Ferocious dino warrior aims for ninja status

Paleontologists have likely been left scrambling to re-write the history text books after an athlete dressed as a Tyrannosaurus Rex leapt across television screens.

Competing on the US show Ninja Warrior, which pits competitors against a tough obstacle course, the King of the Dinosaurs rolled back the clock to the Cretaceous as he flew through past challenge after challenge.

Initially the presenters were skeptical of the dino warrior's hopes of advancing, mainly due to his noted lack of agility and tiny arm.

But his surprising agility - which goes against all the so-called science - and ferocious approach soon won fans in the crowd and in the commentary box.

"This apex predator is just eating up this course," one of the anchors yelled. "Wow, I am just so impressed."

While he didn't make it to the end of the run, he did make it further than many other competitors who weren't dressed as over-sized lizards.