At the end of a lackluster season, the second part of the final of the 7th edition of “Ninja Warrior” was full of emotions this Saturday evening on TF 1. First with tears: those of Matthias Noirel, endearing candidate that we see for the third consecutive year, but who failed to qualify for the second course of the final by falling prematurely in his duel against Mathis Owhadi, emblematic figure of the American version of the game.
It must be said that faced with the mechanics of “Ninja Warrior”, which sees competitors returning year after year, it vibrates much more easily for the old than the newcomers. Even if some, like Michel Lajic or Iliann Cherif, caused such a sensation for their first participation last year that they quickly won over the public. In short, with each passage of one of the darlings of the show, the heart beats faster than for the others.
What a disappointment to see Jérémy Pasquereau fall at the end of the Titans Wall, the first obstacle of the third course of the final. The management controller in a bank and father of two little boys signs his best personal performance in six participations, but we would have loved to see him go further.
Surprise on the side of Jean Tezenas du Montcel, winner of the 100,000 euros in season 4 and who had measured himself against the Heroes’ Tower – the final rope to climb – during the past three seasons. This time, he fell on the Ultime envol, the last obstacle of the third course of the final, as in season 3.
Competition in the blood
Others, on the other hand, managed to overcome their demons. Like Clément Dumais, qualified for all the finals since the creation of “Ninja Warrior” in France. For the first time, he completed all stages, earning the right to face the Tower of Heroes. Same for Charles Poujade, who, for his fourth final, finally managed to reach the foot of the 23 m high rope to climb in less than 25′16 seconds in order to win the 100,000 euros.
This time to beat is that of Clément Gravier, last year’s winner. This year again, the young man of 22 years overcame all the obstacles before facing the ultimate test. For the first time, his big brother, Antoine, was also able to climb the famous rope! It was one of the most beautiful moments of this evening when this one, the last candidate to measure up to the second and third courses, came to the end. Two brothers facing the Tower of Heroes is a great first in the history of the show.
There were therefore five – a record – facing this ultimate test: Charles Poujade, Clément Gravier, Clément Dumais, Iliann Cherif and Antoine Gravier. And it was the first who set the best time, 27′67 seconds. A fine performance, but insufficient to pocket the 100,000 euros. No winner therefore, this year, even if Charles Poujade wins 10,000 euros as the best candidate, just like Maurane Jelic, best woman, who fell at the start of the third course of the final.
While the qualifying phases seemed too difficult to us, with few candidates reaching the end buzzer, this final, even without a winner, kept all its promises. It should be noted all the same that of the last five in the running, only two have never fallen into the water over all the courses of the season: Charles Poujade and Clément Gravier. In the end, they are also the two best. Looking forward to next season, to find them!