He dreams of following in the footsteps of Jean Tézenas du Montel, the only one to have won so far ninja warrior in France. For his second participation in the TF1 show, Mathias Noirel has again managed to reach the last stage of the competition. With the famous “tower of heroes”, to climb in less than 40 seconds to pocket the 100,000 euros, in your sights.
The 23-year-old climbing teacher, resident of Cagnes-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes) was the fastest in his qualifications on the January 14 show, with at least 20 seconds ahead of his competitors. In the semi-final, things got complicated but the Cagnois had obtained his ticket for the final, which the first channel will broadcast this Friday evening at 9:10 p.m. and which the young physical trainer will relive with his family.
Last year, you finished third by failing the “bungee jump”. How did you prepare to try to do better?
I had lacked a little experience on this kind of obstacles. With my climbing training, I am helped during times of effort on the arms but I had to improve in coordination. So, I trained a lot in Ninja Warrior gyms, especially in Villeurbanne. [à côté de Lyon].
Did you see the difference?
The first year seemed to me much harder physically. I was also less strong in terms of speed.
And if it doesn’t work this year, are you ready to start over?
I’m ready to come back every year [rires]. Like Jean Tézenas du Moncel who is in his sixth final. I’ve been watching the American show for a long time [elle existe depuis treize saisons outre-Atlantique] and in France from the start. I always wanted to do it. I was waiting to be physically ready to start. And I love. In addition to the competition, I also met great people there.
You also participate in championships…
Yes, there are Ninja competitions in several countries. I did the French championships and I will know next week if I am selected among the five best who will represent France at the world championships which will be organized in North Carolina, in the United States.
Has the Ninja Warrior experience opened other doors for you?
I am in contact with Netflix for a series project in which I could have a role related to my profession. But it has not yet materialized. I would also very much like to participate in Koh-Lanta. But so far, the casters haven’t chosen me. I make a call [rires].