All language subtitles for Australian.Ninja.Warrior.S02E01.WEBRip.9Now.en

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

(EPIC MUSIC)

Welcome back to Ninja Island

and the show that, last year,
took the whole country by storm.

They came from all
across the country -

everyday Australian men and women

taking on the toughest
obstacle course in the world.

FREDDIE: Oh, yeah!

BEC: I've never seen anyone
do that better.

Go, you good thing!

They inspired a nation.

People would never believe

that someone that's had a
broken back could actually do that.

We were ambushed.

Some bullet fragments
went through my face.

I'm here to prove
anything is possible.

And they created history.

I can't believe it!

Andrea! She is the first woman
up the Warped Wall.

In 2018, our heroes are back
and they have a score to settle.

Mt Midoriyama.
Mt Midoriyama.

Mt Midoriyama, I'm comin' for you.

I'm very determined
to do better than last year.

I'm wakin' up at 4am in the morning
to train.

The last 365 days,
I've been training for redemption.

After missing that Warped Wall,

I definitely feel a lot of pressure
to get up that thing.

I've come up with something that
I think will really give me the edge.

I've actually built Mt Midoriyama.

This time, I'm getting to the top.

Mt Midoriyama!

But they're joined by
a new crop of ninjas,

each determined that they will be
the first to conquer the course.

I've got what it takes
to get to the end.

Ordinary people...

I'm a hard-working mum.

I'm a primary school teacher.

I'm 64 years young.

..willing to push harder...

You do more with one leg than most
people with two legs ever achieve.

..and reach higher.

It's what I'm made for.

They're all focused
on just one goal -

to beat the world's toughest
obstacle course.

And I just want to be
that one person that does it.

Australian Ninja Warrior is back.

And Ninja Island comes alive.

Come on!

Yes!

Who will write the next chapter?

You can't have doubts.
You've just gotta go hard.

That is phenomenal!

Yes!

What was that?

It's ninja against the course.

BEC: Dig really deep.

I hate losing and this course
is not gonna defeat me.

The challenge is there to be met.

Can she do it? She does!

Who can be Australia's
first Ninja Warrior?

The original and the best
obstacle course in the world returns

and, with it,

some of the everyday athletes
that have become national heroes.

Back tonight,
DJ Ben Polson, Olivia Vivian

and the one and only Tarzaniel.

With a year to prepare,

now's the chance to prove
they've got what it takes this time.

Not only that, we have a whole new
bunch of ninjas

who sat on the lounge last year
and said, "I can do that."

Everyday athletes who think
they've got what it takes.

This year, we've made the course
even bigger and tougher.

Our athletes have been rated
amongst the best in the world

but, remember, only two ninjas
in eight seasons of the US show

have ever conquered Mt Midoriyama.

This year, our prize
jackpots to $200,000

but our ninjas are going to have to
conquer tonight's obstacles

for a chance at the finals.

Let's take a look.

To earn a shot at Mt Midoriyama,

our ninjas will ultimately
have to complete 38 obstacles.

There are six in tonight's
first qualifying heat

and all competitors, male and female,
take on exactly the same course.

First up, the traditional start,
the Quintuple Steps,

five angled platforms
a metre and a half apart.

Touch the water and you're out.

The T-Slide to Punching Bag
tests hand-eye coordination.

Ninjas grab the T-bar
and slide down to the punching bag,

timing their dismount
to reach the platform.

The Bridge of Blades is back
but the blades are set off axis,

making this a much tougher obstacle
than last year.

Next up is Ball Swing to Cargo Net.

Athletes must traverse across
all three balls to the cargo net,

then climb down to safety.

Then we really ramp it up
with the Flying Shelf Grab.

Ninjas must take a massive
2.2-metre leap of faith

to grab each shelf
with only their fingertips.

And finally, everyone's nemesis,
the Warped Wall.

All 4.2 metres of it.

Ninjas have three attempts to reach
the top and complete the course.

It's the top 20 who go
the furthest and fastest tonight

that will make it through
to the semi-finals.

Well, Freddie is course-side for
a close-up view of all the action.

The atmosphere down here
is electric.

You can feel the tension in the air.

Ninja Warrior is back
and I for one can't wait.

OK.

Let's bring out
our first competitor for 2018.

This guy is a firefighter
and an adventure junkie.

He's a lifesaver, ironman,
marathon runner

and now he's training camels
for a 40-day desert crossing.

From Perth, it's Steve Choate.

I'd describe myself

as an ordinary person who likes
to do out-of-the-ordinary things.

Righto. Have a look.

So, I went to the Antarctic
a couple of years ago

and competed in a 42km marathon.

It was negative 20 degrees.

And it was my first marathon.

There's Steve finishing.

Winner!

Yeah, as parents,
we're extremely proud.

Steve doesn't sit still, you know?

He does look for adventure

and I think that's what
motivates him in life.

The next adventure
is to cross the Great Sandy Desert -

a total of 1,200km over 40 days.

There's a fair bit involved
in training five wild camels.

You know, they are 500kg
and they bite, they kick

and do want to pull away from you.

I'm very determined
to finish everything that I start,

so, if I get to Mt Midoriyama,
I'll leave everything on that rope.

(CHEERING AND APPLAUSE)

Well, Ninja Warrior
is officially back.

We have a ninja
stepping up to the plate

and doesn't he look the part, Steve.

Six foot on the old scale.

88kg.

There's mum and dad,
the whole family on the sideline.

Buckle up. Here we go.

Quintuple Steps.

Here we go, Freddie.

Steve Choate trains camels
to cross the desert.

He's a camel trainer.

Not sure that's gonna help him
tonight on the Ninja Warrior course.

Hang on a minute -
you don't know that, Freddie.

This is a brand-new obstacle now,
the T-Slide to Punching Bag.

Here we go.

We didn't see anything this tough
until the semis last year.

Steve Choate is through!

Good work!

Bridge of Blades now.

It is different this year.

It's tilted over
so you can only step on one side.

Smashed it.

We learnt a lesson last year, Bec,

not to go making bold predictions,
but here I go.

Steve Choate
is going up the Warped Wall.

Have a look at the bloke.
Big call, Ben.

Let's see how he goes
on the Balls to Cargo Net.

Onto the balls.

Steve!

In the water.

The slightest mishap causes the
biggest catastrophe for Steve Choate.

Steve, no!

Poor old Steve.

He looked so good
but he just got this all wrong.

Now, see the straight arm.

That means all the work
is being done by his hand.

Then he twists off the platform

so his grip on the second ball
is even worse.

It just goes to show one mistake
on this course and you're gone.

I know you've done some pretty
impressive things in your time.

You've run across Antarctica,
you train camels.

How does the Ninja Warrior course
compare to all of that?

Mate, that is...

I think it's a bit harder
than it looks.

It looks hard,
don't worry about that.

It's amazing.

Something so small knocks you out

but what a crowd, what a really
good night and awesome to be here.

Our first newcomer
has had a crack at the course.

Let's see how someone
with Ninja experience goes.

You'll remember her from Season 1.

She broke her back in a car crash.

This super-mum claims Ninja Warrior
has changed her life.

Lisa Parkes.

My hope for being on the show
is to be an inspiration.

BEC: It was, in fact,
a drunk driver

who smashed into Lisa,
told she would never walk again

and here she is

about to take on the toughest
obstacle course in the world.

I was inundated with
phone calls and messages.

Disabled people calling me and asking
me about different exercises.

Hello.
Hi.

And so I wanted to reach out and help
paraplegic and quadriplegic clients.

It's really nice
to speak to somebody

who's been told that you're paralysed
and you're never gonna walk again.

Whoo-hoo! Do a little hip dance.

Lisa's got this strength inside her.

I just think that she's super-human.

I mean, you grow from
every failure in life,

with Ninja Warrior, especially.

You can fail, you can get up,
you can try again

and you can come back
bigger and better next time.

I want to do better than I did before

and more determined
to go all the way this time.

Here we go, Lisa Parkes.
Determined 44-year-old.

Life has changed since Series 1.

She says she's loving life,
thinking positive.

