The explosive new series of Australian Ninja Warrior 2022 has begun and viewers got to see some famous faces take on the challenge.
This year, 10 celebrities will unleash the show’s most difficult course yet, with a chance to take home $10,000 for their chosen charity.
Singer Jack Vidgen, Olympian Emily Seebohm, and soccer player Archie Thompson were the first three stars to go head-to-head in Episode 1, and you can watch their entire run in the video above.
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The winner was determined by whoever completed the course in the fastest time, went the furthest without falling, or by a Warped Wall tiebreaker in the event of a tie.
The celebrities received help from experts, each partnering with a Ninja legend for their trainer before taking the course.
Here’s who emerged victorious in Episode 1:
Training and coaches
Singer Jack was trained by Eloni Vunakece, fresh from his stint at Celebrity Trainee Australia.
“A couple of days ago, I didn’t know the word ‘Lache’ existed. This is completely out of my comfort zone!” Jack confessed during training.
Meanwhile, soccer legend Archie enjoyed a training session with Zak Stolz.
“My biggest fear is probably how bad I’ll fall and bunch up, or even that it might be a meme,” Archie laughed. “Everything I do always seems to end up as a meme!”
Meanwhile, Olympic champion Emily was trained by Josh O’Sullivan.
“I have learned through my time training with Ninja that I am never going to be a Ninja and that Josh is a superhuman.” she laughed during training.
Jack Vine’s career
Jack was the first to take on the course, for his chosen charity, the Trish Multiple Sclerosis Research Foundation, a cause close to the singer’s heart, as his father suffers from multiple sclerosis.
He started walking and ran through the Shrinking Steps with ease, quickly grabbing the rope and swinging towards the next obstacle.
He was greeted with a huge amount of applause from the fans and decided to treat them to a twerk to celebrate.
“Not often seen in Ninja, but welcome!” host Jim Courier laughed.
“Watch Jack go!” Jim’s co-anchor, Leila McKinnon, yelled. “Eloni loves this!”
Jack then faced the Anaconda, a new obstacle in the course. In it, the ninjas have to use 27 doorknobs to move through the water, along the giant floating snake.
Ninjas can also use any of the three Lache bars to cross, but it’s a three meter long gap that many can’t grasp.
Unfortunately, Jack only managed to lightly grab the third doorknob before falling into the water.
Archie Thompson’s career
Archie was the second to run and imitated Jack by starting his run with a cheeky twerk to the crowd.
He was running for his charity Team Sport 4 All, an organization that helps underprivileged children take part in sport.
Archie jumped over the Shrinking Steps with ease, before grabbing onto the rope and passing the Domino Effect, which he confidently crossed.
But as he made his way to the Anaconda, he was unable to get up and landed in exactly the same spot as Jack before him.
Emily Seebohm
Emily, who was participating to raise money for the EndED eating disorder charity, was the last celebrity to participate on the night.
Just like the others, he ran through the Shriking Steps without bothering.
“Emily is going for the gold tonight, and she’s excited!” Leila said.
After getting some pointers from her trainer Josh on the sidelines, Emily took on the domino effect and cruised through with ease.
“My heart races!” he told her as he prepared to hit the Anaconda.
All Emily needed to do was get further than the other celebs on the giant snake, and things were looking great as she grabbed the first doorknob and stood up.
But when he reached the third, he sadly fell where they all had before and plunged into the pool below.
With all three celebrities hitting the water at exactly the same point, there was only one thing: a tiebreaker.
Celebrities face the Warped Wall
The three celebrities were given the chance to run up the Warped Wall.
They only had one attempt to reach the top of the 4.35-meter-high wall and ring the bell to win the $10,000.
Emily was first, taking a big sprint as she tried to lunge, but couldn’t catch on at the last second.
Unfortunately, Archie fell just like Emily and couldn’t grab onto the edge.
Finally, it was Jack’s turn.
“He’s doing this for his father, so he’s very motivated,” Jim said.
After the crowd chanted his name, he ran to the wall with all his might and sensationally made it to the top to press the buzzer.
As she did, she couldn’t resist doing a second cheeky twerk to celebrate.
Will and Woody then talked to Jack about his win and what the money meant to his charity.
“I don’t want to get emotional…” she said through tears.
“It just means a lot. My dad has MS so raising awareness means a lot. I can’t believe it!”
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Australian Ninja Warrior airs Monday through Wednesday at 7:30pm on Nine and 9Now. Stay up to date with the latest news Australian Ninja Warriors Episodes at 9Now.