Robert Irwin Reveals New Details About His “Painful” Rib Injury After DWTS Finale Win

Just days after winning Dancing With the Stars Season 34, Robert Irwin is celebrating the biggest moment of his career while simultaneously recovering from an injury that almost jeopardized his finale routine. The newly crowned champion opened up about the ordeal, sharing how close he came to being sidelined — and why the Mirrorball Trophy means even more because of it.

Appearing on Good Morning America on Nov. 26, Irwin confirmed that the rib injury featured in his finale package was very real and significantly more serious than most viewers realized. Still smiling despite the discomfort, the 21-year-old reassured fans that he’s healing.

“We’re getting there. It’s painful, but no pain, no gain,” he said, determined to stay optimistic.

The Injury That Nearly Disrupted the Biggest Night of the Season

During the finale broadcast, audiences learned that Robert had been battling intensifying rib pain throughout the final stretch of rehearsals. What fans didn’t fully see was just how quickly the discomfort escalated. Irwin later explained that the pain originated in his intercostal muscles — the small but essential muscles between the ribs that help stabilize the torso.

“I’ve been dealing with rib pain because the intercostal muscles of the ribs are under a lot of tension,” he shared in the episode’s behind-the-scenes footage.
“It’s been getting worse progressively.”

Rehearsal clips showed several moments where Robert hesitated mid-routine, grabbed his side, or winced after completing a difficult sequence. According to those close to production, his condition worsened most noticeably in the final 48 hours before the live show.

Witney Carson’s Quick Thinking Saved the Routine

While the injury itself was daunting, the real challenge came when Robert and his professional partner Witney Carson realized they needed to overhaul their choreography with almost no time to spare. Their finale freestyle — a tribute to the Irwin family legacy — required explosive movement, sharp torso rotations, and lifts that could easily aggravate his ribs.

On GMA, Robert praised Carson for stepping in immediately with modifications that protected him without sacrificing the routine’s emotional punch.

“Witney was amazing at changing up some of the moves that we had to do,” he said.
“We had to change on the fly, but our last dance, that freestyle, was a way to say thank you to everybody who’d been on that journey.”

According to insiders, Carson re-worked multiple moments in the routine, altering transitions, frame positions, and lift mechanics to reduce compression around Robert’s rib cage. She reportedly spent hours re-blocking the performance so that Robert could still dance full-out without risking a complete collapse.

The last-minute adjustments worked — spectacularly. The pair delivered a powerhouse freestyle that brought the audience to its feet and earned them straight 10s from the judges.

Why Robert Refused to Back Down

Despite the pain, Robert says the thought of quitting never crossed his mind. Physical challenges, he explained, have always been part of his life.

“I catch crocs — I’m used to it,” he joked, referencing his hands-on work at Australia Zoo. “I’ll heal up, mate.”

Those close to the Irwin family say his determination comes from growing up around high-risk wildlife conservation work, where unexpected injuries come with the territory. A strained rib muscle paled in comparison to the dangerous scenarios he faces regularly as part of his job.

Production sources added that Robert refused to consider a reduced choreographic load unless doctors told him continuing was unsafe — a warning that never came. Instead, he committed to dancing through the pain, relying on careful movement adjustments and support from Carson to make it through the final show.

A Victory Earned With Grit and Heart

Robert’s Mirrorball win, already meaningful due to its tribute to his late father Steve Irwin, carried extra emotional weight once viewers learned the physical struggle behind it. His ability to battle through pain while still delivering one of the season’s most celebrated finale routines only heightened fan admiration.

Witney Carson called the victory “one of the most rewarding of my entire career,” crediting Robert’s perseverance and positivity for what she described as an unforgettable creative partnership.

For Robert, the win was never about conquering the competition alone.

“Our last dance was a way to thank everyone who supported us,” he said. “This wasn’t just my victory.”

Healing, Celebrating, and Looking Ahead

As he recovers, Irwin says the rib discomfort is manageable — and well worth the trophy he earned. While he continues to rest, fans can expect him back to full strength soon, ready to return to wildlife work, new projects, and whatever adventure comes next.

One thing is clear: the Season 34 champion didn’t just win because of skill or choreography. He won because of resilience. And even while nursing a painful injury, he proved exactly why he deserved the Mirrorball Trophy.