Look at her smiling
on the start line.

Giving a little bit of a boogie
as well.

Yeah, Lisa!

Oh, look at those beautiful kids
on the sideline

with Lisa's mates, Jamie and Caitlyn.

Lisa!
Whoo!

In Season 1, Lisa went out
in the heats

after falling
on the fourth obstacle.

She is no doubt
looking to go further this year.

46kg, so there's not a lot of her,

but that didn't hold her back
last time around.

You can do it, Mum!

Think about it!

The T-Slide to Punching Bag.

Lisa, Lisa, Lisa!

Let's have a look
at how she handles this.

That punching bag is waiting
and she's got it.

Oh, no, the weight of the bag's
dragging her back.

Oh!
She's in trouble.

Yes, she does! Great rescue.

She stays - a brilliant save.

Come on, Lisa.
You got this!

Bridge of Blades now.
Speed here is the key.

Hang on. Hang on.

Speed is the key but Lisa Parkes
is throwing that rulebook out.

Super slow but she does it!

Uses her lightweight frame
to outsmart the Bridge of Blades.

Oh, only a very experienced ninja
would even attempt this.

Slow and steady
wins the race sometimes.

You're right about that.

OK, this is where
Steve got it wrong.

Now, Lisa's grip is a lot better.

Her hand over the top
and she's light.

That should help.
OK, up on the balls.

She's showing a bit of hurt
on her face at the moment.

Gee, this is tough.

You gotta feel for her.

Oh, here we go.

How's she gonna make this transition
onto the third ball?

Oh!
Oh, poor thing.

Lisa in the pool.
Oh, no.

Lisa had good technique

but this obstacle
is designed to shred your forearms.

She just didn't have the endurance
to hold on in the transfer

but, still, little Lisa Parkes
made it just as far as Steve Choate.

Goes to show size does not matter
on the Ninja Warrior course.

The Bridge of Blades.

We don't usually see that technique.

That's obviously something
you've thought a lot about.

Yeah, I was umming and ahhing before
I went on which way to do it.

It's a pretty big leap for me
so I'm not too heavy,

thought I'd give it a go and smashed
that so I was pretty happy with that.

There's still a chance
you could make the top 20,

depending on the rest of the ninjas
and making it through

to the semi-finals, so it's gonna be
an anxious wait but good luck.

Ladies and gentlemen, Lisa Parkes.

It's Freddie.

So, we've already seen gender's
not an issue on Ninja Island,

nor is size, so what about age?

Up next, the oldest competitor ever
to take on the course.

G'day.

I'm Ian Newland,
otherwise known as Rambo,

and I'm 64 years young.

I don't look at age being a big deal.

I don't want to live forever
but I'd like to live well as I age.

I watched Season 1 on television

and I thought -
gee, I'd love to give it a go.

I've always been fit
and involved in sport.

I was a competitive gymnast,

competitive paddler, having paddled
from Victoria to Tasmania.

I'm going this way.

Unlike a lot of
the other grandparents,

I get actively involved
with my grandkids.

Keep going.

A lot of people would say,
"Grow up."

But it's him

and that's the way he's keeping
himself young and fit and healthy.

Well done!

I'm gonna go out there,
give it the best I've got

and have a lot of fun anyway.

How was that one?

And the crowd goes crazy
for grandpa.

Tell you what, if you chopped his
head off, could be a 25-year-old.

Well, every ninja
who sets foot on this course

has passed a series
of strength and endurance tests

so tough that most of us mere mortals
would never even attempt them

and the man you're looking at passed
those tests with flying colours

and I reckon
he's about to give this a big shake.

Cheering on the sideline there

is Ian's wife, Ann, son Chris
and seven-year-old grandson, Max.

You can do this, Pa!

64 years of age and on
the Ninja Warrior Course - amazing.

Pa Rambo, starting off well
on the Quintuple Steps.

Come on, you can do this!

He's got one more leap and then
he's through the first obstacle.

Oh, yeah!

Comes up to the T-Slide
to Punching Bag.

Gives himself a little pump-up.

Let's see if he can grab
a hold of this punching bag

at the end of the slide.

I hope he makes it there.
Oh, he'll get there.

He'll get there.

Come on, Pa Rambo.

Yes, he does it.

You ripper!

Anyone that's at home
that's about 60 years of age,

you'd be thinking, "Golly, this guy
is not 64. I couldn't do that."

The Bridge of Blades.

This is gonna be tough.

It's tough for anyone.

At 64, you can beat them.

You can beat the Bridge of Blades.

Oh, psyching himself up.
Look at that, look at that.

Go on, Ian, run.
Sprint, sprint.

Yes!

Come on, Ian!

Oh, Rambo lighting up
this Australian Ninja Warrior course

and the crowd is going nuts.

Ian Newland, at 64,

should be enjoying retirement,
getting his free bus pass.

Not this fella.

He's on the Ninja Warrior course

and he's about to take on
the Balls to Cargo Net.

I'm gonna say it again.

64 years of age.

Our oldest competitor ever
on Ninja Island.

The crowd is going crazy.

He's got the Ball Swing to Cargo.

Now, just as far as his strength
goes, Bec, he was recently

in his local newspaper for bench
pressing his seven-year-old grandson.

Can he get through
the Ball Swing to Cargo Net?

Oh, look at the upper body strength
to be able to hold himself up.

This us gonna be
a real challenge for him.

Oh!
Oh, one hand.

Look at this guy.

Oh!
Oh!

Splash!
And he got Maddox wet too.

He bashes the water
and he's disappointed with himself

but I think he's the only person
on Ninja Island

unimpressed with his performance.

That was spectacular.

I give him a ten out of ten.

Pa Rambo, our oldest competitor,

is the first to reach the third ball
on this very tricky obstacle.

He looked to have the balls covered

but notice that third one
has a much shorter chain.

It doesn't swing like the other two

and, as he rotated through,
his right hand just slipped.

How did Grandpa do?

He tried his best
and I'm proud of him.

I hear you can bench press
your grandson.

I promised to do that
on his 21st birthday.

Oh, yeah,
do you want to do it now as well?

Bring it on.

Yes.

Ladies and gentlemen, Pa Rambo!

How cool was that.

Amazing stuff.

Our oldest competitor.

What a hero.

There's plenty more action coming up.

Don't move a muscle.

Ahead on Australian Ninja Warrior,

she was defeated by the Warped Wall
last season.

Come on!
No!

But Olympic gymnast Olivia Vivian
is back to make amends.

Do you think
I'll make it up the wall?

Yeah.
Yeah?

BMX champion Daniel Walker,

who's already put his body
on the line for his family.

Favourite ones are these ones.

Remember super supporter Amy?

Whoo, baby!

She's back but, this time, she's
off the sideline and onto the course.

And Tarzaniel.

Being one of the finalists
last season made him a local hero.

It's pretty funny when people yell
out "Tarzaniel" from their cars.

I give 'em a wave or a shakas.

He's coming back and, this time,
he's brought his mum.

The Ninja phenomenon
has gripped the country

and we are back to serve up another
exciting season here on Ninja Island.

This year, more than 8,000 applied
to compete on the course

but just the best 300 were selected
to take their shot at Mt Midoriyama.

One of them is going through
his final warm-up now,

elite speed skater Armstrong Lazenby.

He's been performing on the big stage
since age 14.

I'm feeling focused,
feeling confident, feeling good.

Need to be in the right mindset
before I start off.

That's the most important thing
for me,

so I'm really getting myself
in that headspace.

I was competing on
the Australian team for five years.

Biggest highlight of my own career

was winning a 3km
senior national race.

General training scheme
was six mornings a week

and that's of hard,
intense training.

It was the hardest thing
I've ever done.

My grip strength is actually
quite good but the problem

is actually that my legs are like
anchors, just weighing me down.

As an ice skater,
I cover 125 metres in eight seconds.

Wait till you see how fast
I take down the course tonight.

Look at the size of this lad's legs.

You can see he's a speed skater.

That's gonna be hard
to lug around this course.

They're like tree trunks,
aren't they?

He's a big boy.

95kg.

A lot of muscle, though.

