HALLS Head resident Zed Colback’s love for climbing up walls has landed him a spot in the semi-finals on Channel Nine’s Australian Ninja Warrior.
The 25-year-old geared up for the nation’s toughest obstacle course on Sunday night and is one step closer to the ultimate prize of $200,000.
The Mandurah Rock Climbing manager said the challenging stint was not what he expected.
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READ NOW“It was ridiculously fun, the crowd was awesome and the obstacle course was a lot of pressure but getting through it was a good feeling”.
His brother-in-law ‘Tradie Ninja’ Sam Goodall, who was a finalist in last year’s grand final, inspired him to take on the challenge.
“My sister wouldn’t stop nagging me to go for it so I applied but didn’t expect to get accepted and through the heats,” he said.
He said he was no gym junkie and had gained his strength and pace through climbing.
“I just climb,” he said,
“I first climbed to the top of a rock when I lived in Albany and I felt I had to do this – I was made to do this.”
Colback said he would train at Mandurah Rock climbing and before and after work at home on his self-built 2.5m climbing wall.
“I do climbing-based training like body weight stuff, finger strength, movement, coordination, balance,” he said,
“All that thrown in the mix with the obstacle course – it went really well to my surprise,” he said.
Although he trains indoors, Colback said he loved climbing in the great outdoors.
“I’ve climbed in Thailand and I’ve recently come back from a climbing trip up north in Kalbarri,” he said
“I love the outdoor scene, the challenge, the adventure and the effort of climbing outdoors.
Colback will next appear on Australian Ninja Warrior on July 29.