Four Blackheath rock climbers are yet to commit to the next series of the ratings juggernaut Ninja Warrior, despite one becoming the first Australian woman up the warped wall, and the other three making the grand finals.
But all four – Tom O’Halloran, Andrea Hah, her partner Lee Cossey and Lee’s brother Ben – are keen to give it a go if their schedules match up with Channel Nine’s and are training just in case.
“It depends on timing, when it’s going to be shot,” said Lee Cossey, 34.
“We definitely had a good time and are keen to do it, if it all works around other [work and holiday] plans.” Lee and Andrea are set to climb El Capitan, in Yosemite, in America, later in the year, which may conflict with the second series, to be filmed sometime between October and January.
Tom O’Halloran, who placed second in the show, is also keen to be there and said his partner Amanda Watts might even sign up too.
Pint sized 31-year-old Andrea Hah managed to overcome the 4.2 metre high wall despite being only 161 cms tall. It took six seasons in the American series and the United Kingdom is still waiting for a woman to scale the wall after three seasons.
“It was a standout moment,” Lee said.
The four rock climbers have been busy with media commitments since the show started last month.
“It’s been more like three minutes [of fame] not 15,” Lee said laughing.
Lee said rushing the tough course in the final stage had been his downfall. The other final eight competitors, including Tom O’Halloran, failed to complete it in the allotted time.
“But I was more than happy with my strategy and really happy to get to that point … it wouldn’t surprise me if they do increase the time on that part of the course,” Lee said.
More than three million people regularly watched the tough obstacle course show. Tom has been regularly recognised as a ninja and stopped in the streets of Brisbane, Penrith and Chatswood.
“But I think I will fall out of people’s thoughts and they will move on to The Block,” he added laughing.
Lee said “people relate to it like the monkey bars or the swings they played on as kids”. It was also easier to follow than most sports.
“Just in terms of rules, you fall into the water or you don’t,” Andrea added.
In anticipation of a return to the show, Lee and Amanda have been practicing their sprint and balancing skills by jumping logs while running through Blackheath’s popular Grand Canyon.
And Tom said if he does take part again he will go to one of the specialist Sydney gyms to practice “flying through the air”.
Despite its popularity, the show did attract controversy when Today Show host Karl Stefanovic suggested the course was so difficult there should be a separate one for women. It also garnered haters on social media when no-one finished and no ninja warrior was crowned.
Lee said those familiar with the format would not have been surprised there was no final winner and said it was about encouraging fitness to kids and adults. Both he and Andrea liked that there was one course for both sexes.
“When someone does win, it’s going to be a big deal,” he said.