bang!

Rob Patterson,
hand down on the buzzer.

And he does it. He's knocked
Mike Snow out of second spot.

Let's have a look at
the leaderboard right now.

Less than nine seconds in it,

and at this stage,

it's Rob Patterson and Le Hua

who'll be on the Power Tower.

But there's some big talk
amongst some big-name ninjas

that our next competitor
could go all the way.

Please welcome David Lack.

(ROCK MUSIC)

My name's David Lack. I'm 22 years
old, from Brisbane, Queensland,

and I'm an engineering apprentice.

I work with Le Hua.

I started doing some work experience
while I was studying in uni,

and I just loved everything
about it.

So I dropped out of uni,
started doing this apprenticeship,

and I can't wait to see
where I go with it.

Work is pretty fun.
We have our morning meeting,

and we pretty much do some pull-ups,

a little bit of a workout, and then
we get stuck straight into the day.

And then every lunchtime,
we get into some challenges -

just kind of muck around.
It's really good.

LE HUA: At work, he doesn't rush,

actually. He makes sure that
he gets the job right.

But when he gets on the course,
he's just all speed.

I certainly look up to Le
as a mentor of mine.

He coaches me. He guides me.

He tries to get me to be
the best that I can be.

But I think it's time for me to show
him who's boss on the course.

Tonight, I feel like
I'm definitely gonna beat Le.

I've been training really hard,

and I'm gonna put everything
I've got into this run.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Some fighting words there
from David Lack -

the pupil, laying down
the gauntlet to his teacher.

And there's his sensei, Le Hua,
with David's girlfriend, Jade.

Stay cool, man.

BEN: There's a big claim here
from David Lack.

He reckons when Ben Polson went up
Mt Midoriyama last year,

he's done a better time on
a rope climb the same distance.

It's a massive claim.

Who saw that?
Nobody saw it, apart from him.

(LAUGHS)

But we might see, right now,
that he's got what it takes.

Well...
Trust in your training.

Maybe he's the next Ben Polson.

(TIMER BEEPS)
Here we go - David Lack.

Here he is, on season five.

He's really strong,
I can tell already.

Oh, nice start.
Brand-new ninja -

great start.
Certainly is, Nick.

He made short work of
the Shrinking Steps.

Now for the Big Dipper to Rope.

JADE: Come on!
Down he goes.

A big leap.
Oh, yeah, yeah.

He's confident - super confident.

Yeah, he's good.

And he's light, too - 75kg.
(BOTH SHOUT ENCOURAGEMENT)

Cyclone Spinner.

Thinks about Mt Midoriyama
every single day.

Now, let's look.

He's not as flat
as he could be against the wheel,

but he's strong enough.
He's fighting it.

Gotta stick the backside in.
He stumbles.

(ALL SHOUT)

Oh! He is at the Crossroads.
Here he goes.

Lane A - the path known.
Now, that is the same path as Le,

and they are level pegging
at this part of the course.

You've got this, David!
First up, it's the Peg Board.

That will be followed by
the Bar Hop -

two obstacles, back to back,
that are gonna burn your upper body.

Here he goes.

And just look at the discipline
and strength

involved in pulling those pegs out,

maintaining your body weight...

(CHEERING)

But he's doing it in a breeze.

Oh, yes!

This is, far and away,
the fastest run of the night.

In fact, David Lack is now
a full ten seconds ahead of Le Hua.

Oh, yes.
He's doing all this so quickly.

Come on, David Lack. You are
setting a great time tonight.

Here he go...

Oh, no, no!
Uh-oh. Uh-oh.

Uh-oh. In a spot of bother.
How do you correct that?

Well, you... Oh, I don't know.
Oh, you can't, can you?

(ALL GASP)
The bar's in the water!

Oh no!

No. Oh...
Oh no.

OK. What are we gonna do here?

He's in massive trouble.

His only chance is to go
from here to the platform - 4.3m!

He can't do it from there, can he?

Yes, he can! I think he can!

What's he gonna do?
BOTH: Oh!

Wow!

