Gold Coast’s ‘Deadly Ninja’ Jack Wilson’s a warrior in Budgie Smugglers

MERMAID Beach carpenter, trainer and Australian Ninja Warrior star in the making Jack Wilson joins an indigenous Marathon Foundation team for the 10km run at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.

DON’T be surprised if you find yourself running around the Gold Coast tomorrow beside a bona fide Ninja Warrior wearing indigenous flag Budgie Smugglers.

Mermaid Beach carpenter, trainer and Australian Ninja Warrior (ANW) star in the making Jack Wilson is an ambassador for the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, which will field a team in the Gold Coast Airport Marathon weekend’s 10km run event.

A proud Kalkadoon man who grew up in North West Queensland, Wilson turned to long distance running to steer himself away from drugs and alcohol.

In 2013, he joined the Indigenous Marathon Project, which saw him mentored by Olympian Robert de Castella and sent to the US to compete in the New York Marathon, his journey documented as part of an ABC TV documentary.

Jack Wilson in action on the Australian Ninja Warrior course on Cockatoo Island in Sydney.

Wilson returns to TV on July 9 to compete as ‘Deadly Ninja’ on Channel 9’s new physical endurance series Australian Ninja Warrior.

A contagiously enthusiastic, positive live wire and callisthenics mentor at AMPM HQ at Miami, Wilson, 23, applied for the show at a workmate’s suggestion.

“I looked it up and filled out all the application that day — it took me a long time to fill out — but I was just determined to fill it out and before I knew it I got the call and before I knew it I was in Sydney and then before I knew it I was on the show and then ... it was all just coming together.

“It was meant to happen.”

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For Wilson, ANW is a chance to represent both Australia’s First Nation people (he competes in his indigenous flag Budgies and traditional body paint) and the benefits of leading a healthy, active lifestyle.

“I’ve got a lot of people wanting to become Ninja Warriors already — so that’s the message I want to put out there to indigenous people but non indigenous as well,” he said.

“I’ve had a lot of impact back home (in Mt Isa) already and the show isn’t even out yet so my goal is to teach young indigenous kids to become ninjas because I see a lot of potential in the communities.

“I want to show people anything is possible.”

Australian Ninja Warrior Gold Coast contestant Jack Wilson flies high in Surfers Paradise. Picture: Mike Batterham

Wilson grew up in a large sport and fitness-orientated family.

“I’ve always been a happy chap,” he said of his electric energy.

“My old girl’s really bubbly, so I definitely get it from my old girl and my older brothers, too.

“We were always growing up laughing and having funnies and I was always smiling and telling jokes and all that.

“It’s all about making people laugh and making people feel comfortable.”

Indigenous Marathon Project founder and former Olympian Robert de Castella (right) with Jack Wilson and fellow project participant Toni Daisy in Townsville in 2013. Picture: Wesley Monts

Wilson said the challenges contestants faced on ANW were more than just physical.

“You can be the fittest guy in the world but when it comes to the day of Ninja Warrior it’s a different story,” he said.

“You get one chance and that’s the beauty of it. It comes down to the day — how your nerves are, how you are in front of people, big crowds and cameras.

“It’s huge. It’s a big moment. You feel like a rock star but you’ve got to perform. You’ve got to show what you’re made of, you know?

“Some people, when they step up to the plate, it’s just too much for them.”

Jack Wilson crosses the finish line in the New York Marathon in 2013. Wilson finished in an incredible 3.14.49.

While his background as an endurance runner came in handy, Wilson said his mental strength was his greatest asset — in both sport and life.

“All the fitness aside, my mind is very strong and I learnt that off my father,” he said.

“If you have a healthy mind you have a healthy life so if you can master that mental strength all the other strengths fall into place.”

And if you can do it in Budgie Smugglers? Even better.

“That’s it hey,” Wilson said.

“Free range of movement. You don’t have anything holding you back then.”

Australian Ninja Warrior premieres on Channel 9 on July 9 at 7pm.