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Newcastle Herald
Newcastle Herald
National
Damon Cronshaw

Why is this man leaping off a balcony in Newcastle? | VIDEO

At first glance, one might wonder why this man is leaping off a perfectly good balcony at Newcastle Showground.

Dominic Di Tommaso's forward somersault off a deck that stands several metres high drew excitement, gasps and applause from onlookers. [But don't try this yourself, OK!]

The somersaulter, nicknamed Dom Tomato, performed his impressive stunt from the Newcastle Showground grandstand at the show's official opening last Friday.

Newcastle Show general manager Kathryn Thomson said the stunt added to the show's carnival atmosphere.

Dom, 28, is an international parkour star. He is part of the "elite Team Farang group of freerunners".

Dom started freerunning in 2007, following "a background in ballet and figure skating and a full-time job as a garbage man", according to his Red Bull biography.

"I love freerunning, it gives me an outlet for my passion for movement without the restrictions or guidelines I found in other organised sports.

"It excites me to know that the possibilities are seemingly endless. I'm so happy to be a part of the community that advocates support and progression for each and every freerunner involved."

Parkour is an urban subculture that exists somewhere between martial arts and sport. Super athletes like Dom are often seen in parkour videos leaping and flipping off rooftops and walls.

Freerunning is a flashier version of parkour that highlights acrobatic moves and self-expression.

Ms Thomson said Dom "MCed the new parkour competition that we introduced at the show this year".

"And he was part of the entertainment at our official opening," she said.

"Everybody loved it."

Kathryn said Dom does "some pretty wild stuff".

The flip at the show opening was "pretty straight forward - a little stunt".

"We cleared the way and off we went. It played into the show and carnival vibe."

She said the show was lucky to attract Dom because "normally he's travelling the world with Red Bull".

"Thanks to COVID, he was in the country."

She said parkour workshops ran each day during the three-day show, which ended on Sunday.

"They had more than 300 kids through across the weekend."

The show also hosted a parkour competition, which Dom was part of.

"That drew quite a crowd," she said.

A Royale with Cheese

Prince Harry in his new role.

Prince Harry revealed in his big interview with Oprah that the royal family had cut him off financially.

"My family cut me off in the first half of 2020, but I got what my mum left me," Harry said, adding that he had to pay for security for he and his family.

As this very real photo shows, he's had to get a new job to make ends meet.

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