Gosh! How gutsy was that?
Oh, Dave!

He was prepared to put his face
on the line...

Oh, my goodness!
..to try to achieve his dream.

Oh, wow!

Look at Le's face.
I think I've almost lost my voice.

He's like, "What are you doing?"
Don't worry about Le's face.

Worry about David's face -
it almost got knocked off.

(LAUGHS)

He didn't get to the buzzer,

but he knows he's done enough
to get through to the semis.

(CHEERING)

David showed lightning speed,

absolutely flying through
the first two obstacles.

He just made it through
Cyclone Spinner,

but losing that final bar
on the Bar Hop

made David's mission
'Mission: Impossible'.

He attempted a lache straight
to the platform -

so gutsy -
but the distance was too great.

(CHEERING)

The master and his apprentice.
How proud is Le right now?

But, for now,
Le has got David's measure,

and there's every chance we'll be
seeing Le on the Power Tower.

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

Two champion ninjas,
hell-bent on redemption.

Both desperate for a Power Tower win
tonight

and that path straight to
the grand final.

It's this competition's greatest
and most enduring rivalry -

the Barefoot Ninja, Dan Mason...

For me, getting past
that semi-final -

I've only managed to do it once
in four years,

so being able to just skip through
it is gonna be a huge advantage.

..and 'Flashlin' Ashlin Herbert.

ASHLIN: It's a massive game-changer.
Skip right to the grand final?

Yeah, that's awesome.

They both take to the course next
on 'Australian Ninja Warrior'.

(CHEERING)

(DRAMATIC THEME MUSIC)

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

BEN FORDHAM: We're back
at Sydney Olympic Park,

where Mt Midoriyama
has been pounding our ninjas.

Just three have made it up
the wall so far tonight...

(CHEERING)

..and the bloke out on
the course right now

is determined to join them.

It's Barefoot Ninja Daniel Mason.

He's made it to the Big Dipper
without incident.

REBECCA MADDERN: Yeah, precision -
absolute precision there.

And his wife, Maddi,
and his two sisters

cheering him on via the big screen.

Daniel made a shock exit
in the semis last year.

Tonight, he's focused on
the Power Tower

and getting a shot at that coveted
golden ticket into the grand final.

He looks so calm, doesn't he?

He looks so calm,
but he's going so quick.

And perfect form there
on the Cyclone Spinner -

his body as still as a statue.

Daniel steps off. No worries.

OK, Crossroads.
Is he gonna go safe?

No! It's the daring Daniel Mason.

What?

"Oh, what?" His family knows
this is a risky choice,

but Daniel has a need for speed

if he wants to guarantee his spot
on the Power Tower.

Le's two minutes, 16 is the time
to beat to take top spot.

Gets the bar first time.

Shooting the next bar higher
and further away.

Mixed grip, facing backwards,

thrusting those legs...
What's he doing, sideway...?

As you get the momentum...
Ah, I see what he's doing.

That was strategy.
And the tactic seems to be working.

Now, this next one.

Yes!
He's made it.

This is looking like
a very quick time.

He's barely working up a sweat.

There he goes.

Look how quickly
he makes that swing.

Oh, this guy is good.
Make no mistake.

He's one of 12 ninjas to compete

in all five seasons
of 'Australian Ninja Warrior'.

He knows exactly what is required.

Now the Beehive. He's ten seconds
behind Le on to obstacle five,

but this obstacle has been
a big leveller tonight. Here we go.

And now...
Wow!

Oh, dear me!
Oh, no.

He's made it across to
the second honeycomb,

but now he's struggling to lock it
into place. It's costing him time.

Yes!
He's done it.

It wasn't pretty,
but he's got the job done.

And now a sideways lache.

Look, he gets the legs so high.

He's almost touching the top
of the obstacle.

ALL: Oh!
How good's that?

All that's in front of him now
is the Warped Wall.

Desperate to get on the Power Tower.

He wants to have a crack at that
express pass to the grand final.

This is the Warped Wall -
10cm higher in season five.

Here he goes.

Will not need a second go!

