After a gruelling 2023 season of SAS Australia only four celebrities remained; one was rejected half way through, one had to walk down the mountain alone meanwhile the winners went up in the helicopter with everyone else.
Footy commentator Abbey Holmes was first to leave after coming dead last trying to scale a mountain with her fear of heights.
By the finale, Abbey Holmes had come a far way from the start of her journey on SAS Australia 2023.
(Credit: Seven)The final three contestants passed the third phase of the mission which was a hostage rescue. However, Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham and reality TV star Tim Robards were the only two to pass selection, making them the winners of the 2023 SAS season.
This left Craig Challen, 57, rejected from selection after scaling a mountain and completing one of the hardest military test in the world.
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The decision to pass Matthew and Tim would not have come lightly for Ant Middleton and his special forces crew after they were quick to write off the final three in the early days of the season.
Ant admitted the final three contestants had a massive turnaround especially Olympian Matthew Mitchem,
“I mean, at the beginning, he was scared of aggression, scared of himself,” he said before explaining his initial thoughts on Tim. “No grit, his mindset was a bit weak coming in – but just today on the hostage rescue, great leadership.
“He just needed that bit of self-belief. But I truly believe that he’s found it here.”
Tim Robards and Matthew Mitcham were the winners of SAS Australia 2023.
(Credit: Seven)Following his incredible win, Matthew felt “overwhelmed with gratitude.”
“I did come in as a survivor and I have definitely thrived throughout this course. I was controlled by my inner saboteur before, but now, I feel capable of doing basically anything,” he said.
“I am just so elated. This has been the best experience of my entire life.”
Tim had a similar sentiment and admitted his doubts, saying: “I’m so happy. It’s shown what strength I’ve got inside. I probably doubted that a lot.
“It was hard work. So many times you just want to stop, and you want to quit, and you’ve just got to keep pushing and pushing. I can’t wait to call my wife and tell her that I made it.”
