Australian Ninja Warrior season 4

The fourth season of the sports entertainment reality competition series Australian Ninja Warrior premiered on 26 July 2020 on the Nine Network.[1] The season is hosted by Rebecca Maddern, Ben Fordham, Freddie Flintoff and Shane Crawford.[2]

Australian Ninja Warrior
Season 4
Presented by
No. of episodes8
Release
Original networkNine Network
Original release26 July (2020-07-26) –
10 August 2020 (2020-08-10)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 3
Next →
Season 5

Production

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On 17 October 2019, the series was officially renewed for a fourth season at Nine's upfronts, also confirming Fordham, Maddern and Flintoff were returning.[3] The series was again relocated, with filming taking place at Melbourne Showgrounds in Ascot Vale.[4][5][6] Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, production introduced audience lock-out, meaning members of the public could not attend as audience; only family members of contestants were allowed to attend.[7] Co-host Rebecca Maddern, was temporarily placed in self-isolation and replaced by Shane Crawford for two heats, before being cleared and returning to filming.[8][9] Crawford returned to the season as the sideline commentator for the semis and Grand Final after Freddie Flintoff had to fly back to the UK before coronavirus pandemic measures came into effect.[10]

Format Changes

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  • Power Tower - The Power Tower will see the two furthest fastest Ninjas from each heat and semi-final run go head-to-head side by side on an all new obstacle, climbing five 1.5m high steps, before a 2.35m leap to the first bar, travel 4.5m to the vertical pole, which they will slide down to an unsteady horizontal beam, move across a 3m beam to the next pole and climb 5.5m, then lache 1.75m to the horizontal ladder before leaping onto the platform and race to hit the buzzer.
    • Advantages
      • Heats - The winner will receive a 10-second time advantage into the semi-finals, meaning 10 seconds will be taken off their final time.
      • Semi-finals - The winner will receive a second chance advantage into the Grand Final, meaning if they make a mistake during their run, they can re-run the course again.

Rounds

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Underline represents the contestant who won the Speed Pass in the qualifying heats as a result of winning the head to head competition on the Power Tower.

Green represents the contestant who won the Safety Pass in the semi-finals as a result of winning the head to head competition on the Power Tower.

Italics denotes female competitors.

Episode 1

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Heat 1

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This episode aired on 26 July 2020. Only 6 competitors completed this course, with a large number of athletes bowing out on the Doorknob Drop. Returning athlete Ashlin Herbert received a 10-second advantage for the semi-finals, after beating Daniel Mason on the Power Tower.

  • Quintuple Steps
  • Tic Toc to Net
  • Bridge of Blades
  • Doorknob Drop
  • Double Squirrel
  • Warped Wall
Top 16 Competitors
Rank Competitor State Time Furthest Obstacle
1 Ashlin Herbert VIC 1:26 Completed
2 Daniel Mason VIC 1:42 Completed
3 Zak Stolz VIC 1:58 Completed
4 Jake Baker VIC 2:25 Completed
5 Stewart Furze SA 2:38 Completed
6 Steve Taylor Madin VIC 4:06 Completed
7 Michael Mischefski VIC 1:20 Failed on Double Squirrel
8 Rhys Landwehr WA 1:48 Failed on Double Squirrel
9 Troy Cullen VIC 1:05 Failed on Doorknob Drop
10 Chris Poppleton VIC 1:06 Failed on Doorknob Drop
11 Ryan Solomon QLD 1:16 Failed on Doorknob Drop
12 Matthew Matazita VIC 1:17 Failed on Doorknob Drop
13 Josh O’Sullivan NSW 1:10 Failed on Doorknob Drop
14 Dan Bird-Smith QLD 1:24 Failed on Doorknob Drop
15 Cian Maciejewski NSW 2:02 Failed on Doorknob Drop
16 Skye Haddy QLD 2:04 Failed on Doorknob Drop

Episode 2

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Heat 2

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This episode aired on 27 July 2020. Only 2 competitors completed this course, with a large number of athletes bowing out on the Doorknob Drop. Returning athlete Ben Polson received a 10-second advantage for the semi-finals, after beating Olivia Vivian on the Power Tower.

