Zak Stolz (ザック・ストルツ) is an Australian gymnastics coach and a former timberland worker, who participated in the regular Australian Ninja Warrior Seasons 3-6 and in Ninja Warrior Germany: Four Nations Special 3, as the team captain of the Team Australia.
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
Australian Ninja Warrior 3[]
He first competed as a rookie in Heat 1 where he got through the tough obstacles of that round (Tuning Forks and Swing Surfer) making it to the Mega Wall but became the first of the season to fail it but moved onto the Semifinals in sixth place.
In the first round of the semifinals, he got through more tough obstacles and moved onto Stage One after finishing the course in 3rd place.
His run on Stage One was digested (but was shown on 9Now) that he was able to conquer it. Zak struggled on the Rope Jungle but got through it and he would be low on time by the time he reached the Cat Grab and would slip off the Third Wall, falling into the water, ending his promising rookie season.
Australian Ninja Warrior 4[]
In his reappearance in the next season during Heat 1 and got through the tough obstacle: (Doorknob Drop) on his way to the buzzer and got the third fastest time.
In the Semifinals round, he got through the Diving Boards and Slingshot on his way to the buzzer getting the fastest time of the night going to the Power Tower against Jordan Papandrea where Zak beat him and won the second chance advantage for Stages One or Two (similar to the Safety Pass).
Zak finished Stage One with the fastest time and the second fastest time on Stage Two. But on Stage Three, after seeing his friend, Matthew Bowles fail the Flying Bar, he became the second to conquer it and Stage Three at the same time becoming the second competitor in Australian Ninja Warrior history to complete Stage Three and advance to Stage Four. Zak then was the first to attempt Stage Four and became the first to achieve Total Victory but completed it slower than the others so he was the third best of the season.
Australian Ninja Warrior 5[]
He returned for his fifth season in Heat 3 where Zak at Split Decision went with new obstacles and conquered them hitting the buzzer this time landing in 2nd place. On the Power Tower, he went against a ninja he faced on Stage Four last season, Charlie Robbins and Charlie beat him again.
Zak returned in the first round of the Semifinals where he got through a new tough obstacle, Dragonback that knocked out a lot of ninjas on his way to the buzzer with the fastest time once again going back to the Power Tower where he beat Rob Patterson getting the Second Chance Advantage once again.
On Stage One, he got through the course once again with the second fastest time of the night. He originally failed the I-Beam Gap of Stage Two, but since he already earned the second-chance advantage during the first round of the semifinals, he would have a second attempt at that stage where this time he conquered Stage Two going back to Stage Three where he was joined by Charlie Robbins. On Stage Three, he had to get through the first obstacle which he did to become the Last Ninja Standing but failed the dismount of Doorknob Drop ending another great season.
Australian Ninja Warrior 6[]
Zak returned in Heat 4 to getting through tough obstacles, Anaconda and Ring Chaser to hit the buzzer landing in first place. On the Power Pool, he beat both of his opponents to get the advantage pass again.
He got to choose his own opponent in the head-to-head Semifinals (thanks to his advantage) choosing Steven Manassah which he easily won. Zak then made it to the ninth obstacle Dragonback (which he had conquered last time) failing the round but moved on in 9th place.
On Stage One, he competed against Kobe Teede where he completed the first six obstacles with 3:37 left then Stage One with 31 seconds left. On Stage Two, he made it through once again with 49 seconds left with the fastest time. Zak made it to the Dungeon before failing becoming the final Last Ninja Standing on Australian Ninja Warrior and the first (and only one) to do so twice.
Ninja Warrior Germany: Four Nations Special[]
He first competed on Stage Two in the third round having limited problems with the course and finished with the second fastest time getting 2 points for Team Australia. Zak then competed on Stage Three in the final heat but shockingly failed Up for Grabs where it was digested but he shockingly failed the transition to the first cradle and Team Australia was eliminated at the end of Stage Three.
SASUKE World Cup 1[]
Two years after the cancellation of Australian Ninja Warrior 6, Zak made his return in the first ever SASUKE World Cup and competed alongside Olivia Vivian, Ashlin Herbert, Saxon Johnstone and Daniel Mason. Zak competed in the final heat of the First Stage where in a digested performance was able to finish the course with the fastest time in his heat, earning 70 points for his team. His clear resulted in Team Australia being the only team to have all five of their members clear the First Stage. Even with this feat, his team ultimately finished 2nd at the end of the First Stage behind Team Japan Red, but still advanced to the 2nd Stage. Despite not chosen to compete on the 2nd Stage, Team Australia were able to advance to the Third Stage where Zak was the first runner of the stage and he made it to the Cliff Dimension on the first transition before falling earning 80 points for his team. However, at the end of the 3rd Stage, their grand total was 280 points, which was tied with Team Japan Blue, and that wasn't enough to qualify for the Final Stage. as Team USA had 320 points, while Team Japan Red had 300, resulting in Team Australia's elimination from the competition.
Trivia[]
- First (and only) competitor to become the Last Ninja Standing in consecutive seasons of Australian Ninja Warrior.
- Fifth competitor globally (outside of SASUKE) to achieve this feat.
Australian Ninja Warrior Results[]
| AuNW | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Failed Cat Grab (Second Stage) | 6th best of the season. |
| 4 | Total Victory (00.20 seconds left) |
First competitor to achieve Total Victory in a regular season of Australian Ninja Warrior. Completed the Final Stage slower than both Charlie Robbins and Ben Polson. 3rd best of the season. |
| 5 | Failed Doorknob Drop (Third Stage) | He originally failed the I-Beam Gap of the Second Stage, but since he already earned the second-chance advantage during the Semi-finals 1, he would have a second attempt at that stage. Last Ninja Standing. |
| 6 | Failed The Dungeon (Third Stage) | First competitor to become the Last Ninja Standing in consecutive seasons of Australian Ninja Warrior. Fifth competitor globally (outside of SASUKE) to achieve this feat. Last Ninja Standing. |
SASUKE Results[]
SASUKE World Cup[]
| Competition | Stage | Heat | Run | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | First Stage | 5 | 2 | Clear (80.62) | Digest. Earned 70 points for Team Australia. |
| Third Stage | 1 | 1 | Failed Cliff Dimension | First Transition. Earned 80 points for Team Australia. |