Eight of Australia's biggest sporting heroes go head-to-head in Series 2 of Rexona Australia's Greatest Athlete.
With new competitors, new challenges and a new location, Series 2 is even bigger and better than last year. Can Matt Mitcham make it on the football field? Can Big Dell power his way across a swimming pool? And can defending champion Billy Slater rise to the occasion yet again?
Over four big weeks, they’ll answer these questions in a series of demanding athletic challenges. At stake is not only their personal pride and the reputation of their sporting code, they’ll also be playing for the charity of their choice.
Every week competitors must face two diverse challenges. First up, athletes are given the chance to excel in one of the speciality sports of their opponents. In the second task of each episode we test their general athletic ability, with a focus on physical attributes such as strength, speed and co-ordination.
Once the 15 challenges are completed the results are tallied and the athlete with the highest score is crowned winner of Rexona Australia's Greatest Athlete.
In the final challenge of Rexona Australia's Greatest Athlete, competitors will attempt to complete a multi-disciplinary course in the fastest time possible. This series-deciding time trial is divided into three laps of the course, testing the athlete's ability in the following disciplines:
Lap One: Bench Press (Ten Repetitions @ 50KG), Balance Beam, Kayak
Lap Two: Monkey Bars, Weight Pull, Stand Up Paddle Board, Run
Competitors will be given seven different kicks at goal from different positions, in this demanding test of their AFL prowess. With only one attempt allowed from each position, the challenge is heightened by the presence of a 'marker' - an opposing athlete who will attempt to distract the kicker.
The athletes hop into the driver's seat and attempt to set the fastest time over one lap of the Alberton race course. With the assistance and advice of a qualified instructor, they must prove they have what it takes to be the greatest athlete on four wheels.
Athletes will compete in four-man Kayaking heats over a designated course of 250 metres. The top two athletes in each heat will progress to the final, with the first paddler home declared the winner.
This challenge measures the athlete’s core stability. The winner must maintain their core strength the longest, by completing as many leg raises whilst supporting their body weight as possible – all without falling behind the timed beep.
Raw strength is put to the test. Each athlete will be required to bench press 75% of their body weight, with the highest number of repetitions determining the winner.
This event is all about power. Athletes will race head-to -head over a 15m track, whilst pushing a weighted tackle sled. The weight will increase with each round, peaking at 100kg for the final to determine our winner.
A speed wall climbing competition will test the athlete's ability and nerve as they scramble up a formidable climbing course in two-man heats. A series of elimation races will determine the fastest two climbers, who will tackle the wall one last time in a bid to be the challenge winner.
The winner of this contest will enjoy bragging rights as the fastest athlete over 40 metres, after beating the competition in a series of one-on-one beach sprints. Four intense preliminary rounds will decide the semi finalists, which will culminate in a showdown between the two most impressive sprinters.
It’s a test of coordination, skill and nerve for the athletes, who will navigate their way through a challenging Jet Ski course. Any infraction within the slalom course earns the athlete a 5 second time deduction as they progress through the knockout competition.
Athletes compete one-on-one to attack and defend in an 'oz-tag' style rugby showdown. The object of the challenge is to score a try by beating a defender. In the event that no try is scored, the match up will be decided by distance gained. Athletes will be paired up and eliminated in a knockout competition until a winner is decided.
In a tense shoot out, athletes are given a penalty shot against each of their opponents. Competitors can earn points by kicking goals or by blocking them as the goalie, making a total of fourteen points up for grabs per player. In the event of a tie, the winner will be determined by a sudden death showdown, with the eliminated athletes choosing one of their own to undertake the goalkeeping duty.
Who will be the king of the pool? In a test of raw power and technique, athletes will take to the water in a series of elimination swimming races over a distance of 25m.
Athletes will face their fears in a two-part challenge. The first will see the athletes climb a 13m pole and take a leap of faith to catch a suspended trapeze, all whilst racing the clock. The four-fastest competitors will go head-to-head on the suspended balance beam. Whoever lasts the longest will be crowned the winner.
Athletes will be pushed to the limits in a demanding Mini Ironman challenge, which sees them racing across the sand and in the water. The winner is the first to cross the finish line after completing a demanding combination of four disciplines – running, swimming, board paddling and surf ski paddling.
The first season of Rexona Australia’s Greatest Athlete was an exciting showcase of some of the country’s finest sporting talent. These athletes not only entertained us, they also exemplified the benefits of an active and healthy lifestyle.
Given last year’s great success, Rexona hopes that Series 2 will continue to inspire a new generation of Australian athletes to reach their full potential. It’s just part of our campaign to encourage everyday Australians to go out and get active.
All the action of Rexona Australia’s Greatest Athlete Series 2 takes place in the award-winning Couran Cove Island Resort.
Couran Cove Island Resort is located on South Stradbroke Island only 40 minutes by ferry off Queensland’s Gold Coast, Australia. Set in peaceful natural surrounds, Couran Cove Island Resort is a unique Australian island resort which features pristine white beaches, majestic rainforest and native Australian wildlife. Winner of Environmental, Architectural, Tourism and Catering awards, Couran Cove Island Resort offers a range of beautiful marine style accommodation, a wide choice of excellent dining options and is ideal for a family holiday, a romantic escape or that special business event.