And he'll have good cardio
from all of that skating.

I can see plenty of leg strength -

bouncing between
the Quintuple Steps.

You'd expect that.

He's competed in over 15
international World Cup events.

He gained a scholarship to attend
the Victorian Institute of Sport,

Australian Institute of Sport.

A 2013 Australian
Junior Athlete of the Year,

so he's well equipped,
although this is all new to him.

Onto the punching bag.

Oh, it just slipped
through his fingers.

He's disappointed with that.

Armstrong didn't get enough distance
off the T-bar.

You can see now
he's so low on the punching bag

he can't even wrap those big legs
around it

and it was very thin ice from there.

No joy for Armstrong and our next
ninja knows that pain all too well.

Last season,
the Onesie Ninja, Laura Edwards,

missed the semis
by the narrowest of margins

and she's determined
not to let that happen again.

She's the Onesie Ninja.

The first season of Ninja Warrior
was an incredible experience.

I was really proud of my run

but, unfortunately, I came off
going from rings to cargo net.

Go, you can do it.

Oh!
No!

Why?

I missed out by one person
going through to the semis.

It was really tough missing out
just by that tiny mark.

The reaction that I got after Season
1 of Ninja was really incredible.

I work with a lot of men

and sometimes, as an exercise
physiologist who is female,

there isn't always that respect
that I have the right skills

to train them but,
after they saw me on Ninja Warrior,

it just completely changed the
respect that the patients had for me

and they call me Ninja to this day.

Last year, I missed out on semis
by one person.

It's not gonna happen this year.

I'm gonna make it up
that Warped Wall,

I'm gonna hit that red buzzer
and I'm going all the way to the end.

Laura Edwards.
28 from New South Wales.

Returning to the Ninja course.

She was a crowd favourite last time.

She was determined,
very, very determined.

Partner Annie on the side
cheering her on too.

Coach Onesie, it says on the front.

She is a coach and that's a onesie.
It is indeed, Freddie.

No woman has ever made it
up the Warped Wall in the heats.

Will Laura be the first?

She's hoping so.

It's a careful start.

She's only 165cm tall, so getting
across those Quintuple Steps

is no mean feat but she's done that.

And now she faces
the T-Slide to Punching Bag

and there's a real art to this.

You've got to go with its momentum
and then find your way

onto the punching bag.

Just go for the ride, you're safe.
She's going for the ride.

She's off. She's home. She's OK.

Now, that is how
you deal with the punching bag.

The Bridge of Blades.

She's just psyching herself up.

And she makes it across
with an enormous jump.

And a big response
here on Ninja Island.

Now, get ready because no-one's
made it to the cargo net so far

because these balls are a killer.

Let's see how she navigates her way.

Two hands on the second ball.

Now onto the third.

Doesn't want to let go of the second

but she has to
and now she's got that net.

She fell off the cargo net
in Series 1.

She won't want to do that again.

She'll want to make amends
for that mistake.

Her family right up against the pool,

almost wanting to get in there
and give her a hand.

She's moving pretty quickly
through there, Freddie.

Needs to keep her bottom up,
doesn't need to sag down.

Any part touches the water

and it's
an instant disqualification.

So good, babe.

So good.
Here she goes.

One foot, two feet. What a relief.

Well done, Laura Edwards.

You're the furthest on the course
so far tonight.

Now, Bec, as Ninja Island celebrates,

I think it's worth having a look
at this nightmare obstacle.

This is the Flying Shelf Grab and
Laura Edwards is the first to try it.

Have a look at the gap between shelf
number one and shelf number two.

Well, it's a whopping 2.2 metres,
Ben.

Here we go, Laura Edwards.

OK, and then she's got
a little shelf

and this is all about
finger strength, this one,

and this is a huge lashay
to the second...

Oh, she's got it.
No, she hasn't.

Just slipped at the last minute.

What an effort, though.
You were great!

Super effort and she knows it.

The 2.2-metre distance
to the second shelf is so daunting

and Laura almost swung too hard

and her effort went up, not out,
and that meant that all of her weight

was falling when she tried
to grab that narrow shelf.

She just couldn't hold on.

Laura, that was an amazing effort.

You look pleased with your work.

Yeah, I am so happy.

Really, really happy
coming back from last year,

nearly making it,
not quite getting there.

Hope this is enough tonight
to take me through to the semis.

Me too.

Ladies and gentlemen, big round
of applause for Coach Onesie!

Great effort. Well done.
Brilliant. Amazing.

Here's hoping for the Onesie Ninja.

Remember, the top 20
who go furthest fastest

qualify for the semi-finals

and, so far, no-one's even made it
to the Warped Wall.

Coming up, Ravi rivalry.

Last season, David outdid
his little brother Mark

on the Ninja Warrior course.

Unbelievable.

Anytime I beat him in anything,
he just immediately comes back with,

"Yeah, but who did better
on Ninja Warrior?"

And it's been a long wait
for revenge.

Come on, Mark. Oh!

She flies attack helicopters for a
living and rock climbs on weekends.

Mel Polkinghorne
is a Ninja Warrior weapon.

Australian Ninja Warrior,

I'm really hoping to fly
right through this course.

And, next up,
BMX Ninja Daniel Walker.

We love ya.

He reckons his young family
saved his life

and it's time to return the favour.

We are back here
on Australian Ninja Warrior.

Much more coming up
right after this.

Welcome back to the return
of Australian Ninja Warrior.

We've already seen

the course is winning
against some everyday athletes

and, over the break,
three more ninjas met their match.

Former cop Adam Brown's progress

was arrested
on the T-Slide to Punching Bag.

Come on, Adam.
Oh, no!

Oh, Adam, that's a pretty
spectacular wipeout.

Pete Cornish is a Harry Potter nut

but found himself spellbound

and spun out
on the Bridge of Blades.

No!
Straight into the water, sadly.

Looked a proper muggle then,
didn't he?

And Lucy Rozsa had no sooner
dipped her foot on the course

and then she dipped her foot
in the water.

Oh.

Lucy, what can I say?

It was all over before it began.

Hoping she can do better
is an amazing young woman.

Mel Polkinghorne
is one of only three women

to fly armed reconnaissance
choppers in the Australian Army.

At 15, my parents bought me
my first flight in a plane.

It was a Cessna 152
and it was for my birthday

and I thought it was fantastic.

After that, every birthday present,

Christmas present
was one more flight.

I love flying so I'm grateful
for any opportunity I'm given.

I finished my university,
did a year of army training

and then finally got to
get my hands on the Tiger

which is the armed
reconnaissance helicopter

and that's our armed attack platform
within the Australian military.

In December of 2012, my mum got
diagnosed with early-onset dementia.

She's still there in person,

so it's still her body, but she's
not the person that I grew up with.

Recently, my mum got a lot sicker

and my dad was struggling
to look after her on his own

so I chose to come back to Brisbane
in a ground job.

I love flying
but flying will always be there.

There'll always be helicopters
in the world

but my mum won't always be there.

Sorry.

Mel's mum, Geri,
can't be here tonight, sadly,

but she's got her dad, Stewart,
brother Liam.

They're here for support.

(CROWD CHANTS 'YODA')

Wearing the YODA T-shirt.

It stands for
Young Onset Dementia Awareness.

Quintuple Steps first.

Now, she's not a tall woman, Mel.

161cm or 5'3".

But, on top of
all that military training,

she's also an accomplished
rock climber

and we know from Season 1
of Ninja Warrior

that rock climbers tend to do well.

So, high hopes for Mel.

She may be a helicopter pilot.

She's gonna go for
the flight of her life here.

No joystick, no blades.

Here she goes.

Oh, wow.
Almost made it look easy.

The Bridge of Blades.

Most of our ninjas

just try and jet through this thing
as quickly as possible.

We've seen one tonight go slow.

Oh, we're now seeing another.
Here you go.

Mel Polkinghorne
is also going the snail approach.

Go, Mozza!

Yep, it was Lisa Parkes
who pioneered this technique.

It was. Oh, yeah.

The females on this course tonight
are deciding to go slow and steady.

