Gabriel Iftene is a self-professed ‘born Samurai’ who believed he could take on the Australian Ninja Warrior obstacle course with ease.
But despite the 22-year-old’s cockiness, he had a horror run when he stumbled and fell into the water at the very first obstacle, lasting just four seconds.
Early in show, Gabriel, dressed in futuristic Samurai gear complete with flaming swords and ghostly contact lenses, claimed he was a ‘born ninja’.
Cocky: Gabriel Iftene is a self-professed ‘born Samurai’ who believed he could take the Australian Ninja Warrior obstacle course with ease
The Victorian native said: ‘I resonate strongly with the way of the ninja and samurai. More importantly, I resonate strongly with being the way of the warrior.’
He added: ‘So, I’ve decided to become one in real life.’
The show’s hosts seemed excited for the 173 cm tall, 73 kg boxer’s run, saying there was ‘a lot of buzz’ about him on the show.
A stumble early on led to another, and in under five seconds he was in the water.
The Victorian native said: ‘I resonate strongly with the way of the ninja and samurai. More importantly, I resonate strongly with being the way of the warrior’
Out! A stumble early on led to another, and in under five seconds he was in the water
Oh dear: His trainer, Paul Lyons, standing by, Gabriel hid his face behind his hands, looking quite bashful
Rebecca Maddern and Ben Fordham stood aghast, their mouths hanging open at the pure shock of the defeat.
‘I can’t believe just what happened. He was rated by our experts as a top competitor,’ Ben said.
With his trainer, Paul Lyons, standing by, Gabriel hid his face behind his hands and looked quite bashful.
Other job: The Victorian works as a topless waiter according to his Instagram account
Beat it: Adding insult to injury, Gabriel’s trainer, 48-year-old personal trainer and two-time Taekwondo Olympian, Paul Lyons (left) got further into the course than his student did
The Victorian, who works as a topless waiter according to his Instagram account, appeared mortified but laughed it off.
Adding insult to injury, Gabriel’s trainer, 48-year-old personal trainer and two-time Taekwondo Olympian, Paul Lyons got further into the course than his student did.
Paul had earlier said of his pupil: ‘When he started training, “Ahhh, I understand now what he actually meant, okay, “He’s a warrior.” He was a born natural warrior’.
Paul had earlier said of his pupil: ‘W hen he started training, “Ahhh, I understand now what he actually meant, okay, “He’s a warrior.” He was a born natural warrior’