Ninja stars in our hood
Meet the local men and women on show on Australian Ninja Warrior
DON’T be surprised if a Ninja Warrior gym or training centre pops up soon on a street corner near you.
Channel 9’s new physical challenge series Australian Ninja Warrior is tipped to ignite a new fitness craze as Aussies work out how to work their way on to future seasons of the show.
More than 2000 people registered for Australian Ninja Warrior the day entries opened, with more than 5000 registrations received by the time auditions began.
The series, part of a hit international franchise, features 250 contestants from mums and dads, doctors and tradies to everyday heroes, athletes and celebs including Bachelor Tim Robards, Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney and former NRL player Beau Ryan.
All competitors, male and female, tackle the same obstacles in five heats, three semifinals and a grand final.
The late stuntman and actor Johann Ofner wasn’t the only local to qualify for the show’s televised rounds, which premiere on Sunday at 7pm. Other homegrown competitors expected to fare well on the series include:
JAYMES WRIGHT, 26 A personal trainer at AMPM HQ and former soldier originally from the UK, he boasts callisthenics, surfing, skating and basketball among his many skills. Wright was the first guy to do callisthenics on a stand up paddleboard. RUSTY ROBERTS, 44 Banora Point Elvis impersonator and personal trainer competes as Elvis Ninja, of course. Presley and fitness are his passions. Competes in kickboxing, triathlons and taekwondo and has an astonishing Elvis memorabilia collection of more than 20,000 pieces. He even named one of his kids Elvis.
LISA PARKES, 43 The Bangalow mum of three and health and wellness retreat director/personal trainer has dedicated her life to fitness, enjoying soccer, circus, running, OCR, triathlons, ironman and climbing. Broke her back and neck when she was involved in a horrific car accident the day before she was due to compete in the Aerobics World Champion- ships in South Africa. Was told she’d never walk again but has obviously proved medical experts wrong.
“The mind is a powerful thing,” she says. Co-host Freddie Flintoff calls her a “true inspiration”. JMAGGIE-LAURIE SPARK, 31 Volleyball champion, personal trainer and mum Spark loves obstacle course racing and snowboarding. “I’ve never attempted an obstacle course that I haven’t completed,” Spark says. ACK ‘DEADLY NINJA’ WILSON, 23 A proud Kalkadoon man who grew up in North West Queensland, this marathon runner and carpenter loves swimming and surfing and is a trainer at AMPM HQ studios..