Ninja Warrior Fred Dorrington the Australian course is ‘way harder’ than UK

FRESH from Ninja Warrior UK, serial contestant Fred Dorrington reveals why the Australian Ninja Warrior course is ‘way harder’.

SERIAL Ninja Warrior contestant Fred Dorrington thinks UK Ninja Warrior is child’s play compared to its Australian counterpart.

“The Australian course is way harder, it pushes you to the limits,” said Dorrington, one of 20 hopefuls competing in the grand final tonight.

“The UK show is more like Wipeout. In Australia, they give more airtime to athleticism,” he said.
“The obstacles are similar on both shows but they are set up to be more challenging in Australian Ninja Warrior. For example, there’s a few dismounts that are horrendously bigger on the Australian course than in the UK version,” he explained.

Fred Dorrington is a global ninja. Picture: Jason O'Brien

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Dorrington has been criticised as a “cheater” by viewers who believe his experience on UK Ninja Warrior — in which he placed third last August — gives him an unfair advantage.

“I don’t think it’s unfair at all. I was in the semi-final with the four best rock climbers in Australia (Lee and Ben Cossey, Tom Halloran and Andrea Hah). When I found that out my jaw dropped,” said Dorrington, from Lismore, NSW.

And while the course may be tougher, according to Dorrington, so are our Aussie ninjas.

“The UK show is about everyone having a go. It doesn’t focus on athleticism, and the actual production is all about rewinding splashdowns and laughing at people when they’re failing,” he said.

Fred Dorrington competing on Ninja Warrior UK last August. Picture: Supplied.

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“UK ninjas can be broke down into three categories,” explained Dorrington, 27.

“A third you expect to do well, a third are kind of all right, and a third of contestants are just there for entertainment. People you’d never expect — I mean, they had a 65-year-old lady on there. She was never going to get through the heats.”

The Australian ninjas on the other hand are a force to be reckoned with.

Does Fred Dorrington have what it takes? Picture: Jason O'Brien

“When I saw the people in my heat, I thought, ‘wow, this is a different kettle of fish’,” recalled Dorrington.

“Everyone was a fully ripped gym junkie PT (personal trainer), with an athletic background. Then I realised I was really in the deep end.”

Australian Ninja Warrior airs 7.30pm tonight on Nine.