She's only 58kg
so it's probably easier

for the lighter women
in the competition to balance.

Balls to Cargo Net now.

Only Laura Edwards, the Onesie
Ninja, has made it past here.

Come on, Lozza!

It is brutal on her grip strength.

Yeah, she rock climbs
three to four times a week,

so, when it comes to sustaining her
own weight, she's got plenty...

Oh!

Mel Polkinghorne in the pool.

I spoke too soon.

Mel started very well on the balls.

You want that chain jammed right
between your fingers just like that.

But you can see,
when she brings up her other hand,

she just loses her grip
and that's where it all went wrong.

This tricky obstacle
claims yet another first-time ninja.

And, out in the warm-up area,

you can see ninjas are starting
to worry about that obstacle,

practising their overhead grip
which is so important.

It's too late for our next ninja
to practice, though.

Here's BMX champion Daniel Walker.

And he wears his love for his family
right across his chest.

I've been into BMX riding
for ten-plus years.

Rode for Australia with potential
to ride in the Olympics,

hence the name BMX Ninja.

The way that Daniel looks,
he can be seen as intimidating.

But, getting to know him,
he's so much different.

I just like tattoos.

Me favourite ones are these ones.

I've got Kai, my step-son,

and I've got Isabel,
she's my first girl,

so she's right there on my heart.

Izzy loves looking at it.

It's, like,
her favourite tattoo I've got.

What do you think Daddy's gonna do?

Press the button.

Isabel's everything to me.

She just wants to do
everything Dad does.

Do you want to be a ninja
when you get older?

Yeah.
She's super excited.

I think she's more excited than I am.

How loud are you gonna cheer for me?
Yeah!

I love being a dad,

just watching my kids grow up,
watching them be proud of what I do.

I wouldn't be where I am
without them, I don't think.

Love you, girl. Kiss?
Love you, Daddy.

Mwah.

That's a fair bit of ink
on Daniel Walker there.

Oh, Isabel's excited.

Yeah, if the kids ever wondered
how much Dad loves them,

well, it's printed all over his body.

Go, Daddy. Come on.

Former BMX competitor.

Gave it up for a number of years
and now he's back on the bike

and now on the Quintuple Steps.

He's used to competition,
this bloke.

Hopefully, we don't see him
get stacked tonight.

Oh, yeah.

"Yes," says Isabel.

Daniel Walker.

Taking this course by its horns.
Isabel screaming.

We're all screaming for you at home.

To the Ball Swing to Cargo.

Taken out a lot of our ninjas
tonight.

All about grip strength.

All about upper body strength.

All about speed as well which
Daniel's showing in abundance.

Yeah, the strength required
on those balls

to hold up your entire body weight
blows my mind.

And look at him
scramble his way down this net.

This BMX bandit is looking good.

Watch those shorts there, Freddie.

Oh, just a little slip there.

Oh, centimetres from the water.

Don't go near that water.

Oh, Isabel's nervous.

So close.
I can't watch.

He's so close.

He's turning himself on the side.

Wants his head on the mat
before his feet.

Oh, wow.

What an extraordinary run
for a first-time ninja.

Have a listen to that scream.

Now, this is the Flying Shelf Grab.

We haven't seen anyone
master this obstacle yet tonight.

Will he be the first?

He's just kicked it.

We need you to grab it.

Yes!
Hey, this guy is an awesome athlete.

This is the big swing.
He's nailed it!

He holds it and now he's got a shot

at being the first competitor tonight
to take a shot at the Warped Wall.

Yes!
Daniel Walker.

And, all of a sudden, Australia says,
"Here we come."

Dad! Do it!

This is the opportunity

to make his way up the Warped Wall
at the first attempt.

He's a winner!

He's done it! Daniel Walker!

The BMX bandit
is up the Warped Wall!

You did it!

How good was that?

He loves this moment.
How does that feel?

So good. Too good.

Enjoy it.

He did it! He did it!

Yes, Isabel, he really did do it.

Ladies and gentlemen,

the first ninja to complete
the course, BMX Ninja Daniel Walker.

His athleticism showed
through every obstacle tonight.

He flew across the massive
2.2-metre gap between the shelves

and looks like a champion
in the making.

Daniel, that was unbelievable.
Oh!

Oh, come here.
I don't mind, I don't mind.

Mate, you seemed to be
in a bit of a rush,

wanted to set a good time tonight?

I wanted to finish.
No-one's finished yet.

First finisher.

Did you think you'd get to
the top of the Warped Wall?

Yep. I had every...
No doubt, no doubt.

How well did he do?
Good.

Yeah? You think he can win this?
Yeah.

Yeah, we probably think so
he can as well.

Ladies and gentlemen, Daniel!

Amazing.

Hey.

Can you believe that?

Is anyone gonna forget
what we just saw in a hurry?

I don't think so.

Just a reminder,

only the top 20 of tonight's heat
will go through to the semi-finals.

Let's have a look at the leaderboard.

Daniel Walker has marched
right to the top

ahead of Onesie Ninja Laura Edwards,

who's the only other competitor
to pass the Cargo Net so far.

Based on time,
adventurer Steve Choate is next,

followed by Lisa Parkes,

chopper pilot Mel Polkinghorne and
Pa Rambo Ian Newland sits in sixth.

Still to come tonight, Adam Matusz

is taking up the challenge for every
ordinary dad sitting on the couch.

My kids basically told me,

"I'll let you do it
if you don't embarrass yourself.",

Espen Hjalmby, the Viking Warrior
from Norway, is on a mission.

I'm here to conquer the mighty
Australian Ninja Warrior course

just like the Vikings
conquered the sea.

And what about these two?

Last year's super supporter Amy
is back, cheering on fiance Ryan.

Yeah, baby! Whoo!

Go, baby! Go, baby!
You've got this.

That'd be how...

Yeah, that was me.

But, this time,
she's having a crack too.

The competitors
on Australian Ninja Warrior

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

But it's the ninja
who goes furthest and fastest

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

Thanks to Berocca.

Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior.

Three more ninjas took on the course
over the break.

Free runner Agustin Rodriguez

flew through the flying shelves
then, strangely, hit reverse.

Oh!

Big wipeout.

Boxer Tommy Browne

fittingly made it to the
punching bag but, sadly, no further.

Oh!
Oh!

And his little girl
can't believe Daddy's out.

And Melbourne hipster barista Ashton
Miller started off full of beans...

Have you got anything on
under there?

Oh, thank God for that.

..but was ground down
by the Bridge of Blades.

Oh!

On the course right now
is jetskiing plumber Ryan Solomon

who made it all the way
to the Grand Final last year.

Ryan!

With help from girlfriend Amy
on the sideline.

They got engaged during the year,
they've been training hard together

and Amy's going to be
running later tonight.

But, first, she's back in familiar
territory, supporting Ryan.

Yes, Ryan.

Amy, she is so excited.
Last one.

She wants her fiance
to get up the Warped Wall,

even further than Season 1.

Come on, Ryan.
Come on. Beat the wall, Ryan.

I reckon he is going
straight up the Warped Wall.

You get the feeling he's gonna be
faster, stronger, higher.

Ryan Solomon does it again on
Season 2 of Australian Ninja Warrior

and says to the rest
of the competition,

"I'm here, I mean business, I'm gonna
be even stronger this time."

Oh, the other ninjas

have just started to quake
in their boots, Ryan.

That was ten out of ten.

Mwah.

Killed it.

So proud of you.
Thank you.

Emma, you've yet to run.
How are you feeling?

You're gonna join him
in the semi-finals?

Oh, look, yes, I'll try my hardest

if I don't vomit up
on the first stage.

Don't vomit in the pool, Amy.
Nobody wants that.

Any advice for her?
Just have fun.

I agree. I tell you what,
these two are beautiful.

Imagine their babies.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ryan Solomon!

Well done, mate. Great effort.
Top man.

Next up, 37-year-old
teacher Adam Matusz.

Like millions of others,

last season he sat on the couch
watching with his kids.

They said he couldn't do the course.

He's here tonight
to prove them wrong.

