Benjamin Millar
Fraser Rise builder Daniel Tolli has set his sights on tackling one of his hardest ever challenges – conquering Mount Midoriyama.
Mr Tolli is one of the hopefuls tackling the all-new ‘Australian Ninja Warrior’ course when it returns to screens this Sunday for the first time in 2021.
While the challenge will pit Mr Tolli directly against other competitors, he also faces a race against time due to a hand condition called palmar fibromatosis which gradually causes fingers to become deformed.
“I have always been involved in competitive sport, coming from an elite gymnastics background,” he said.
“I haven’t stopped training and I feel Ninja Warrior has the ability to showcase my ability and test myself with my age and a physical disability I have in my hands.”
Mr Tolli said he was drawn to take part in Australian Ninja Warrior as he wanted to see if he could still match it with the best athletes in Australia and show people that it’s possible to get the best out of yourself with hard work and a positive mindset.
“The physical side to compete in this sport is very challenging, as you’re constantly adjusting your body movements, balance and strength endurance,” he said.
“But I feel the mental side of this sport is where it can make or break anyone. Ninja is very unpredictable – you can have a great day one day and if your mind is slightly off the next it’s very easy to fail.
“I guess this is where it can draw comparisons to our everyday life. But the goal for me is to never give up in doing what I love.”
This year’s course includes 26 obstacles never seen before, pushing the Ninjas into uncharted levels of punishing endurance.
Billed as the toughest course ever designed, the Ninjas will be challenged in new and unexpected ways.
New obstacles include the forearm-destroying Dragon Back and lung-busting Underwater Escape.
Mr Tolli will be joined by mums and dads, tradies and farmers, students and business owners from all over Australia in putting their bodies on the line to see if they have what it takes to conquer Mount Midoriyama and win the title of Australian Ninja Warrior 2021.
Australian Ninja Warrior returns on Channel 9 at 7pm Sunday, June 20.
