Watching this show when I was a kid was an absolute event. I would gather around the Tv with my two older brothers to marvel at this epic obstacle course.
We would often argue about which one of us would be the most successful on it and how far we could realistically go. We would debate if any of us had the grip strength to traverse the cliff hanger; the reach to climb the warped wall; or even the speed and endurance to clear the first stage at all.
We were very sporty, athletic kids with hundreds of sporting achievements shared amongst the 3 of us, but even as children we knew that conquering the course would be impossible for any of us. These were highly committed, elite athletes dedicating their whole lives in some instances to this course.
As we grew older I personally began to admire the athleticism and drive of certain individuals that regularly competed. For a show on SBS 2 that only aired twice a week its remarkable that I so looked forward to seeing the likes of Makoto Nagano, Mr Ninja Warrior or the Fireman compete - Which made it all the more tragic when the fiercest competitors would get dunked into the muddy waters below.
I'll never forget the pre-run hype videos before each run: like the Fisherman climbing the flagpole of his boat or doing crunches off the side.
I'll never forget the energy in our own living room as we anxiously awaited our favourites about to run each stage.
I'll never forget the despair when Makoto was just inches from total victory, or the joy when he finally reached the summit.
But mostly I'll never forget spending time with my brothers.
I don't know when we stopped watching? I guess we just got older, but I'll always fondly remember those moments.
I recently endeavoured to watch the show again from the beginning for a little fun nostalgia trip with my partner. She was initially hesitant but I assured her it was all good fun.
Little did I know I would feel all that joy from my childhood once again, seeing my partner go through the same emotions: having favourites come and go; seeing certain obstacles and cowering with fear; or yelping with happiness when someone made it to the 4th stage.
I wondered what it was that made this simple obstacle course gameshow speak to not only myself and my brothers in our childhood, but also myself and my partner in adulthood, and I think the secret is the people, the regulars, the All Stars - the people that came together each tournament to root for eachother to reach the top. That's what separates this show from many others, the comradery and shared goal of finishing.
This isn't a competition but a shared dream and everyone there wants to just see someone make it. So many working class people 'competing' for the sheer joy of it. Because it certainly wasn't the measly prize money that kept the likes of Mr Ninja Warrior coming back.
The personal stories of sacrifice and willpower touched me to my core and honestly it sounds stupid but many of the people in this show are heroes to me. True everyday heroes doing their absolute best.
I'm glad I watched this show as a kid, and I'm glad I scoured the internet to watch it once more because I think it taught me many valuable lessons on what it takes to endeavour.
Yeah I guess it is just an obstacle course, but it really is something more to me. This show and the contestants in it are an inspiration - a true reflection of the bonds of friendship and a mark of tenacity, strength and willpower of the human spirit.
We would often argue about which one of us would be the most successful on it and how far we could realistically go. We would debate if any of us had the grip strength to traverse the cliff hanger; the reach to climb the warped wall; or even the speed and endurance to clear the first stage at all.
We were very sporty, athletic kids with hundreds of sporting achievements shared amongst the 3 of us, but even as children we knew that conquering the course would be impossible for any of us. These were highly committed, elite athletes dedicating their whole lives in some instances to this course.
As we grew older I personally began to admire the athleticism and drive of certain individuals that regularly competed. For a show on SBS 2 that only aired twice a week its remarkable that I so looked forward to seeing the likes of Makoto Nagano, Mr Ninja Warrior or the Fireman compete - Which made it all the more tragic when the fiercest competitors would get dunked into the muddy waters below.
I'll never forget the pre-run hype videos before each run: like the Fisherman climbing the flagpole of his boat or doing crunches off the side.
I'll never forget the energy in our own living room as we anxiously awaited our favourites about to run each stage.
I'll never forget the despair when Makoto was just inches from total victory, or the joy when he finally reached the summit.
But mostly I'll never forget spending time with my brothers.
I don't know when we stopped watching? I guess we just got older, but I'll always fondly remember those moments.
I recently endeavoured to watch the show again from the beginning for a little fun nostalgia trip with my partner. She was initially hesitant but I assured her it was all good fun.
Little did I know I would feel all that joy from my childhood once again, seeing my partner go through the same emotions: having favourites come and go; seeing certain obstacles and cowering with fear; or yelping with happiness when someone made it to the 4th stage.
I wondered what it was that made this simple obstacle course gameshow speak to not only myself and my brothers in our childhood, but also myself and my partner in adulthood, and I think the secret is the people, the regulars, the All Stars - the people that came together each tournament to root for eachother to reach the top. That's what separates this show from many others, the comradery and shared goal of finishing.
This isn't a competition but a shared dream and everyone there wants to just see someone make it. So many working class people 'competing' for the sheer joy of it. Because it certainly wasn't the measly prize money that kept the likes of Mr Ninja Warrior coming back.
The personal stories of sacrifice and willpower touched me to my core and honestly it sounds stupid but many of the people in this show are heroes to me. True everyday heroes doing their absolute best.
I'm glad I watched this show as a kid, and I'm glad I scoured the internet to watch it once more because I think it taught me many valuable lessons on what it takes to endeavour.
Yeah I guess it is just an obstacle course, but it really is something more to me. This show and the contestants in it are an inspiration - a true reflection of the bonds of friendship and a mark of tenacity, strength and willpower of the human spirit.