And there he marches,
straight towards the red buzzer.

Boom! And he's done it -

second-fastest.

The Barefoot Ninja has one foot
on that Power Tower.

Daniel Mason,

one of our 12 ninjas who have been
with us from the very beginning.

Great to see you on top of the
Warped Wall, Daniel. Welcome back.

Oh, thank you.

He's half-man, half-bird,
Daniel Mason -

flying through the air
on Weight For It.

He transitions from one bar
to the next.

And that same ability to get height

leaves him plenty of time
to find his grip on the Beehive.

Then up the Warped Wall and now
in contention for the Power Tower.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

You've got that look like, "I'm
here, and I'm ready for business."

Yeah. I mean, three of my four
years, I've gone out in the semis,

so a chance to potentially
skip that stage would be...

(CHUCKLES)
(CHUCKLES) ..extremely nice.

Well done. Congratulations.

The Barefoot Ninja!

(CHEERING)

Alright. Well, this is
the serious time of the night.

Daniel Mason grabs second spot
on the leaderboard.

That means Le Hua will definitely be
on the Power Tower tonight,

but who will join him?
Will it be the Barefoot Ninja?

(CHEERING)

Or will it be our last competitor?

One of the most explosive
athletes we've ever seen.

This 'Ninja' favourite banked
a Power Tower advantage

in last year's heats.

What's about to happen? Let's find
out with 'Flashlin' Ashlin Herbert!

(CHEERING)

I'm Ashlin Herbert. A lot of people
know me as Ashlin 'Flashlin'.

I'm 27... I think.

Am I 27?

27.

The whole crowd is cheering him on!

This is my fifth season
competing on 'Ninja Warrior'.

He's done it!

Ashlin Herbert -
'Ninja Warrior' superstar.

But last year, I... (CHUCKLES)

didn't make the grand finals,
which was the first time ever.

I cannot believe
what I've just seen.

But, yeah,
I'm back to try and redeem myself.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

And there he is - Ashlin Herbert.

Can he knock Daniel Mason
out of second place?

And there's his girlfriend,
Sarah Blackmore.

Come on, Ash.
She splashed out earlier tonight.

(CHEERING)

He is an absolute superstar,

but he can make
the occasional error.

All he's thinking about right now
is making up for last year.

Now, Nick, I hope you've
got your running shoes on,

'cause we're gonna need them.

'Flashlin' Ashlin Herbert
has entered the building.

(TIMER BEEPS)

Here he goes.

2:26 will put him ahead of Dan Mason
and on the Power Tower. Good start.

And don't blink, 'cause you'll
miss it. This guy is so fast.

Yeah. We don't just
call him 'Flashlin'

'cause it rhymes with Ashlin.

It's because of his pace.
SARAH: Yeah, nice!

He just moves so quickly
through the course.

He's an absolute jet.

Has been known, in the past, though,
to go a little bit quick

and make a misstep and fall
when he shouldn't have fallen.

But he is a supreme athlete.
Make no mistake.

Here he goes on the Cyclone Spinner.
Look at his form.

Yeah, this will be
the slowest obstacle for Ashlin -

only because he can't make it go
any faster. He hangs on.

Yeah!

Where's he going? A or B?
He'll probably go...

No, we're going B, for sure. 100%.

(AUDIENCE SHOUT AND CHEER)
Yeah, well, she wants him to go B.

B it is.

B!
B.

See?
Brand-new obstacles - lane B.

He knows he has to beat
Daniel Mason's time,

and path B is the way to do it.

Right now, Ashlin Herbert's about
four seconds slower than Le Hua,

but, more importantly, he's seven
seconds faster than Daniel Mason.

One thing about 'Flashlin' Ashlin
Herbert is not only his speed -

it's his strength in the upper...

Whoops!
Oh! A bit of a miss there.

A touch-and-go.
Amazing save.

And he just keeps rolling through
the obstacle, like nothing happened.

He is so strong in the upper body.

He's bolting through the course,
Bec, Ashlin Herbert.

We're seeing something special here.
Grab the last one!

