Since semi-final 2 it’s clear: Andrea Meßner is Last Woman Standing from Ninja Warrior Germany! It just didn’t make it to the final, but the climbing instructor and native of South Tyrol secured the title with a gap of four hundredths.
In the exclusive sport.de interview, she takes us with her on her way to the title, talks about her preparation this year and reveals what she wants to do with the prize money. She also tells us which ninjas she particularly likes to see on the course.
Andrea, first things first: You are Last Woman Standing 2022! Congratulations! How does that feel?
Andrea Messner: Thanks very much! To be honest, I still can’t really believe it.
Before this season you were eliminated in the preliminary rounds. Did you have any inkling that this year could go far?
Before my first start at Ninja Warrior Germany, I had never been in a ninja hall, so I got to know the obstacles during the course. Back then I didn’t have the training opportunities that I have today. This year I knew I was better prepared. I now work at “Overground” in Basel, which helped me. I thought to myself that with the experience I could buzz over the obstacles or get relatively far.
In the preliminary round you fell into the water on your swing arm (pendulum). How was the run from your point of view?
When I fell into the water, I never thought that I would be able to progress. But it went great up to the punching bag and I felt comfortable in every obstacle. And then all of a sudden I was in the water. My feet were a few inches too low. That happens and I wasn’t very disappointed because I made the sled – that was my goal. Still, I would have liked to have shown more.
Did you prepare differently this year than in previous years?
I would have liked to have prepared even better, but I’ve definitely prepared better than in recent years. In “Overground” I was able to train on real obstacles for the first time. I was in London for the Chase Tag World Championships two weeks before the show, so that was more of a time for training. But that also brought something for Ninja – it’s just a very good endurance training. I was the only woman at the entire World Cup and finished twelfth with my team.
Have you noticed an improvement in your performance in certain areas over the past year?
I’ve just become more consistent. Now I just feel safer in the obstacles because I know what the movements feel like.
When in the semi-finals did you think for the first time that it could be enough for the title?
To be honest, I was really keen on the course in the semifinals. When I was in the fireplace, all I could think about was the buzzer. I felt like I was in the fireplace for an eternity and then I couldn’t find the buzzer upstairs. Jan and Buschi then said that I had the best time among women, but it took me a long time to realize that. I didn’t expect to be up front at all. I was actually more concerned with myself and finally wanted to go to the buzzer.
As I waited for the other athletes to run, I began to think, “What if?”. Because Arleen was still there, I still didn’t really expect it, but then at some point I toyed with the idea.
Do you keep track of your time while on the course?
It could be, but I don’t know. I never checked the time. I tend to travel fast and have to take the time to concentrate. I went my own pace and didn’t think about the time for a second, otherwise I would have stepped on the gas in the chimney.
You won the title because you were four hundredths faster than Leonie Huber. Did you talk to her about it afterwards?
It was the closest victory imaginable. We didn’t know each other before, but we talked about it a lot after the show. It was a lot of coincidence and luck that I was four hundredths faster. But I see Leonie very strongly in the next few years. She will stir up the scene. I can well imagine that she will win the title in the future.
After the semifinals it was clear: you secured the title, but missed the final by one place and about three tenths. Did you get angry about it?
So much just happened that day. Of course it would have been cool to go further. But I was also happy that I could let it sink instead of stepping on the gas again.
What are your Ninja Warrior goals for the future? Do you want to defend your title?
I will of course try! But it really takes a lot to win the title and I had luck on my side. Everything just came together. To be honest, I don’t think I’ll be able to do it again, but I want to be up there again: I want to train properly, get through the preliminary round, get through and then be among the really good guys – that’s my goal.
Do you have a ninja role model? Or another sporting role model?
Sean McColl. I already knew him from the climbing scene. I found out that he is involved with Ninja Warrior and through him got to know the ninja scene and the sport. He’s just a cool athlete. For example, I’m a big fan of JB from the way they move around the course [Giovanni Ertl, Anm. d. Red,], Chris Harmat or Benni Grams. You have your very own personal style. It’s just fun to watch them.
Do you already know what you will do with your prize money?
I will definitely invest some in Africa. I have been there several times and set up a playground in a center for children with intellectual disabilities. I also worked and helped there. I’ve always resolved to come back when the money is there. I want to upgrade the center with good material so that it lasts a long time.
The interviewer was Lionard Tampier