After 10 days in Jordan’s Wadi Rum Desert, the final four recruits of SAS Australia battled their way through the last day of SAS’ rigorous training camp to prove their resilience and earn their chance to pass final selection.
WATCH: SAS Australia 2023 First Look. Article continues after video.
After being awoken by a barrage of stun grenades, the recruits then took part in one of SAS Australia’s most confronting challenges to date before embarking on the third phase of their mission; a hostage rescue.
While each of the final four tackled the drill sergeant Ant Middleton’s challenges with an extraordinary level of tenacity, only half of the group made it through final selection, with actor Tim Robards and Olympic diver Matthew Mitcham being crowned the winners of SAS Australia 2023.
“I’m so happy. It’s shown what strength I’ve got inside. I probably doubted that a lot,” Tim shared following final selection.
“It was hard work. So many times you just want to stop, and you want to quit, and you’ve just gotta keep pushing and pushing. I can’t wait to call my wife and tell her that I made it.”
Matthew echoed a similar sentiment, telling Seven, “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.”
“I am just so elated. This has been the best experience of my entire life. I am so overwhelmed with gratitude,” he continued.