Meet the Gold Coast Ninja Warrior contestants

A Gold Coast champion lifesaver has revealed the ‘terrified’ moment behind his new debut stunt. SUBSCRIBE TO READ THE STORY

CHAMPION lifesaver Matt Bevilacqua is no stranger to the spotlight, but says he crumbled with nerves during his latest stunt.

The 28-year-old is a five times world paddleboard and Nutri-Grain Ironman Series champion.

But even though he is considered one of the fittest people on the Gold Coast, he admits the intense Ninja Warrior Australia obstacle course made his knees weak.

“Being on TV (before) doesn’t make it any less nerve-racking. I was totally terrified,” he told the Bulletin.

Matt Bevilacqua. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“I’m at home in the water and Ninja Warrior is not that. You need to keep away from the water.

“I spoke to a lot of the Ninjas the night of and they were very nervous … and that magnified how nervous I was.”

Season four of the show was filmed for three weeks at the start of the pandemic in March at the Melbourne Showgrounds.

At the time there were fears host Rebecca Maddern could have coronavirus after Today colleague Richard Wilkins tested positive. However, she was in the clear.

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Jade and Skye Haddy. Picture Glenn Hampson

It is understood Bevilacqua, 181cm tall and weighing 78kg, was given only a couple of days notice to be filmed for the series.

“I didn’t do any training for it and I didn’t have much notice,” he said.

“But I’m proud I had a go considering (the lack of) preparation.”

Bevilacqua will be one of four Gold Coast contestants from a total of 140 Australians appearing on the TV series, which premieres tonight.

They will be representing the Gold Coast. Picture Glenn Hampson

The “Aerial Sisters” – Jade, 24, and Skye Haddy, 28 – will make their small screen debut and although they had time to prepare for the competition, they were unable to train.

“All my training is in an aerial studio so I didn’t have access to train,” Jade said.

“I tried to stay motivated and train and stretch at home but 90 per cent of my strength comes from the equipment.

“I tried doing push-ups every day and it wasn’t very fun or motivating for me.”

Her sister Skye, a gymnastic coach who travelled through Asia with Cavalia Circus for two years, shared the same story.

Plant based giant Jacob Hohua. Picture Glenn Hampson

“I tried to keep fit,” she said. “I ended up setting up rings on the back patio to hang off. But in saying that, you don’t really know what you’re preparing for.”

New father Jacob Hohua, 24, who is 180cm and 100kg and calls himself the “plant-based gorilla”, will also compete.

The four will take on the new Power Tower and gravity-defying Mt Midoriyama for the chance of winning $400,000.