I kept telling my kids
that, when they go to sleep,

I fly into the night
and go into the city

and help people out as a Superman.

My kids basically told me,
"That's bull."

You're touching the water.

You're touching the water.

I'm hoping that I'll prove to them

that their dad, even though I'm not
a Superman, will at least be a ninja.

I'm from Poland,
I've been here for ten years

and I'm proud to be
from Poland, so...

I wear Australia on the back

because I'm as much Polish
as I am Australian, I hope.

Maybe become the first
Australian Ninja Warrior

being a Polish person which would
be cool and strange, maybe.

OK, I'll be the first one to say it.

Adam doesn't look like
your classic ninja

but we've long since learned that
that doesn't count for anything.

His kids
have written him off already.

They've said,

"Dad, there's no way on earth
you can complete this course."

That's his motivation.

The whole family is here tonight.

There's his wife, Maria,

best mate Dane and his kids, Jakob,
aged five, and Hannah, aged eight.

Here he goes.

Adam Matusz.

Quintuple Steps.

180cm or 5'11".

He's 81kg.

If he's nervous, he isn't showing it
at all at this point.

Bit of style and grace -
hands in the air.

Almost swan-like.

Adam's background
is actually rock climbing

and we learnt from Season 1

that the rock climbers
had a real advantage

because they're very good mentally

and they're also extremely tough
in the upper body physically.

Now the Bridge of Blades.

Will he take
the fast or slow approach?

He takes the fast one, Adam Matusz,
and nails it.

Well done.

Oh, isn't he happy?

He's reached the fourth obstacle.

And that is the Ball Swing
to Cargo Net.

Just working out how he's going to
navigate these quite small balls.

He's got one ball and now he's got
another ball in the other hand.

That's the easy part.

Now it becomes a whole lot trickier.

Oh!

Oh, no, this is gonna be hard.

He's gotta get enough momentum
happening, get that swing.

Yep, he's up. He's got it.

He's got it but we've seen
so many of our good ninjas

fall right at this point.

It's the chain on the third ball.

It's much shorter than the others,

it doesn't have
the same amount of swing,

but he's on the net
and down he goes.

Shake it up, shake it up,
shake it up.

Freddie will keep a close eye
to make sure

that no piece of clothing
hits the water.

Any part touches the water,
it's an instant DQ.

This is where the rock climbing
skills should come in.

That grip strength,
that upper body strength.

And everyone else can see how close
they are to the water but they can't.

His kids on the sidelines are
beside themselves with excitement.

They're going, "Please, Dad,
get to the end."

He's done it.

And now the Flying Shelf Grab.

And look at him -
he just has that look of,

"Oh, OK, here we go, this is
going to be no walk in the park."

Breathe.

He's looking to his kids
for that extra bit of inspiration.

From our perspective up here,

it even looks harder

because we can see
how far each flying shelf is away.

Go, Daddy!

It is a huge 2.2-metre leap.

Now, look at this gap.

It's a big gap.

He's gotta get the momentum,
he's gotta nail the catch

and then he's gotta hold
his whole body weight, Bec,

and already he's starting
to feel the pinch.

Oh, this is so taxing
on your upper body.

Hanging there in a dead hang.

Oh, no.
A reverse faceplant.

He had to check out
because he'd realised

he just did not have the energy
left to do it but he's done well.

He's made it to the
second-last obstacle in the heats.

It was a great effort but, by
the time Adam reaches the shelves,

he's got the classic
straight-arm hang.

He hasn't got the strength
to lift himself up the swing

and eventually the grip
just lets go.

Well done.

Kuba!
Kuba, come on.

Hey. Kuba, say something
to the camera.

Was he good?

Better than good. He was great.

Earlier, Ryan Solomon had his go
and now it's time to turn the tables.

Come on down, Amy Jenkinson.

She's made quite a splash
on the sidelines cheering on Ryan.

Now it's Amy's turn
to have a go herself.

Come on, Amy.

Have fun. Have fun.

Good jump.

It must be very different
for our competitors

who were on the sideline last year
or watching at home

and they think to themselves,
"Yeah, I'll have a go at that."

And then they actually get here
and then they're on the podium

and then they hear the buzzer
and it must be honestly terrifying.

Good job.

Yeah, Ryan Solomon,
we saw him go up the Warped Wall

and Amy Jenkinson would love
to be able to do the same.

Hang on tight.

Grabs the T-slide.

She needs to go for
a nice, quiet, calm ride.

No, that doesn't look calm.
That's alright.

That's alright.
That is good.

Good girl, Amy.

It's better than alright.
That is good.

Now she gets down low,
getting ready to go, go, go.

Oh, it's that last blade.

No, no, no.

Whoo!

But how good was Amy
giving it everything she had?

She just sadly did not have the speed

to beat that fourth blade
as it swung around.

Not the first ninja that's happened
to and she won't be the last.

Is it a lot, lot harder
than you ever thought it would be?

I think it's a lot better
on the sidelines for me.

I'm just looking forward to cheering
on Ryan in the semi-finals.

Still to come,

he was one of the fastest ninjas
in Season 1

and was unlucky not to go further.

Launches himself onto the net.
Wow!

Now Tarzaniel's back,

facing off against
the toughest opponent of all...

Oh, I'd be pretty happy actually
if I did beat him.

..his mum.

Last season's ninth-place finisher
Ben Polson is up next.

Another near-perfect run.

And he's got something
he'd like to tell you.

Olivia and I have certainly
become an item,

I'd like to announce, Australia.

Ben Polson and Olivia Vivian,
the ultimate Ninja power couple.

Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior.

We've reached the halfway point
of Heat 1.

The top 20 ninjas tonight
that go furthest fastest

will secure a place
in the semi-finals.

Let's see how things are shaping up.

BMX Ninja Daniel Walker is still
riding high at number one.

Onesie Ninja Laura Edwards

still very much in contention
for the semis,

in fourth place.

Over the page, Steve Choate
is down to sixth

and Pa Rambo Ian Newland
is in ninth place.

How good does our course look.

Let's have a look
at the warm-up area, though,

because I've been waiting all night
to see this pair.

It's Season 1 sensation Tarzaniel,
aka Daniel Weston,

and, believe it or not,
that's his mum.

Oh!

Last year, I was on the sideline.

It was great watching him
get through to the final.

I'm really proud of him.

Me and my mum,
we usually train together

so, when I seen auditions
for Season 2,

I just, like, told my mum
she has to do it with me.

I want to have a go.
I want to have a crack at this.

I reckon everyone's mum
should be able to do it.

I'm definitely gonna be that, like,
fit when I'm old so... or older.

Played a lot of hockey
at state level.

Represented national level
at cross-country.

Daniel is being really supportive.

Oh!

Obviously, I want to do
better than him.

It'd be pretty funny,
my mum beating me.

I don't think that's gonna happen.

Michelle Weston looks as fit
or fitter than her 20-year-old son.

Come on, Michelle.

Are we sure that's his mum?

Yes, Freddie, it is Mum.

She's back here on Ninja Island

but this is her
first time competing.

Oh, go, go.

She actually had a Ninja obstacle
course built in her backyard

but, can you believe it, she suffered
an accident on the bars and fell.

She broke five vertebrae
but she's still here.

Amazing.

Yeah, Mother.

As she approaches
the T-Slide to Punching Bag.

Now, mentally, this one
is quite challenging

because you've got two
really important manoeuvres to make.

The first one,
you just go for the ride.

Oh.
She finds the pool.

Not in the way that she'd intended.

Look at Tarzaniel.

Why is he laughing?

His mum's just done
a massive faceplant.

Don't worry, Michelle,
you did him proud.

Now, they say the best way to do this
obstacle is to keep your arms bent

so that they're like shock absorbers
at the end of the slide.

Sadly, Michelle's grip
could not hold the force.

Maybe Daniel can show her
how it's done.

I tell you what, Michelle,

you want to have words
with your son after this.

He's on the sidelines
laughing his head off.

I can imagine.
I've done a good job for him, hey?

I won't hear the end of this.

Ladies and gentlemen,
Michelle Weston.

Where's your hug?
Give him a hug.