Oh, look at this!

All he has to do now
is fly to safety,

and he does.
(CHEERING)

This is the fastest run
we've seen tonight.

Le's top spot could be in danger.

And he is on the Beehive,
30 seconds ahead of Daniel Mason.

But this is the obstacle where
it could all go terribly wrong.

He cannot afford to lose focus
on this one.

On to the first honeycomb.

Gets the legs kicking.

Those legs are getting mucked up
in the rope a little bit,

but now he's clear.
Oh! What about that?

What a...
He spun it in one motion!

(CHEERING)
SARAH: Come on!

He's looking at clocking up...
Oh!

..the fastest time of the night,
'Flashlin' Ashlin Herbert.

Here you go.
Here he comes, Ashlin Herbert.

Straight up the wall!

Oh!
Oh!

'Flashlin' Ashlin books his spot
on the Power Tower.

How fast was that?!

What did I just witness?

Well, just look at the height
Ashlin gets on the Beehive,

and how easily he locks in
that second honeycomb.

Then it's straight up
the Warped Wall.

Next stop - Power Tower.

I had a feeling we'd be talking
to you here.

(LAUGHTER)

You've always been in the top three,
top four, top five.

What about this year, 2021?

Hopefully I make it to the mountain.
(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

You wanna see Ashlin Herbert
at the top of Mt Midoriyama?

(CHEERING)

Put your hands together for him.

Well done, Ashlin.

And without a doubt
one of the most popular ninjas.

He splashed in the semi-finals
last year,

but he's back and on top of
the leaderboard.

Well, at the start of the night,

we all expected to see
Ashlin Herbert and Daniel Mason

facing off on the Power Tower.

But Le Hua fought off a host

of contenders to hang on to

that second spot.

Still, overall, it was a tough night

for our ninjas,

with only five hitting the buzzer.

But newcomer David Lack

is definitely one to watch.

Celeste Dixon and Raphaela Wiget

were the best-performing women

on the course,

while the Sparkly Ninja,

Russell Morris,

is still in the competition,

thanks to his quick time

on the first two obstacles.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

The two furthest, fastest of the
night are Ashlin Herbert and Le Hua,

and, therefore, have won the right
to face off on the Power Tower.

It's ninja against ninja
in a race to hit that buzzer.

First to do so will get
the massive advantage -

an express pass straight
into the grand final.

The stakes are huge. Our ninjas are
ready, and the Power Tower looms.

Don't miss this incredible showdown,

right after the break.

(CHEERING)

(DRAMATIC MUSIC)

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

(DRAMATIC THEME MUSIC)

BEN FORDHAM: Welcome back to
'Australian Ninja Warrior'.

It is Power Tower time,
and I'll tell you what,

the two people on the
Power Tower had early,

surprise exits last year -

Ashlin Herbert and Le Hua -

but not this year. They are
ready to go, ready to rumble.

Ben, have a look at it.
This is an insane race to the top,

and the winner tonight gives
themselves a huge advantage.

That's right - they bypass
the semi-finals altogether.

They land themselves straight
into the grand final,

one step closer to Mt Midoriyama.

Yeah, Bec, these two could not
be more different.

Ashlin's younger by 13 years,

but at 176cm and 75kg,

he's also shorter and heavier.
Le is all lean muscle.

But I think the big difference
will be experience.

Ashlin - he's been here before.

And when you're facing
the Power Tower, experience counts.

OK. Let's check out this beast
of a Power Tower.

The first stage - a 20m sprint,

and then scramble up
five massive steps.

Then it's a slide down
an unstable fire pole

before jumping on to
the Floating Steps.

One ninjas have completed
the Floating Steps,

it's back up a pole to
the Dropping Shelves.

From there, they must lache 1.75m
to the platform and the buzzer.

(CHEERING)
NICK KYRGIOS: Well, they've taken

two different paths
to the Warped Wall,

but it's landed them here
at the Power Tower.

Ashlin, my main man,
how are you feeling?

Yeah, feelin' pretty good.
This is...