  • Quintuple Steps
  • Tic Toc to Net
  • Bridge of Blades
  • Doorknob Drop
  • Flying Shelf Grab
  • Warped Wall
Top 16 Competitors
Rank Competitor State Time Furthest Obstacle
1 Ben Polson WA 2:16 Completed
2 Olivia Vivian WA 5:53 Completed
3 Eddie Burrill QLD 3:16 Failed on Flying Shelf Grab
4 Jack Martin QLD 1:06 Failed on Doorknob Drop
5 Danielle Smith WA 1:07 Failed on Doorknob Drop
6 Todd Smith QLD 1:12 Failed on Doorknob Drop
7 Tom Nicholson VIC 1:13 Failed on Doorknob Drop
8 Brendan Nachtigal VIC 1:14 Failed on Doorknob Drop
9 Justin Flegler QLD 1:15 Failed on Doorknob Drop
10 Nathan Burley QLD 1:21 Failed on Doorknob Drop
11 Jade Genet QLD 1:22 Failed on Doorknob Drop
12 Monika Siemonek QLD 1:34 Failed on Doorknob Drop
13 Mel Armstrong VIC 1:35 Failed on Doorknob Drop
14 Eloni Vunakece NSW 1:36 Failed on Doorknob Drop
15 Sarah Blackmore VIC 2:03 Failed on Doorknob Drop
16 Raphaela Wiget SA 2:13 Failed on Doorknob Drop

Episode 3

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Heat 3

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This episode aired on 28 July 2020. Only 3 competitors completed this course, with a large number of athletes bowing out on the Bar Hop. Returning athlete Sam Goodall received a 10-second advantage for the semi-finals, after beating Matt Filippi on the Power Tower.

  • Quintuple Steps
  • Butterfly Wall to Zipline
  • Bridge of Blades
  • Bar Hop
  • Flying Shelf Grab
  • Warped Wall
Top 16 Competitors
Rank Competitor State Time Furthest Obstacle
1 Matt Filippi QLD 1:17 Completed
2 Sam Goodall WA 1:38 Completed
3 Zed Colback WA 2:34 Completed
4 Alex Matthews WA 2:34 Failed on Flying Shelf Grab
5 James Sayers VIC 1:44 Failed on Flying Shelf Grab
6 Matt Laycock QLD 1:57 Failed on Flying Shelf Grab
7 Nic Manning NSW 3:15 Failed on Flying Shelf Grab
8 Harry Cole VIC 0:46 Failed on Bar Hop
9 Rhys Menzel SA 0:54 Failed on Bar Hop
10 Danial Wyles-Wall QLD 0:55 Failed on Bar Hop
11 Luke Filippi QLD 0:56 Failed on Bar Hop
12 Alex Bigg SA 1:10 Failed on Bar Hop
13 Jarryd Sutton SA 1:11 Failed on Bar Hop
14 Luke London VIC 1:12 Failed on Bar Hop
15 Daniel Tolli VIC 1:30 Failed on Bar Hop
16 Will Kelly SA 1:55 Failed on Bar Hop

Episode 4

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Heat 4

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This episode aired on 2 August 2020. 10 competitors completed this course, with a large number of athletes bowing out on the Basket Toss. Returning athlete Charlie Robbins received a 10-second advantage for the semi-finals, after beating Bryson Klein on the Power Tower.

