2019 Ninja Warrior winner is not who you expected

A killer core, buff body and super strength are just what you need for Ninja Warrior victory, but this year’s winner may have surprised some.

Yes, he has all of those winning qualities, but at 68kg, Charlie Robbins proved you don’t have to be a bronzed adonis to take out the crown, as he nailed the course in his golfing shorts, cap and specs.

This year, the Channel Nine series crowned a winner based on whoever made it the furthest fastest, and the $100,000 was in 20-year-old Charlie’s sights when he went the greatest distance in the shortest amount of time on the Mount Midoriyama course.

Up against him were Bryson Klein, Josh O’Sullivan and Daniel Mason, all of whom also made it to the final stage, though not with the speed Charlie had.

Following backlash in previous seasons of ‘anti-climatic’ finales where nobody won, it was decided this year that $300,000 would be awarded if someone finished the course, and if no one did, the $100,000 would be pocketed by whoever went the furthest fastest.

Ninja journey

Self-confessed ‘awkward’ dater Charlie, first auditioned for the series in his golfing outfit, and after initially making it through, decided to stick with the quirky attire.

Footage shown on the show reveals he’d often train with his 71-year-old grandfather and elderly friends, but he admitted the preparation for the competition was actually more intense than that.

“I have done gymnastics since I was [young] and training in a ninja gym for a couple of years,” he said on the Today show on Tuesday morning following his victory.

“That's helped mentally and also being by myself.”

What to do with the cash

With the $100k prize money, Charlie’s already got his plans sorted out.

“I'm heading to Europe on Saturday,” he revealed to Deb Knight and Georgie Gardner.

But there’s no rest for the wicked.

“I have to fly back for a comp in Queensland which is a fun one, a team one. So, I will have to try to keep the training up over there. See how we go.”

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