The seventh season of Ninja Warrior Germany is in full swing. This year, well-known faces and newcomers will once again duel in the course for overall victory. sport.de looks back on the third preliminary round show.
More than 300 participants 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 was able to qualify for the semi-finals in the third show? Who surprised and how did the encounters 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, in the seventh season the duel course decides on the bonus prize money and a fixed place in the grand 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 last round.
In the preliminary round course, Samuel Dufner was able to set the best time of 2.47.25 minutes. In the duel with Jescher Heidl, however, the 32-year-old had to admit defeat. As so often, the springs made the preliminary decision.
In the final of the day, Heidl then had to face Benedikt Sigmund. After a head-to-head race was indicated at the beginning, Sigmund clearly prevailed in the end.
“Last year I got on the nose with a broken foot, now I’ve fought back and was finally able to reward myself for it,” said the finalist on the RTL microphone. Sigmund had to cancel his participation in the last regular NWG relay at short notice because of a foot injury.
Her friend Arleen Schüßler also made it one lap further as a finisher (3.56.05).
Newbies continue to impress, veterans out
After several newbies were able to assert themselves in the last few weeks, Silas Jung also made it into the next round in the third preliminary round. With a time of 3.40.19 minutes, the 17-year-old finished in a strong sixth place.
While Jung had reason to be happy, Gary Hines, one of the most experienced ninjas, got it. So the former handball professional went swimming at the steering wheels. As 17th, Hines narrowly missed the semi-finals.
The last ticket for the next round was secured by Milan Schirowski, who also made it to the steering wheels in 16th place, but needed less time than Hines to do so.
The Sperlich family made an exclamation mark on Friday evening, with five family members making progress.
The obstacles in the course
In the second show, the ninjas had to jump over the starting blocks with a ring 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.
Who is in the semifinals?
In addition to Sigmund, who already has his final ticket secured, Samuel Dufner, Alexander Hille, Jescher Heidl, Till von Bothmer, Silas Jung, Arleen Schüßler, Siegfried Sperlich, Rene Sperlich, Roy Sperlich and Lucas Schütte all made it into the semifinals as finishers.
In addition, Stefan Angermeier, Marian Lotze, Joachim Sperlich, Anthony Sperlich, Milan Schirowski, Ada Theilken and Andrea Meßner qualified for the next round.