  • Quintuple Steps
  • Butterfly Wall to Zipline
  • Bridge of Blades
  • Bar Hop
  • Basket Toss
  • Warped Wall
Top 16 Competitors
Rank Competitor State Time Furthest Obstacle
1 Charlie Robbins VIC 0:47 Completed
2 Bryson Klein NSW 0:48 Completed
3 Rainer Scheu QLD 1:01 Completed
4 Rob Patterson QLD 1:02 Completed
5 Mike Snow VIC 1:27 Completed
6 Fred Dorrington QLD 1:42 Completed
7 Michael Fisher QLD 1:47 Completed
8 Jordan Papandrea NSW 1:55 Completed
9 Zac Perillo VIC 2:21 Completed
10 Clem Vertigan VIC 2:36 Completed
11 Alexander Robinson NSW 1:37 Failed on Basket Toss
12 Tony Torrisi QLD 2:02 Failed on Basket Toss
13 Chris White WA 2:03 Failed on Basket Toss
14 Donny Byrne WA 2:04 Failed on Basket Toss
15 Paul Culloty QLD 2:14 Failed on Basket Toss
16 Matthew Bowles WA 0:21 Failed on Bar Hop

Episode 5

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Semi-final 1

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This episode aired on 3 August 2020. The top 12 competitors all completed the course. Returning athlete Zak Stolz received a second chance advantage for the Grand Final, after beating Jordan Papandrea on the Power Tower.

  • Snake Run
  • Rolling Log
  • Diving Boards
  • Ring Toss
  • Slingshot
  • Warped Wall
  • Barrell Roll
  • Spider Jump
  • Invisible Ladder
Top 12 Competitors
Rank Competitor State Time Furthest Obstacle
1 Zak Stolz VIC 3:03 Completed
2 Jordan Papandrea NSW 3:43 Completed
3 Rob Patterson QLD 4:07 Completed
4 Mike Snow VIC 4:57 Completed
5 Troy Cullen VIC 5:12 Completed
6 Zed Colback WA 5:37 Completed
7 Todd Smith QLD 5:38 Completed
8 Eddie Burrill QLD 5:38 Completed
9 Stewart Furze SA 5:48 Completed
10 Sam Goodall WA 5:51 Completed
11 Alex Matthews WA 6:00 Completed
12 Jack Martin QLD 6:12 Completed

Episode 6

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Semi-final 2

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This episode aired on 4 August 2020. Five competitors completed this course, with a large number of athletes bowing out on the Slingshot. Returning athlete Charlie Robbins received a second chance advantage for the Grand Final, after beating Matthew Bowles on the Power Tower.

  • Snake Run
  • Rolling Log
  • Diving Boards
  • Ring Turn
  • Slingshot
  • Warped Wall
  • Barrel Roll
  • Spider Jump
  • Invisible Ladder
Top 12 Competitors
Rank Competitor State Time Furthest Obstacle
1 Charlie Robbins VIC 5:03 Completed
2 Matthew Bowles WA 5:15 Completed
3 Bryson Klein NSW 5:40 Completed
4 Fred Dorrington QLD 6:49 Completed
5 Olivia Vivian WA 10:17 Completed
6 Harry Cole VIC 6:51 Failed on Spider Jump
7 Ben Polson WA 2:01 Failed on Slingshot
8 Alex Bigg SA 2:02 Failed on Slingshot
9 Jake Baker VIC 2:09 Failed on Slingshot
10 Rainer Scheu QLD 2:18 Failed on Slingshot
11 Ryan Solomon QLD 2:19 Failed on Slingshot
12 Rhys Landwehr WA 2:30 Failed on Slingshot

Episode 7

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Grand Final, Stage 1

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This episode aired on 9 August 2020.

Competitors had to complete Stage 1 within 3 minutes and 45 seconds to advance to Stage 2. Only 8 of the 24 semi-finalists managed to complete all the obstacles in time. Olivia Vivian became the first woman to advance to Stage 2 of the Grand Final in the history of the Australian competition.

