The wait is over: Ninja Warrior Germany is back! Also in the seventh season, well-known faces and newcomers duel in the course for the overall victory. Already in the first preliminary round show things got hot. sport.de looks back on the thrilling start.
More than 300 athletes compete in the seventh season at Ninja Warrior Germany. The age limit was adjusted this year. In this edition, the ninjas can already compete at the age of 16 (previously 18). In each of the five preliminary round shows, 16 candidates certainly qualify for the semi-finals. In addition, three women advance if there are no women among the top 16.
At the end of each episode, the four fastest ninjas compete in a duel course for 5,000 euros in bonus money. In the last encounter, the direct final ticket beckons.
Who qualified for the semifinals in the first show? What was the biggest surprise and how did the premiere in the duel course go?
The encounters in the duel course
While last year the Power Tower was at the end of each preliminary round, from now on the duel course will decide on the bonus prize money and a fixed place in the final. There are first two semi-finals, in which 5,000 euros in bonus money are at stake. The coveted final ticket is then at stake in the final round.
With Friedrich Krebs, a 16-year-old newbie moved into the limelight in the first duel. In a time of 3:07 minutes, the debutant completed the obstacles with flying colors and was therefore able to measure himself against Marvin Mitterhuber in the duel course.
In the end, Krebs had to admit defeat, but still secured his place in the semi-finals. Mitterhuber himself had the chance to qualify for the final. However, the 29-year-old was ultimately stopped by Jona Schöne.
The surprise of the evening
The 20-year-old was the surprise of the evening with his victory. After all, Schöne started at Ninja Warrior Germany for the first time ever. The man from Meissen already demonstrated his skills in the preliminary round and finished in a time of 2:21 minutes as the third fastest candidate of the day.
“It doesn’t feel real,” said Schöne on the RTL microphone about his debut on Germany’s strongest show.
In the decisive duel course, the newbie confirmed his strong form and put the experienced Mitterhuber in his place. However, both candidates are sure to have the bonus prize money of 5,000 euros.
The seven obstacles in the course
At the beginning of the new season, the ninjas first had to jump over the starting blocks with rings and onto the wall. Then it went from the triple jump with a double wave sled to the floating wedges with a swing arm. Those who managed to get past the ladder to heaven and the steering wheels finally had the choice between the wall and the mega wall.
In the duel course, the jumping kicks were followed by the hand-held Mikado. After that, the ninjas could face the clackers and the springs. Finally, the last reserves of strength had to be mobilized at the fireplace.
In addition to Schöne, who has already secured his final ticket, Leander Carmanns, Julian Lind, Friedrich Krebs and Björn Graul all made it into the semi-finals as finishers.
In addition, Melanie Schmitt, Oliver Edelmann, Joel Mattli, David Schöne, Kai Jurick, Daniel Schmidt, Nico Hädicke, Thies Rottwinkel, Jan Finke, Leon Wismann as well as Leonie Huber, Stefanie Edelmann and Leonie Haas qualified for the next round.