Where's your hug?
I don't get any hugs.

Tarzaniel is coming up shortly
but, next, something different.

Some of last season's
very best performers

came from Western Australia.

Since then,

they've not only been training
together at Perth's Ninja Academy,

they're also helping each other
to try and beat this course.

We genuinely train together
every day.

It's myself, Mark Ravi,
Adam Chatfield,

Ben Polson and Olivia Vivian.

Since Season 1,
some other gyms have opened up.

People have formed together
and trained a bit more

but we've been doing this
for longer than anyone else.

We have the best facility
in Australia.

And we always push each other
to our limit and it's become

a really nice dynamic between a group
of friends and we absolutely love it.

First out of Perth's Ninja Academy

and up to the starting block
is music producer Ben Polson.

He finished ninth last year
and he's looking to go further.

He's got a girlfriend,
Olivia Vivian.

She's on the sidelines.
She's competing too.

It's been a good year for this lad,
hasn't it?

Looks like it, Freddie.

And here he comes.

His return visit to Ninja Island.

He's our tallest ninja this season,
Ben, 6'5", 85 kg, and so athletic.

T-Slide to Punching Bag - done.

And he won't waste any time here

on the Bridge of Blades -
straight through.

And we've gotta remind ourselves

that a lot of our newcomers
have bombed out around about here.

But, after 12 months
of hard training,

Ben Polson isn't showing
any signs of that at the moment.

This is looking like
a great time too.

It's not ridiculously fast

he's gonna make a mistake
but it is quick.

Take it slow.

And this is where Ben's height
might hurt him.

He's got those long legs to hold up.

The net is only 90cm away
from the water this year.

And that's not very far when
you're hanging off the cargo net.

He's getting through quickly, though,
and, if I have a look at the clock,

he's more than ten seconds ahead
of the BMX Ninja, Daniel Walker.

2:20 is the time to beat.

He said, "Seriously, that cargo net
has got tougher from last year."

Now, this is where
he'll really excel.

You got this.
A 2-metre wingspan.

That is a massive advantage
to our other competitors.

Come on. Easy. You got it.

Yeah, the size of this bloke really
blows you away and look at that -

there he goes, no issue whatsoever.

And already Ben Polson is having
a think about the Warped Wall

which he's done
with a degree of ease.

The music producer
from Western Australia

goes to the top of the charts?

Yes, he does.
So easy.

His return visit to Ninja Island
is a huge success.

No doubt, he is the ninja to watch.

That was faultless.
Ten out of ten, Ben Polson.

It's so great to have you back.

That was brilliant.
That looked easy. Was it?

It did not feel easy.
It did not feel easy.

Go and catch up with your new love.

Ben didn't just beat Daniel Walker's
time, he smashed it by 20 seconds,

and, like all good athletes, he made
the very difficult look so easy.

Now the big question -
can anyone beat it?

Ah, good to see ya.

He's good, he's good.
Have you finished?

You flew through the course tonight.

Was it easier or harder
second time round?

It was honestly a lot harder.

I can guarantee you
that felt a whole lot harder

than the qualifiers
in Season 1, yeah.

I suppose that's testament
to the training

with the Ninja Academy lads
behind you.

You've worked hard.

Yeah, I love these boys.
Always by my side.

I love training with those guys.

And, Olivia, you're
gonna run tonight.

How are you feeling about
getting up that Warped Wall?

I want to get up that wall so bad.

You're so sweet, the two of you.

Ladies and gentlemen, Ben Polson.

Well done. Amazing. Good job.

Coming up,

can the rest of Perth's
Ninja Academy

follow in Ben Polson's footsteps?

Yeah, our Ninja Academy guys
are gonna bring the heat.

For Olivia Vivian,
it's been 12 months of torment,

reliving the moment
the Warped Wall defeated her.

Come on!
No!

And then I looked like a puppy
trying to get up on the couch.

I'm gonna get out of here so...
Good luck.

But, next, it's 20-year-old
science student Bryson Klein.

Welcome back to Ninja Island

where Ben Polson was the first
runner from Perth's Ninja Academy

to make it up the Warped Wall.

Then, over the break,
they made it three from three.

Car detailer Adam Chatfield showed
again just how good these guys are,

leaving the course in 3:15.

Well, you got a cramp.

I'm getting too old for this stuff.

Then eldest Ravi brother David

came back to test the rivalry
as old as time.

Clock is ticking. Clock is ticking.

With little brother Mark
on the sideline,

the pressure was on to get on top of
the Warped Wall as fast as possible,

finishing in 3:12.

You've set the challenge
for your brother now.

Do you think he can beat your time?

Well, let's not worry about him,
yeah.

And on course right now
is his brother, Mark.

You'll remember, last season,
Mark crashed out in the heats

so David's
had 12 months of bragging rights.

Mark has a score to settle.

12 months of regret,

12 months of disappointment would be
going through his mind at the moment.

I think the tables
are about to turn here, Bec.

Come on, dude, this is it.

And look at that comparison.

He's got a minute
to make his way up the wall

and get the upper hand on his bro.

False start. Dries off the feet.

This is it, Bec.
Mark Ravi.

This is your opportunity
to get up the wall.

Oh, he just does it.

On his very first go.

Mark Ravi can't believe it.

A year of disappointment,

a year of regrets
disappear in the blink of an eye.

Mark Ravi, that was your moment.

How are you feeling?

I just...

It happened. It really happened.

It did happen.

I've been dreaming of this

for, like, a year straight,
been putting up with all his crap.

Oh, this feels so good.

Oh, my god.

Oh...

Updating the leaderboard
and how quickly things can change.

Perth's Ninja Academy
dominates the top ten.

Ben Polson sits at number one
with a time of 2:00,

20 seconds ahead of second-placed
BMX Ninja Daniel Walker.

Mark Ravi's fourth,
just ahead of his brother, David,

and Adam Chatfield is sixth.

Laura Edwards is still
placing well at eighth

but bad news for Pa Rambo Ian
Newland who's slid down to 13th.

Remember, only the top 20
qualify for the semi-finals.

Now, from a bunch of Ninja veterans,
we go to a complete first-timer,

an unknown, one of our youngest
ninjas, 20-year-old Bryson Klein.

He's a science and engineering
student from Sydney.

He's hoping his nerves
don't get the better of him.

When I get to that starting line,

my legs will be shaking with nerves
but, as soon as that bubber goes...

Buzzer goes, sorry.

Do you want me to do that ag...?
I'm so bad at this.

I mumble a lot.

This might take
more than one attempt.

I'm so sorry.

Perhaps people
will see me as some young,

not particularly buff guy 'cause
I'm not physically that strong.

He started climbing with me

mainly 'cause he was hopeless
at all the other sports

that he was trying to do.

Come on. Let's go.

Oh...

And, no, he wasn't a natural.

My goal is definitely to make it
all the way up Mt Midoriyama

but, realistically,

I'm just gonna give it my best
and I'm gonna go as far as I can.

Oh, whoa, how young
does Bryson look.

I bet he's up there thinking,
"What have I got myself into?"

Yeah, that's his dad, Matthew,
there and sister Tessa.

He's brought them along
for some moral support.

Oh, Bryson,
there's no turning back now.

How is this kid gonna go
against the pros?

He is out of the blocks
and he is wasting no time at all.

And he has nailed the Quintuple Steps
on his first visit to Ninja Island.

Nice and easy.

T-Slide to Punching Bag.

Oh, nice technique.

Well done.

Hello, look at him go.
Straight through.

How quick was that?
So quick I nearly missed it.

Who is this kid?

I can't keep up with him.
I gotta run.

He's already on the balls.

Camera crew can't keep up with him.

He's just flying through the course.

He's on the cargo net already.

He's like lightning.
This kid is quick.

My biggest concern for him now
is his T-shirt.

Look at his T-shirt
dangling down at the back.

Tucking in the shirt,
showing off the abs.

Oh, very smart for a young fella,
very smart,

tucking the T-shirt behind his head.

He did those first three obstacles
so quickly

but now he's taking his time

to make sure that
he doesn't stuff this one up.

Whoo!