  • Snake Run
  • Rolling Log
  • Balance Bridge
  • Ring Turn
  • Flying Shelf Grab
  • Warped Wall
  • Ferris Wheel
  • Spider Jump
  • Chimney Sweep
Successful completion of Stage 1
Rank Competitor State Time Remaining
1 Zak Stolz VIC 0:37
2 Mike Snow VIC 0:32
3 Jordan Papandrea NSW 0:19
4 Charlie Robbins VIC 0:13
5 Ben Polson WA 0:07
6 Olivia Vivian WA 0:06
7 Alex Matthews WA 0:05
8 Matthew Bowles WA 0:02

Episode 8

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Grand Final, Stage 2

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This episode aired on 10 August 2020. Contestants had 2 minutes and 15 seconds to finish the six obstacles that were Stage 2.

  • Rope Jungle
  • Spin Hopper
  • Salmon Ladder
  • Unstable Bridge
  • Wing Nuts
  • Cat Grab
  • Wall Lift
Full results for Stage 2
Rank Competitor State Furthest Obstacle Time Remaining
1 Charlie Robbins VIC Completed 0:22
2 Zak Stolz VIC Completed 0:15
3 Ben Polson WA Completed 0:09
4 Matthew Bowles WA Completed 0:04
5 Alex Matthews WA Failed on Wing Nuts
6 Olivia Vivian WA Failed on Salmon Ladder
7 Jordan Papandrea NSW Failed on Spin Hopper
8 Mike Snow VIC Disqualified on Spin Hopper

Grand Final, Stage 3

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Unlike the first two stages, no time limit was imposed on the Ninjas to complete Stage 3. Completion of this stage resulted in progressing to Stage 4.

  • Hang Climb
  • Body Prop
  • Crazy Cliffhanger
  • Floating Doors
  • Flying Bar
Unranked results for Stage 3
Competitor State Furthest Obstacle
Charlie Robbins VIC Completed
Zak Stolz VIC Completed
Ben Polson WA Completed
Matthew Bowles WA Failed on Flying Bar

Stage 4, Mount Midoriyama

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Competitors have to climb up a single rope up 20 metres to the top of Mt. Midoriyama within 30 seconds. For the first time in 4 seasons, 3 people made the top of Mt. Midoriyama. They are allowed to hit the buzzer before fully completing the ascent to the top.

Full results for Stage 4
Rank Competitor State Time to ascend 2020 Season Result
1 Ben Polson WA 25:56 Winner & First Australian Ninja Warrior
2 Charlie Robbins VIC 26:56
3 Zak Stolz VIC 29:80

Obstacles by episode

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Heats

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Time Limit 1:50

Heat 1 Heat 2 Heat 3 Heat 4
Quintuple Steps Quintuple Steps Quintuple Steps Quintuple Steps
Tic Toc to Net Tic Toc to Net Butterfly Wall to Zipline Butterfly Wall to Zipline
Bridge of Blades Bridge of Blades Bridge of Blades Bridge of Blades
Doorknob Drop Doorknob Drop Bar Hop Bar Hop
Double Squirrel Flying Shelf Grab Flying Shelf Grab Basket Toss
Warped Wall Warped Wall Warped Wall Warped Wall

Finals

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Semi-final 1 Semi-final 2 Grand Final
Stage 1 Stage 2 Stage 3
Snake Run Snake Run Snake Run Rope Jungle Hang Climb
Rolling Log Rolling Log Rolling Log Spin Hopper Body Prop
Diving Boards Diving Boards Diving Boards Salmon Ladder Crazy Cliffhanger
Ring Toss Ring Turn Ring Turn Unstable Bridge Floating Doors
Slingshot Slingshot Flying Shelf Grab Wing Nuts Flying Bar
Warped Wall Warped Wall Warped Wall Cat Grab
Barrel Roll Barrel Roll Ferris Wheel Wall Lift
Spider Jump Spider Jump Spider Jump
Invisible Ladder Invisible Ladder Chimney Sweep

