Friends shocked as Australian Ninja Warrior cuts Gold Coast stuntman Johann Ofner’s run from show

JOHANN Ofner’s family and friends looked forward to his stellar performance on new reality TV series Australian Ninja Warrior but footage of the late Gold Coast man may never be seen.

JOHANN Ofner’s family and friends were certain his stellar performance on new reality TV series Australian Ninja Warrior would be the breakthrough the stuntman had been waiting for.

So they were shocked when Channel 9 and the show’s producers revealed the late Gold Coast dad’s run on the world’s most difficult obstacle course has been edited out of the series, which premieres on July 9.

Mr Ofner, 28, known as Yogi to his friends, was fatally injured in January when a prop gun discharged on the set of a Bliss N Eso music video filming in Brisbane.

Gold Coast stuntman Johann Ofner in an Australian Ninja Warrior promo ad.

Friend Beau Rogers said the decision had stunned Mr Ofner’s loved ones.

“We were gutted to hear they’re not going to air him. The initial promo was Yogi. He was the face of it on the original ad,” he said.

“I spoke to him every single day he was there filming and he’d tell me how excited he was to be competing.

“I’ve got the messages from him saying “it was so beautiful, having my little girl beside me cheering, saying ‘go daddy go daddy’.

“This was the biggest thing. This is him showcasing himself and everything he trained his whole life for and we’re not going to see it.”

A

Johann Ofner died after he was shot on the set of a music video being filmed in Brisbane in January. Picture: Instagram.

Nine spokesman said production company Endemol Shine Australia and Nine had decided to feature an on-screen in memoriam dedication to Mr Ofner instead.

“We have been in close contact with his next of kin, who are supportive of this decision,” the spokesman said.

“We have the utmost respect for Johann and his involvement in Ninja Warrior and we want to honour his memory in the most appropriate way.”

Mat Teamoke, who co-owned lifestyle and callisthenics label AMPM with Mr Ofner, said it was disappointing Mr Ofner’s performance would not be screened.

Johann Ofner’s friend and business partner Mat Teamoke at the new AMPM HQ fitness studio in Miami. Picture: Mike Batterham

“It would have been so good to see him,” he said.

“The interviews he did for the show would have brought out his personality and showed people what sort of person he was. Everyone would have been amazed.”

Mr Teamoke, who recently opened an AMPM HQ fitness studio in Miami, said the show’s producers spoke to Mr Ofner’s partner, Kati Garnett, and mum Mariah Ofner.

“They’ve also been in touch with (his daughter) Kyarna’s mum (Samaya Grace) and she’s the same. She really wanted to see him.

“It’s a decision Channel 9 have made. We would loved to have seen him.”

AMPM fitness guru Johann Ofner working out at Burleigh in February 2016. Picture: Kit Wise

Hosted by Rebecca Maddern, “Freddie” Flintoff and Ben Fordham, Australian Ninja Warrior was filmed at Cockatoo Island, in Sydney Harbour, late last year.

Ofner enjoyed a stellar run on the show during filming last December, making it through to the semi finals.

“He was one of our great competitors,” Maddern said.

Australian Ninja Warrior premieres on Sunday, July 9, at 7pm.