SAS Australia 2023 will be graced by a national hero, Dr Craig Challen, who will be diving straight into Base Camp.
The 57-year-old was responsible for the infamous Thai cave rescues in 2018 alongside his diving companion, Richard Harris.
The pair saved 12 members of a school soccer team and their coach who were all trapped in a flooded cave in Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Despite having low odds of survival, the pair successfully saved all 13 of the Wild Boars before becoming co-Australian of the Year in 2019.
The rescue became so iconic that it was turned into a six-part Netflix series, Thai Cave Rescue in 2022.
Dr Craig Challen is set to be the ‘caretaker’ on SAS Australia 2023
When it comes to SAS, Melbourne-based therapist Jana Firestone told The New Daily that she thinks the retired vet will play a “caretaker” role on the show.
“I don’t know how open he’s been about his career and the tough things he would’ve experienced on that big journey in Thailand.
“But as somebody whose entire career is about rescuing others, I wonder if that means his personal exploration is shelved a bit as he’s there supporting others,” she speculated.
No matter which role he takes, we have a feeling he’ll be wholesome AF and we love him already!
What else do we know about SAS Australia 2023’s Dr Craig Challen?
Dr Craig was also appointed a Knight Grand Cross (First Class) of The Most Admirable Order of The Direkgunabhorn by the King of Thailand in September 2018.
Since the rescue, he’s also become a motivational speaker, educating others on the importance of bravery and resilience. So, we’re already placing bets on him being this year’s MVP!
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