Milan Schirowski has already made several appearances on Ninja Warrior Germany – including with his wife Claudia. On October 27th (8:15 p.m., on RTL, RTL+ and in the sport.de live ticker) the veteran will take to the course again.
Since the Ladder to Heaven is one of his favorite obstacles, it quickly becomes clear where Milan Schirowski wants to go in his preliminary round: the Endless Ladder to Heaven is his declared goal! In exclusive sport.de– Interview he also explains the background story of his colorful leggings and tells how his life changed with the birth of his daughter Linda.
Milan, first of all welcome back to the new season. You have been part of Ninja Warrior Germany for several years. In season 7 you made it to the finale. Do you want to top the result again this year?
Milan Zhirovsky: Yes, yes. My main goal is of course to get back to the final. Once there, I would definitely be happy about moving into Stage II or even Stage III.
Last year you missed training because of your work and a finger injury. But you announced on social media that you are now fitter than ever. How do you actually feel?
In general, it has remained the case that with my full-time job I can no longer train as regularly as before. As a student I simply had more free time. But I still feel fit. I still have my finger injury, although it’s not actually a real injury. It’s an inflamed finger that I especially notice when I train a lot. Then the pain gets progressively worse and the finger also becomes thick. But I have found a good middle ground as to how I can continue climbing and also train ninja.
How did the inflammation in your finger come about? Have you been training too much?
That could be a good thing, but actually I don’t know for sure. Inflammation always comes on gradually and I noticed it for the first time while climbing. So I assume it was a mix of too much climbing and too much ninja training in parallel. It took some time before I knew exactly what it was. At first the suspicion was that there was a capsular injury.
As a result, I took two breaks from training for two months, but unfortunately without success. That’s why I knew it wasn’t just an injury. The inflammation has now become chronic.
You carry something like that around with you for a really long time. Are there exercises that you can no longer incorporate into your training?
I can’t build good finger strength. I just can’t do the real groin training like before anymore. Finger strength used to be my strength. Now it’s still there thanks to climbing, but I’m certainly not going to be as strong as an Alexander worm again. In return, I can concentrate more on the balance obstacles and also build up my general fitness well.
This year, the four fastest candidates will compete on the endless ladder to heaven, which replaces the duel course. The ladder to heaven is one of your favorite obstacles. Do you have a goal to compete there?
Yes that’s it! When I go to the course, I tend to be more of a candidate who also goes against time. I’m definitely keen to get into the top four this year, especially I’m really keen on the Endless Ladder to Heaven. You also get a little extra money for it.
How do you prepare for the show?
Basically, I don’t change anything major right before the show. What I pay attention to is that I drink a little less alcohol and consume less sugar. I’m incredibly undisciplined when it comes to eating and I really enjoy eating sweets. Shortly before the show I’m a little more disciplined. Otherwise everything stays the same as always.
Do you train alone or do you have regular training partners?
I train Ninja with a training group. There are always new people coming in and others leaving. So there are no real regular training partners there. Among others, Alexander Frisch and David Eilenstein are also at the start. Lars Meier is also part of it, being there for the first time this season, as is Sandra Stock. Shortly before the show, the training takes place in such a way that you put together a course for which you really only have one attempt.
You just said that Lars Meier and Sandra Stock are taking part in Ninja Warrior for the first time. Do you think you inspired or motivated both of them to apply for the show?
Yes, definitely. We motivate each other and we veterans certainly encouraged her to apply for the show.
You recently became a father. How much has your everyday life changed for you as a result?
Of course, I’m really happy about my little daughter Linda. She has made our everyday life extremely sweet. Every day is somehow great and you spend a lot of time with your family. In addition, I am currently on parental leave. This means I have enough time for myself and for sport. When I have to go back to work in a few weeks, things will definitely be different.
Ninja sport is also a sport that even small children can do. When she’s a little older, she’ll probably just come into the hall and let off steam on the trampoline or similar equipment. You can already see it in all the ninja teens. They’ve been doing ninja since they were kids and now they’re just unbelievably good.
Your wife Claudia was already at the start of Ninja Warrior with you. Were you able to infect them with your enthusiasm?
Before Claudia met me, she wasn’t that into sports. She now goes inline skating with me and also bouldering. At some point I took her with me to the ninja. But she’s just not the extroverted competitive type. But her self-confidence developed over time and I didn’t have to persuade her much anymore. She also did well in her first Ninja Warrior participation in season six and failed on the balance obstacle. That’s just not her strength.
Were you able to give her any special tips for the show?
My tip is always courage, courage and even more courage!
Tell us the background story about your pants! We know you in tight, sometimes unusual leggings, while some other ninja athletes prefer loose pants or jeans. How did you come up with your outfit?
Before Ninja Warrior, I was absolutely not a leggings person. I also haven’t owned a pair of leggings. In fact, it’s because I ended up in the “leggings crew” at Team Ninja Warrior and then had to get leggings.
Somehow I found them really comfortable and it was fun to jump around the course in colorful pants. You don’t just have to dress in black and white. Last year I had this funny lemur on it. This year my leggings are red and should show that I am passionate about the ninja sport. I think it’s nice to be colorful and leggings have been my trademark ever since!
One of your favorite athletes is the German sport and competition climber Jan Hojer, who was even part of the first NWG season. If you could choose one strength of his, what would it be?
During his active time, Jan Hojer shone with his maximum strength. To warm up, he did ten one-arm pull-ups. I would like to be able to do that too. I have to work extremely hard to even do a one-armed pull-up. I also really enjoy training for maximum strength; I find that much more fun than building endurance.
I’ve also been able to meet Jan Hojer in person a few times. He’s a super relaxed person – like all the climbers I know. Alex Wurm and Moritz and Philipp Hans are also simply relaxed people. The climbers usually just have this deep relaxation about them.
The interview was conducted by Natalie Salewski.