It's gonna be a good...
good little race, I reckon.

Le, what about you?
Do you think you can take it out?

I think Le 'Flashlin' Hua has
a nice ring to it, don't you?

It certainly does.
Get ready for this, Australia.

You're gonna love it.

(CHEERING)

Here we go!

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

Look at their faces.

Game on.

(TIMER BEEPS)
And they are off.

Both Le and Ashlin set a cracking
pace as they set off up the stairs.

Up they come now.
Who's gonna get there first?

Ashlin just in front.
Le's sticking to him.

Ashlin's first down the pole.

OK. Le has yet to reach
the Floating Steps.

Come on, Le!

I think he's overthinking this -
hesitating, hesitating...

He tries to make...
ALL: Oh!

No, he's fallen off!

Le! Le is down.

It's gonna be tough
to claw back time.

No!
He's a fighter.

Meanwhile, Ashlin is up
on the other pole.

Now on to the Shelves.

And Ashlin Herbert
edging towards the buzzer.

Yeah, Le... No, he's
a million miles from the action.

Hand down!
Bang!

And Ashlin Herbert
books his place,

catapults himself straight
into the grand final.

Mate, that was fantastic.

Le is determined to finish
the Power Tower - so gutsy.

And Ashlin's there to see him
across the line,

and a big hug between
the two of them.

Well done, Ashlin Herbert -

the golden ticket straight
into the grand final.

Ashlin - too good.

Too good tonight.

Way too good.

Ashlin Herbert was fastest away
and established a handy lead,

racing to the top
of the Power Tower.

But where Ashlin clinched victory

was in his smooth transfer
to the Floating Steps.

Le - he was more tentative
and slipped attempting the crossing.

And from there,
it was all Ashlin Herbert,

who now goes straight through
to the grand final.

(CHEERING)

Ashlin, mate,
you're an absolute champion.

I picked you from the start, and
you delivered. How are you feeling?

Thanks, mate. Yeah, it was...
it was a great run.

I'm feelin' awesome after that.

Now, Nick Kyrgios, it's been
so much fun working with you.

We've had a lot of laughs.
I appreciate it.

Thank you so much. Superstar.

Superstar Ashlin Herbert.

And Ashlin Herbert, he is off to
the grand final. How good is that?

(CHEERING)

Whoo!

(CHEERING AND WHISTLING)

Do you wanna race?
No, thank you. I don't wanna race.

REBECCA: And we look forward
to Nick Kyrgios joining us

for the semi-finals.
Well, usually,

in these Power Tower battles,
it comes down to a split second.

But on this occasion,
a slip and a stumble to Le

gave it to Ashlin.
He gets the golden ticket -

the express pass
into the grand final.

He was way too good tonight,
wasn't he, Ben?

And that's all from us tonight,

but make sure you join us tomorrow.

We will reset, and I will guarantee
you more thrills and spills

on 'Australian Ninja Warrior'
at Sydney Olympic Park.

Goodnight, everyone.
Goodnight.

(AUDIENCE CHEERS)

(DRAMATIC THEME MUSIC)

Tomorrow night...
NATHAN RYLES: Mt Midoriyama,

I'm coming for you.

..it's a night of ninja royalty,

with an incredible seven previous
grand-finalists...

RYAN SOLOMON: I don't care
how angry Mt Midoriyama is.

This year,
I'm gettin' up that thing.

..as the battle of man
versus mountain heats up.

And it's couples' night.

There's Travis Edwards
and his partner,

the Koori Ninja, Jessica Russell.

But I'm hittin'
the buzzer this year.

Could nanny Judith Carroll

and her paramedic boyfriend,
Mat Hutchins-Read,

become our next ninja power couple?

I'd love it if Mat and I

could make the Power Tower together.
That would be

a pretty awesome showdown, I think.

And we've got an Olympian
in the house - Ky Hurst.

I've never been so nervous.

Maybe he'll end up
on the Power Tower

for a shot at a fast pass
to the grand final.

One thing's for certain.

Mt Midoriyama
won't be making it easy.