Scratch golfer Charlie Robbins, 21, has hit a $100,000 payday after being the furthest fastest competitor in the Australian Ninja Warrior Season 3 Grand Final tonight on Nine.
Robbins was furthest on the course in the fastest time in the season’s epic two-part Grand Final. He said: “It feels like a dream. It was a really strange feeling to win, and might take a while to sink in.”
Coined the “best-dressed” Ninja by sideline commentator Freddie Flintoff, Robbins appeared to be an unlikely winner, competing in his golfing attire and glasses. But from the moment he took to the course he was the one to watch.
A “scratch golfer” (zero handicap) who won the club championship at Portsea Golf Club in 2018, Robbins is a sports fanatic, having played local footy and practised as a gymnast since he was three.
Grandfather Taffy is his caddie, and he was a constant support for Robbins on the Ninja Warrior sideline, along with mum Bronwyn, dad Bradley and grandmother Rachel.
For the first time in Australian Ninja Warrior history we saw competitors get through to Stage 3 of the Grand Final, including returning heroes Dan Mason, Bryson Klein, Josh O’Sullivan and Rob Patterson, as well as first-time Ninja Robbins.
The favourite, Ashlin “Flashlin” Herbert, was sensationally disqualified in Stage 2 after falling on the salmon ladder.
Robbins, Klein, Mason and O’Sullivan all failed on the Floating Doors, just two obstacles away from Mt Midoriyama. Following international rules, it came down to time, and as the fastest competitor Robbins was declared the winner.
Mt Midoriyama remains unconquered and the $300,000 prizemoney for climbing it remains unclaimed. But Charlie has his sights set on total victory, saying: “Hopefully next season I’ll get a chance to climb that rope.”
And what is Charlie’s biggest takeaway from his Australian Ninja Warrior triumph? “Ninja has really helped my golf,” he declared. “It’s given me a new confidence and made me realise that I am in fact capable of winning.”