And just a time check.
He's fast.

He's neck and neck
with Ben Polson's time.

He's now got a foot on dry land,

then he just throws
the rest of his body on there.

Go, Bry.

Onto the shelves now.

He moves quickly, this kid.
He is amazing.

I don't know what
they're teaching him in science

but it is working
and the clock - look at the clock.

2:00 the time to beat.

He's gonna get there, Ben.

I can feel it.

He's gonna do it.

Yes.
Oh, yeah.

Oh, yeah.

Ten seconds.
He needs to get a move on.

Come on.

Too easy. Come on.

Bryson Klein takes one breath
and he does just that.

Hit the buzzer. Yes!

That's the second-fastest time
of the night.

What an amazing performance
from 20-year-old Bryson Klein.

Bryson, whoo!

How good was that.
Wow.

Where did that come from?
No idea.

That was sensational.

Oh, my god, yes.

I did it. I hit that red buzzer.
You did it, alright.

You did it in blistering pace too.

Bryson Klein,
he's come out of nowhere

and left scorch marks on the course.

Barely one second behind
the great Ben Polson.

It's early days but we have an
unlikely new contender for the title.

You just flew through the course.

Your dad was saying
you'd be disappointed

you was a little bit slow.

But was there any part of it
which you found difficult?

Oh, honestly,
I don't remember what happened.

It's kind of just all
a big blur to me.

And do you do everything fast?

Oh, when it's important.

That is amazing.

Ladies and gentlemen, Bryson Klein.

Oh, we just love him.

Bryson Klein
has set the bar very, very high.

Where did he come from?

That's one of the great things
about Season 2 -

some fresh faces
doing phenomenal things

and there'll be plenty more of that
right after this

on Australian Ninja Warrior.

Still to come, wowzers -
can you do that?

Espen Hjalmby can.

He's a self-described
full-blooded Viking Warrior.

Espen Hjalmby here
to conquer the course

just like the Vikings
conquered the mighty seas.

And we've seen his mum crash out.

Can Tarzaniel salvage
Weston family pride?

He's warming up now.

Probably more nervous

'cause I actually have to
back up what I did last year,

so... yeah.

Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior Season 2

and hasn't it been
a brilliant first night?

We've seen fantastic newcomers
like adventurer Steve Choate,

chopper pilot Mel Polkinghorne,

Pa Rambo

and, of course,
the BMX Ninja, first up the wall.

How good was that!

Don't forget the old guard
back from season one,

the furthest fastest female
Laura Edwards

and the guys from the Ninja Academy
completing the course.

But the surprise of the night so far

has been unheralded newcomer
Bryson Klein.

He was just grease lightning.

This kid is quick.

What other surprises are in store
as we get down to the final few runs?

Ninja favourite Tarzaniel
is warming up.

But, next up,
a self-described Viking Warrior

and yoga instructor,
Espen Hjalmby.

So, I did a DNA test to find out
where my heritage came from.

From the test, I was 99% Viking.

So, that's where the Viking Warrior
comes from.

Vikings were the first in the world
to cross the sea,

simply because of a belief system
that enables us to see

that it's not the obstacles
that define us,

it's actually how we respond to the
obstacles that makes us who we are.

Persistence breaks down
all resistance.

It's about just dedicating yourself
to hard work.

My signature move
is dropping into the splits.

That's what I'm gonna do
when I hit your first buzzer.

Espen Hjalmby here
to conquer the course

just like the Vikings
conquered the mighty seas.

OK, Espen.

He's a bloke who clearly
looks after himself.

179cm tall.

82kg of trim, taut
and terrific viking.

Plenty of support tonight.

His friend, Kai,
in the viking hat there,

his best mate, David,
and girlfriend Rebecca.

Espen had a motorcycle accident
in 2006.

He broke both his legs.

It's taken years of recovery

to get himself
to this elite level of fitness.

And fit he is.

He reckons these days it's all about
rock climbing and obstacles

and meditation, as well,
so he's very chilled.

There you go -
T-Slide to Punching Bag dealt with.

No time to relax here, though, on the
Bridge of Blades and, oh, so quick.

How good.

Pumps himself up.

Getting all the energy
he can from the crowd.

He's very precise in what
he's doing on this course.

Locks his fingers.

The very top of the ball so he's
got the very best grip possible.

And now reaches out with his feet
and grabs

a hold of that net with the legs
to make his way down the cargo net.

"Namaste, namaste," they're saying.

They must know
that he's into his meditation.

Easy, easy.

Hips up. Keep your hips up.

But how do you stay chilled
in a predicament like this,

where you make
one small miscalculation

and your Ninja Warrior night
is finished?

Almost there.
Easy, brother.

Keep going, mate.

Well, I'm just hoping
one of those ribbons

that are bound round his legs
doesn't come loose.

Those ribbons are hiding

some of the biggest calves that
we've ever seen on Ninja Island, Bec.

And now, just ever so gingerly,
he gets up.

Whoo!

Just asking the crowd to lift
to get him through to the end.

They're doing the Viking clap.

Icelandic style, not Norwegian.

Love you, babe.

"Love you, babe," comes the call
from the sideline - onto the bar.

And then the first shelf.

This bloke's six-pack is phenomenal.

And, as he just comes across in
front of us here on obstacle five,

this guy is a machine.

Can he grip it?

Yes, Espen.

He holds.
He's gonna make it.

And now the big swing.
Nice landing.

The Viking Warrior
eyes off the Warped Wall.

He just pointed to the Warped Wall

and said, "You know what,
you're mine.

"I'm gonna take you
on the first go."

That is exactly what happened
and the splits to boot.

Whoo!

Whoo!

Yes!

That was spectacular.

How's that feeling for ya?

It's ridiculous, mate.

You don't think,
you just do, you know?

And you did. You did real well.

Thank you very much.

Go and enjoy it. Celebrate.
Congratulations.

Looking forward to seeing you
in the semi-finals.

Love you, baby.

Espen the Viking
came, saw and conquered,

all shapely calves and abs.

He bounced through the course
like an invading army,

then went up the Warped Wall
as only a Norwegian would.

We'll look forward to seeing
Espen again in the semis

but now it's time for chapter two
in the Weston story.

Earlier tonight, his mum, Michelle,

didn't make it past
the second obstacle.

But now coming out swinging
is king of the Ninja jungle.

It's Tarzaniel.

The boy who took the tournament
by storm last time round.

Look at him.

Looks like he's been working out
this time round.

Hey, Dan, you alright?

Come on, mate. Right behind ya.

I know there's a danger in getting
ahead of ourselves but he's gotta go

sub two minutes if he's going to
beat Ben Polson and Bryson Klein.

Well, Ben, he was so quick last year

and seems even more confident
this time around.

Yes.

Now onto the Bridge of Blades.

He'll just sprint through.
Oh, no, he's used his hand twice.

Used his hand twice.

He'll get disqualified.
No, he won't.

No, he used his hands.
No, he won't.

Oh, my god.
Oh, no.

What?
You are kidding.

Oh, no, I don't want to do this.

This cannot be happening.
What?

One of the favourites disqualified
on the Bridge of Blades.

This is a huge disappointment
for everyone.

The rules are clear.

You are not allowed
to use your hands.

It's instant disqualification.

And with the new set-up, those
blades come around a lot faster

and the Bridge of Blades
claims a big scalp.

Daniel, I get the feeling
you know what happened, don't you?

Yeah, my hand touched that thing.

How disappointed are you, mate?

Yeah, I'm pretty annoyed.

Are you?
Yeah.

Alright, never mind.
Will we see you again next year?

Yep.
Top man.

Ladies and gentlemen, Tarzaniel.

Love you, Daniel.

Well, there's one for the mums.

With Tarzaniel DQ'ed,

Michelle Weston is officially
the better ninja for 2018.

Coming up, Olivia Vivian
prepares to take on her nemesis.

This year, I'm faster, I am stronger

and I am hungrier to get up there
and conquer the course.

Olivia is up next.

Welcome back
to Australian Ninja Warrior.

Over the break, Season 1's
furthest fastest Fred Dorrington

showed he's lost nothing
in the past year.

