Ninja Warrior fans slam 'stupid rule' that disqualified contestant
Fans have called out a “stupid” Ninja Warrior rule which saw a mum disqualified over a rogue shoe.
Aqua aerobics instructor Trudie Horskins was ready and raring to go on Sunday night’s episode of Ninja Warrior - the first round of the semi finals.
Ben Fordham told viewers the 39-year-old from Inverloch, Victoria, was a “genuine chance of a top 10 finish”.
But while she had no issues with the first obstacle, which she blitzed in three seconds, she - or rather, her shoe - came unstuck on the ‘Rolling Log’.
The obstacle sees contestants wrap their arms and legs around a ‘log’ which then spins down a ramp getting faster and faster.
The force of the spin saw Trudie’s leg come unstuck, and as it hit the safety mat, her shoe was pulled clean off and landed in the water.
She was keen to continue without the shoe, but the hosts and flashing red lights gave her the bad news - she was disqualified
“It just seems so unfair, but the international Ninja rules are really clear about this,” sighed host Rebecca Maddern.
“I need to stress for people watching at home that we’ve witnessed the briefings where they’re told that if anything, even a hairclip, falls off you and goes into that water, you’re disqualified,” Ben Fordham added.
“It would be unfair to the other Ninjas if she was allowed to continue against the rules.
But the mum was understandably shattered.
“I wanted this so bad. I had this course wrapped up, I was so focused. Far out, to finish like that, with a shoe?” she said to Freddie Flintoff after her run ended.
Her husband Ben and children Billy and Sam were cheering her on from the sidelines, as well as members of the aqua aerobics team she teaches — the ‘Aquaducks’ - and all were left shocked by the ruling.
And fans took to Twitter to voice their disappointment at the result all because of a ‘stupid rule’.
“Her foot didn’t touch the water! Totally unfair,” one fan wrote.
Who cares if her shoe came off, what a stupid rule #NinjaWarriorAU
— Andrew (@andrew_432) July 21, 2019
Others however defended the show, stating it was clearly part of the rules.
Got a story tip or just want to get in touch? Email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com
Want more lifestyle and celebrity news? Follow Yahoo Lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Or sign up to our daily newsletter here.