Zak Stolz suffered an embarrassing – and painful-looking – wedgie during Wednesday’s TV special, Australian Ninja Warrior: Record Breakers.
Just a day after winning the title of 2021 Australian Ninja Warrior, the 21-year-old broke a record when he climbed to the top of the show’s super salmon ladder.
Zak managed to climb 35 rungs in just 32 seconds, but it didn’t come without a fair amount of pain, with his harness digging into his crotch.
Ouch: Zak Stolz suffered an embarrassing – and painful-looking – wedgie during Wednesday’s TV special, Australian Ninja Warrior: Record Breakers
After making it to the top, Zak suffered a ‘major wedgie’, clutching his crotch and pulling a series of pained faces, as he was lowered back down to the ground.
‘He’s got a major wedgie,’ noted host Ben Fordham, while struggling to contain his laughter at Zak’s discomfort.
He added: ‘But that won’t worry him, because he’s the first Aussie Ninja to ever beat the super salmon ladder. In the process, he set an Australian record.’
Record breaker: Just a day after winning the title of 2021 Australian Ninja Warrior, the 21-year-old broke a record when he climbed to the top of the show’s super salmon ladder
Painful: Zak managed to climb 35 rungs in just 32 seconds, but it didn’t come without a fair amount of pain, with his harness digging into his crotch
Zak was crowned the winner during Tuesday’s nail-biting finale of Australian Ninja Warrior.
He completed a gruelling course that saw most of the other competitors knocked out well before the final round.
Although he never made it to the fabled Mount Midoriyama – a 22-metre rope climb – Zak came the closest out of all the competitors.
‘He’s got a major wedgie,’ noted host Ben Fordham, while struggling to contain his laughter at Zak’s discomfort
Crown jewels: After making it to the top, Zak suffered a ‘major wedgie’, clutching his crotch and pulling a series of pained faces, as he was lowered back down to the ground
The gymnastics coach said he was ‘over the moon’ with his win, but added: ‘Honestly, it hasn’t hit me yet.’
He dedicated his win to his beloved mum, Jo, before proudly showing off his trophy.
Only Charlie Robbins came close to defeating Zak, but slipped during the very first obstacle of the final round.
Taking out the title: Zak was crowned the winner during Tuesday’s nail-biting finale of Australian Ninja Warrior
‘I was feeling pretty decent… It is what it is,’ said the disappointed 22-year-old after his devastating defeat.
Speaking about his win, Zak confessed he was still in shock after taking out this year’s Australian Ninja Warrior title.
‘Winning means so much more than just prize money to me,’ the proud Victorian said in a media statement.
Champion: The 21-year-old completed a gruelling course that saw most of the other competitors knocked out well before the final round
Winner: Although he never made it the fabled Mount Midoriyama – a 22-metre rope climb – Zak came the closest out of all the competitors
‘To be honest, the feeling is yet to sink in fully, but there’s a massive sense of accomplishment that comes with the title that I believe I’ll be able to reflect upon for the rest of my life and look back on whenever times are tough.’
Zak also spoke about his win on Instagram on Tuesday, just minutes after he was crowned the winner on TV.
‘SO THAT JUST HAPPENED…’ he began, sharing a series of photos of himself looking elated after his win.
Runner-up: Only Charlie Robbins came close to defeating Zak, but slipped during the very first obstacle of the final round
‘Starting my ninja journey so many years ago, I’d always dreamed of this moment… now it’s here I genuinely can’t believe it.’
He also paid tribute to runner-up Charlie, calling him ‘a genuinely amazing competitor’.
‘To be so talented and so consistent is something I’ve looked up to for a long time,’ he wrote.
No hard feelings: Zak later paid tribute to runner-up Charlie, calling him ‘a genuinely amazing competitor’ and ‘one of my best mates’
‘More importantly you’re an even better bloke and I’m proud to call you one of my best mates… Congratulations on an amazing season and I can’t wait to see what you do in the future!’
Zak finished his post by hinting that he may even make a return to next year’s season of Australian Ninja Warrior.
‘Only four words remain to be said… BRING ON SEASON 6!!’ he teased.
Making a comeback? Zak hinted that he may even make a return to next year’s season of Australian Ninja Warrior