The Block winners Omar and Oz reveal the hardest part of the renovation series after their record $1.6 million win: ‘It takes a lot of mental strength’
Block winners Omar Slaimankhel and Ozman ‘Oz’ Abu Malik may have walked away from the show as winners last year, but it wasn’t without a hitch.
The Western Sydney team said the hardest part about participating in the refurbishment program was the incredibly tight deadlines, and it took a toll on them mentally.
“It’s very, very tough,” Omar said Yahoo lifestyle.
The couple won the show’s 18th season, scoring a record-breaking $1.6 million when their house in Gisborne went up for auction.
“We were pretty lucky and we walked away with quite a bit of money, but there were people on the show who walked away with nothing,” he added.
Block winners Omar Slaimankhel and Ozman ‘Oz’ Abu Malik may have walked out as winners of the show last year, but it wasn’t without a hitch
“It’s not easy to build a house in 12 weeks, it’s not easy to do it in front of cameras where you’re being watched 24/7, and it just takes a lot of mental strength.”
Rachel Carr, who completed the same season, said fans often found it difficult to separate fact from reality.
‘It’s really funny. The one thing I’ve noticed with the hate is people are commenting on things that aren’t really happening and it’s their interpretation of things, but they say it like it’s a fact,” she said.
Omar and Oz told the Daily Mail Australia at the Poker Face premiere last year that they have not spoken to the other contestants since winning the show.
The Western Sydney team said the hardest part about participating in the refurbishment program was the incredibly tight deadlines and it was taking a toll on them mentally
‘It’s a competition law. They knew from week one that we were the ones to be careful with,” Omar explained.
In the end, they received nothing. We won the Block. They do their own thing and get on with their lives.’
Oz agreed, adding, “When we see them we’d say hello, but we’re just leaving them alone for now.”
The Best Friends earned the largest amount above reserve of all five Blockhouses, selling their property for $5,666,666 and taking home a record $1.6 million profit.
Rachel Carr, who completed the same season, said fans often found it difficult to separate fact from reality. Pictured here with husband and teammate Ryan
Omar and Oz created a five-bedroom, three-bedroom property, one of its greatest assets being its resort-style amenities, including a solar-heated swimming pool.
The property also had a large multi-purpose court for tennis, basketball or football.
A Caesarstone waterfall worktop and backsplash, wine fridge and serving bar are all spectacular features in the kitchen.
Their dining and living areas also feature soaring ceilings with exposed wood beams and concrete floors.
“We are absolutely delighted to have taken the win this year. We had a plan and we stuck to it,” Oz said.
Omar and Oz earned the most above reserve of all five Block homes last year, selling their property for $5,666,666 and taking home a record profit of $1.6 million. Pictured: Omar and Oz’s house in The Block