After failing in three attempts in the last final stage, Philipp Göthert has now made it: The 22-year-old student becomes Last Man Standing in the 8th season of Ninja Warrior Germany and narrowly fails at Mount Midoriyama.
In the exclusive winner’s interview, the climber explains what went better this year and gives an insight into his rollercoaster of emotions on the final evening. He also reveals how carefully he studies each course in advance, when he himself was shaking this season and which obstacle literally gives him a headache.
Philipp, congratulations on the title: How does it feel to be the last man standing?
Philipp Goethert: After Stage III I was pretty freaked out because I finally completed this stage in the fourth year and stood on the mount. I was really happy to be Last Man Standing. But when I got to the mount, a new competition started for me in my head.
What was your first thought after the mount: won or lost?
I was already annoyed, of course I wanted to complete the mount on time – or at least make a good attempt. The fact that I didn’t manage to do that was a defeat for me. I beat everyone else, but not the course.
When you climbed up, did you think it might be close?
Yes, I noticed that I was way too slow. When I warped the first rung of the ladder to heaven, I knew it was over.
In addition to the wobble on one rung, it looked as if you hadn’t made the transition to the rope optimally. Did that play a role?
Yes, I wanted to do a muscle-up and jump straight onto the bar, I had discussed that in advance with Simi [Simon Brunner, Anm.d. Red.] considered. But that didn’t work because of the strap that went across the chest. So I couldn’t push past the bar. I thought this move could save me a second or two. If you want to do the mount in 30 seconds, you have to try something like this, but we hadn’t thought about this harness during training.
Do you think you can complete the mount in time if you don’t make a mistake?
Yes, it can be done, but everything really has to go perfectly and you have to be really fit.
Were you really fit?
Because I can’t do any climbing competitions yet because of my finger injury, I prepared a little more specifically for the show and the mount for the first time this year. But I’m not used to this stress and had no experience with targeted ninja training. That always really flattened me, especially the biceps bases were always closed for several days. As a result, I couldn’t really train for maximum or explosive strength, which ruined the shape a bit. My form wasn’t perfect, otherwise I would have climbed the ladder to heaven faster and more safely.
What role does the previous load play? You had two stages under your belt and Stage I wasn’t that long ago either.
Of course that is added. You get up early in the morning, have two stages, warm up in between and it’s a long day. I still had a bit of muscle soreness from Stage I and the semifinals. I didn’t feel super flat when I was on the mount, but I wasn’t in top shape either. And it’s just part of the challenge that you have to do the two stages and the mount in one day.
In three previous attempts you had narrowly failed to reach the mount three times. What went better this year?
It was a mix of experience and fitness. Compared to season 7, I was simply fitter because last year I had to take a complete break due to my finger injury. I didn’t have the stamina in my forearms, otherwise I probably would have been enough for the mount back then. I would have believed myself capable of doing so in season 6, but I made a mistake on the bars. That one already surprised me. And the first year I didn’t have the right technique on the floating doors.
During the course briefing in Stage III, you seemed very concentrated, especially in front of the plug boxes. I think you were the only one with a notepad. What did you write down?
I always make a precise plan for the course. Of course, there are also straight-forward obstacles where you don’t have to think too much about it beforehand. But with the plug-in boxes, for example, this was particularly important because you have to remember where the holes are that you can’t see in the obstacle. I also made a rough note of the positions of the boxes, independent of the holes, so that I can think about which hand sequence I should use to go through them.
Does your climbing experience play a role in coming up with a plan?
That can be good. When climbing, you also have viewing time before the competition. There it takes six minutes to watch the tour. I also go through the sequences in advance. In comparison, with Ninja you can plan it even more precisely because it is not quite as complex. When climbing you have even more options to execute the moves.
How busy are you with the course in the hours before your run?
After the course briefing, you actually talk to the others about the stage the whole time and talk about your plan or possible difficulties. Of course I sometimes get tips from others, but ultimately I always assess the situation myself and never blind myself to what others say. There are some things I just can’t do the way others can.
Looking at the entire season, in which you got wet prematurely twice: What was the most critical obstacle?
I really don’t like the regular role from Stage II, especially not in a stage with a time limit. I always feel so dizzy afterwards and you still have to keep going. I think people have different feelings about it, but I found it really uncomfortable and ended up feeling dizzy through the rest of the course. I still remembered this a bit in my head even after Stage III.
Were you nervous at any point this season?
In the preliminary round I was a bit tired after the run, so I progressed in twelfth out of 13. That was pretty tight, I still can’t explain it. In Stage I I almost fell into the water at the balance obstacle. But in the final I was in performance mode the whole time.
Do three successful NWG participations bring calm through the experience or do they increase the pressure due to expectations?
I have no pressure at all, it doesn’t really matter to me. But the routine and experience certainly helps.
Doesn’t money stress you out? Have you thought about the difference between 25,000 and 300,000 euros?
Of course I had that in mind, the money is also an additional motivation. But it doesn’t matter on the course itself, I don’t even think about it.
Have you ever asked yourself in a quiet moment what you would do with 300,000 euros?
I haven’t thought about anything specific, maybe I would buy a bus that I can sleep on. But I’m also not the type of person who likes to spend a lot of money. I think I would just put it on and take something whenever I need something.
You are a climber and moved from the Ruhr area to Innsbruck for your sport. What importance does ninja sport have for you now?
Since I got the injury, the importance has definitely changed because I can’t really take part in climbing competitions. For me, Ninja is a cool alternative to still have challenges. I’m really grateful for that. It’s full of fun! But it’s not like I’m training ninja with full focus yet, because I still plan to achieve my climbing goals – when my finger is healed again at some point.
What are your climbing goals once your injury heals?
I would definitely like to take part in international competitions again, ideally in the World Cup or European Cup. Starting regularly and improving is actually my goal.
How do you mentally cope with the fact that the injury has been going on for over two years and you don’t know when it will be back?
It’s just the way it is and I’ve gotten used to it a bit. Of course it’s difficult, but I can cope with it and live with the situation. I’m trying to make the best of it and I can still climb, but not on ledges.
Didn’t the injury affect you this season and especially in the climbing-heavy Stage III?
It didn’t affect me directly on the course. But I couldn’t train so finger-intensively and groin-heavy beforehand. As a result, the strength and endurance were not there. Of course it would have been better without a finger injury, but it still worked.
The interview was conducted by Maike Falkenberg