Original subtitles

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.