Deadly skill all in mind
DON’T be surprised if you find yourself running around the Gold Coast tomorrow beside a bona fide ninja warrior wearing indigenous flag budgie smugglers.
Mermaid Beach carpenter, AMPM HQ trainer and Australian Ninja Warrior (ANW)
star in the making Jack Wilson is an ambassador for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, which will field a team in the marathon’s 10km run event.
A proud Kalkadoon man who grew up in northwest Queensland, Wilson turned to long-distance running to steer himself away from drugs and alcohol.
In 2013, he joined the Indigenous Marathon Project, which saw him mentored by Olympian Robert de Castella for the New York Marathon and his journey covered in an ABC TV documentary.
Wilson returns to TV on July 9 to compete as “Deadly Ninja” on Channel 9’s new physical endurance series Australian Ninja Warrior.
A contagiously enthusiastic positive livewire, the 23-yearold applied for the show at a workmate’s suggestion.
“I looked it up and filled out all the application that day ... and before I knew it I got the call and before I knew it I was in Sydney and then before I knew it I was on the show and then ... it was all just coming together.
“It was meant to happen.” For Wilson, ANW is a
chance to both represent Australia’s first national people and promote the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle
He said the challenges contestants faced were more than just physical.
“You can be the fittest guy in the world but when it comes to the day of Ninja Warrior it’s a different story,” he said.
“You get one chance and that’s the beauty of it. It comes down to the day – how your nerves are, how you are in front of people, big crowds and cameras.”
While his background as an endurance runner came in handy, Wilson said his mental strength was his greatest asset – in both sport and life.
“My mind is very strong and I learnt that off my father.
“If you have a healthy mind you have a healthy life, so if you can master that mental strength, all the other strengths fall into place.”
If you can do it in budgie smugglers? Even better.
“That’s it, hey,” Wilson said. “Free range of movement. You don’t have anything holding you back then.” ● There will be no return southern bus service from the race precinct. Use the G:link or make other arrangements.
CAR
DROP-OFF ZONE
● A drop-off zone will be at Davenport St (north Windmill St).
● Vehicles are to access Davenport St via Nerang St and exit via Nind St (westbound).
● The drop-off zone is a fiveminute walk to the race precinct along Nind St (eastbound).
PARKING
● People with a disability parking permits may use the VIP car park at Carey Park in front of Australia Fair Shopping Centre.
P1: AUSTRALIA FAIR SHOPPING CENTRE (EAST SIDE)
● Saturday: Open from 4am, up to 3 hours free. Fees apply after 3 hours.
● Sunday: Open from 4am, up to 3 hours free. Fees apply after 3 hours.
P2: CAREY PARK, MARINE PDE
● Saturday: Limited parking available. Free until 9am. $1.80 per hour.
● Sunday: Not available to participants.
P3: MAL BURKE
CAR PARK, HICKS ST