Viewership

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No. Title Air date Timeslot Overnight ratings Consolidated ratings Total
viewers
Ref(s)
Viewers Rank Viewers Rank
1 Heat 1 26 July 2020 Sunday 7:00pm 1,040,000 3 56,000 3 1,096,000 [11][12]
2 Heat 2 27 July 2020 Monday 7:30pm 848,000 6 69,000 5 917,000 [13][14]
3 Heat 3 28 July 2020 Tuesday 7:30pm 793,000 5 68,000 5 861,000 [15][16]
4 Heat 4 2 August 2020 Sunday 7:00pm 898,000 3 52,000 3 950,000 [17][18]
5 Semi-final 1 3 August 2020 Monday 7:30pm 879,000 5 65,000 5 944,000 [19][20]
6 Semi-final 2 4 August 2020 Tuesday 7:30pm 837,000 6 91,000 5 928,000 [21][22]
7 Grand Final Stage 1 9 August 2020 Sunday 7:00pm 1,098,000 3 47,000 2 1,145,000 [23][24]
8 Grand Final Stage 2
Winner Announced
10 August 2020 Monday 7:30pm
Monday 9:30pm
1,060,000
1,199,000
5
2
86,000
73,000
3
1
1,144,000
1,272,000
[25][26]

References

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  1. ^ Knox, David (13 July 2020). "Returning: Australian Ninja Warrior 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 13 July 2020.
  2. ^ "Ninja Warrior gets Sunday premiere date on Nine". TV Black Box. 12 July 2020. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  3. ^ Knox, David (16 October 2019). "Upfronts 2020: Nine: Informer 3838, Halifax, returning reality juggernauts". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  4. ^ Knox, David (19 February 2020). "Audience tix: Australian Ninja Warrior". TV Tonight. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  5. ^ "Nine locks in new location for AUSTRALIAN NINJA WARRIOR". 18 February 2020. Archived from the original on 19 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  6. ^ "Australian Ninja Warrior moves to new location + tickets now available". Media Week. 19 February 2020. Retrieved 19 February 2020.
  7. ^ Quinn, Karl (15 March 2020). "No live audiences for Q&A, The Project as TV hopes to avoid worst". SMH. Retrieved 16 March 2020.
  8. ^ Knox, David (17 March 2020). "COVID-19: Rebecca Maddern / Survivor reunion / Aust. Got Talent delay". TV Tonight. Retrieved 17 March 2020.
  9. ^ Knox, David (18 March 2020). "Rebecca Maddern cleared, returns to Ninja Warrior". TV Tonight. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  10. ^ Gavin, Rachael (3 August 2020). "Freddie Flintoff forced to leave Australian Ninja Warrior mid-season due to coronavirus border closures". 9Now. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  11. ^ Knox, David (29 July 2020). "Sunday 26 July 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  12. ^ Knox, David (7 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Sunday 26 July 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  13. ^ Knox, David (30 July 2020). "Monday 27 July 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  14. ^ Knox, David (7 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Monday 27 July 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  15. ^ Knox, David (30 July 2020). "Tuesday 28 July 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  16. ^ Knox, David (7 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 28 July 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 8 August 2020.
  17. ^ Knox, David (3 August 2020). "Sunday 2 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  18. ^ Knox, David (14 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Sunday 2 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  19. ^ Knox, David (4 August 2020). "Monday 3 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  20. ^ Knox, David (14 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Monday 3 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  21. ^ Knox, David (5 August 2020). "Tuesday 4 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 5 August 2020.
  22. ^ Knox, David (14 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Tuesday 4 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  23. ^ Knox, David (10 August 2020). "Sunday 9 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  24. ^ Knox, David (21 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Sunday 9 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 August 2020.
  25. ^ Knox, David (11 August 2020). "Monday 10 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  26. ^ Knox, David (21 August 2020). "Timeshifted: Monday 10 August 2020". TV Tonight. Retrieved 21 August 2020.