Exeter freerunner becomes first Ninja Warrior UK champion

Tim Champion from Exeter is the first ever winner of Ninja Warrior UK. Credit: ITV West Country

Parkour athlete Tim Champion has become the first Ninja Warrior UK winner in the ITV show's five year history.

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Tim Champion, 24, from Exeter, not only completed a brutal obstacle course but also managed to scale Mount Midoriyama - a 22m high rope climb - within 45 seconds - with just one second to spare. He astonished the crowds, the presenters and even himself.

It's a feeling of disbelief really. I finished that last part of the course and I really didn't expect to be there. The whole crowd screaming at me and everything. I thought this is crazy.

Tim Champion
Tim climbed Mount Midoriyama with a second to spare. Credit: Ninja Warrior UK, ITV

Tim is no stranger to the competition - he was a finalist in both the first and second series of Ninja Warrior UK in 2015 and 2016. His former training as a gymnast followed his life as a professional parkour athlete set him up for success.

I was trained in gymnastics since the age of nine until about 21 and then started parkour when I was 17 or 18 and been training until now. So there's a reason why my arms are strong.

Tim Champion
Tim created this temporary course in a warehouse in Exeter but would love a permanent parkour park. Credit: Team Storm

Winning Ninja Warrior UK is a big achievement but it seems Tim has his sights set on something greater - the Olympics. There's every chance parkour will become an Olympic sport in 2024 and the freerunner would dearly love more training facilities to be available close to home in Exeter.