Fred Dorrington,
it is so great to have you back.

Just Fred eased his way
through the course in 2:40

with time to spare to socialise.

When are you gonna come over
for a barbeque?

Mate, I'm in. Just invite me.
Send the invite.

I sent you an invite.
When?

The other day.
Oh, this is awkward.

I'd love to have a barbeque
with Just Fred.

OK, ladies and gentlemen.

This is our final ninja
but what a competitor.

Olympic gymnast Olivia Vivian.

With a year of training behind her,

can Olivia be the first ever woman to
get up the Warped Wall in the heats?

I love when people
come into the cafe

because they've seen me
on Ninja Warrior.

You did a really good job.

Yeah, did I look strong?
Yeah.

I started the cafe The Leaky Tap

after my father passed away
a few years ago.

I wanted to do something
to honour him

and the Vivian's Plumbing business

that he ran through generations
of Vivians.

Australia came on first season
because I said - what would Dad do?

Straya!

He would've done something goofy
and so I threw on the Straya.

I could see him wearing that.

Do you think
I'll make it up the wall?

Yeah.
Yeah?

BEN: Here we go. First attempt.
No, she's well short.

After missing that Warped Wall
and training so hard for a year,

I definitely feel a lot of pressure.

Will she do it down under?
Come on!

No!

It's a symbol of something
that I've failed before,

so getting up that Warped Wall

is gonna be so much more than
just completing an obstacle to me.

Here's the reality.

Only one Australian woman made it
up the Warped Wall last season.

That was Andrea Hah in the semis.

And it took six seasons

for a woman to make it
up the Warped Wall in America.

Olivia Vivian is just so cool.

Oh, what an entrance.

She is used to the big stage.

She's competed
at the Beijing Olympics

and took silver
at the Glasgow Comm Games.

And Ben Polson.

It can't hurt to have him
on the sideline.

He's already done it.

Remember, it's exactly the same
course for the men and the women.

Chuck it here, Olivia.

Olivia, Olivia, throw it here.

OK, it's time to get serious now.

Sort of, sort of.

Completing this course is a mission
she set herself after last year.

Now it is time to deliver.

Olivia, here she goes.

Her mind has been on this obstacle
course for the past 12 months.

Yeah, Bec, there's no doubt
she's ready

but, as we've seen time and time
again, one slip is all it takes.

Oh, what style.

Come on, Olivia.

Come on, Liv. Come on, Liv.
You got it.

Now the Bridge of Blades.

Straight through
the Bridge of Blades.

Bit of an ugly landing
but she taps her heart as if to say,

"Thank God I got through that."

Oh, the next one, though.

This is the one that worries me,
Ben.

Several of our top ninjas
have missed the grip on those balls.

She's got to be so careful.

She's got the short chain.

Has she got it?

Yeah, I reckon
she's looking good here, Bec.

And the net's going to suit her.

She's got all the gymnastics training
behind her.

She's got the strength
to hold herself right up

and keep away from that water
and she's doing well.

She's smart too.

She's on the edge of the net

where it's tighter
and further away from the water.

Come on, babe. That's it.

Just be careful here, Olivia.

Don't give it away now.

She's left a big gap
between her and the water there.

She doesn't want to risk anything.

She's looking very relaxed, calm,

strong and each manoeuvre
is measured.

Look how close her hair is
to the water!

Come on, guys, come on.

Bring your legs up.

Put one up.
Yes, yes, Olivia, yes!

Olivia Vivian.

Two obstacles to go.

She's about to hit
the two-minute mark.

And now she gets to eyeball
this nightmare of an obstacle,

the Flying Shelf Grab.

Here she goes.

Yes, lands the first shelf.

The next one's the big one.

No woman has made it past
this obstacle.

Can she keep going?

Yes, she hits it and holds it!

She's incredible.

What an athlete.

Oh, Olivia Vivian,
putting on a show for the crowd.

She blows a kiss to the crowd

and now she's gotta get the momentum
happening again.

She does it so quickly.

Oh, wow.

Yeah, she's here, Bec.

She's at the Warped Wall.

Now, this is David and Goliath stuff.

Let me remind you, just one
Australian woman has made it up.

Olivia's tried and failed three times
but that was last year.

Be the first female. Come on.

Can she be the first woman on
Season 2 of Australian Ninja Warrior

to conquer the Warped Wall?

Here she goes.

No.
Well, she wasn't even close there.

I don't know whether she slipped or
whether she didn't get a good run-up.

As a reminder, everybody,
she's not out.

You do get another two chances.

Come on, Olivia.

Time to shine.

This is for history.

Here she goes for a second attempt.
Yeah!

And she's got it.
Go, Olivia!

What? What? What?

How the hell did that happen?

You're nuts.

Yes!
Oh, my goodness.

Oh, my god!
Go, you, girlfriend.

You are the first woman
to scale the Warped Wall.

Oh, my god. Oh, my god.

Whoo!

You are a champion.

You are the woman to watch
this competition.

That was extraordinary.

Straya!

There it is.

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...

ALL: Oi, oi, oi!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...

Oi, oi, oi!

Aussie...
Oi!

Aussie...
Oi!

Aussie, Aussie, Aussie...
Oi, oi, oi!

Yeah, she's scarin' me.

Wow, she is the woman to watch
in this competition,

no doubt about that.

Unbelievable.

Last season, we had to wait
until the semi-finals

before a woman
made it up the Warped Wall.

Olivia has done it on the very
first night and look at that style.

Ridiculous.

What an entertainer.
What a ninja.

Olivia Vivian, come here.

Sorry, Ben. Sorry, Ben.
It's all good. It's all good.

What's going on?

Olivia Vivian, you are the first girl
in Australian Ninja Warrior history

to make it to the top of
the Warped Wall in the heats,

the first girl in Series 2
to get to the top.

Can I ask ya or do I need to ask ya
how you're feeling?

I have trained so hard
for a full year to defeat that wall.

I am so happy right now.

I'm just so grateful
to my Ninja community

who have helped me train for that
'cause it is not easy.

Could you be the first person and
woman to make it up Mt Midoriyama?

That is the big question.
How far can you go?

Let's hope all the way, Freddie.

Yeah, me too. That was amazing.
Do you want your tutu back?

Well, history has been made
on the first night of Season 2

of Australian Ninja Warrior

and you get the feeling that they've
set the bar for much more to come.

With the top 20 ninjas
progressing to the semi-finals,

Ben Polson takes number one spot,

a second ahead of exciting newcomer
Bryson Klein.

The Ninja Academy boys
dominate page two of the stats.

Olivia Vivian was the 12th
and last ninja

to make it up the wall tonight.

Good news is Onesie Ninja
Laura Edwards

has achieved her dream
of making the semis,

as has adventurer Steve Choate.

Bad news for Pa Rambo
who misses out.

Furthest fastest tonight
was the incredible Ben Polson

but there's only one candidate
for Performance of the Night.

Olivia Vivian with that
amazing backflip up the wall.

Tomorrow night
on Australian Ninja Warrior,

more of our heroes return
for their date with destiny.

And nothing's gonna break me
on this course.

But, setting foot on Ninja Island
for the first time,

the newcomers, just as determined
to beat the course.

I'm hoping to maybe even
just do a Steve Bradbury.

You know, if everyone else
falls off, I'm your winner.

Our first father and son ninjas.

I'm here to say that this old man
has still got it.

And I'm here to show
that he doesn't.

A professional rugby league player.

Everything I do,
you always have fear of failure

and that'll be no different
out there tonight.

And a son of two Olympians.

Most of the other competitors
in Ninja

wouldn't be able to do
what Jet does.

They've all got Mt Midoriyama
in their sights.

This time, I'm getting to the top.

But their first goal
is to beat the wall

and, after tonight, the only thing we
know for sure, anything is possible.

Well, that brings us to the end of
another history-making Ninja Warrior,

signalling the start of a season
that promises to be bigger than ever.

Join us again tomorrow night
with new obstacles, new ninjas

and a whole new night
of exciting action

on Australian Ninja Warrior.

Goodnight.