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Sasuke (TV series)

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"Ninja Warrior" redirects here. For the unrelated arcade game, see The Ninja Warriors.
Sasuke
File:SASUKE logo.gif
11th Sasuke competition logotype
GenreSports Entertainment,
Obstacle Course
Narrated byIchiro Furutachi (1997-Fall 2003)
Hatsuda (2004- )
Ogasawara (1997- )
Country of origin Japan
Original languagesJapanese;
English subtitles and dubbed contestant profiles in United States broadcast;
English voice-over in United Kingdom broadcast.
No. of seasons19
Production
Executive producerUshio Higuchi
ProducersKogake Yoshiyuki
Makoto Fujii
Production locationsMidoriyama, Aoba-ku, Yokohama [1]
Running time3-hour specials in Japan,
30-minute episodes in the United States,
Approx. 23 minute episodes in the United Kingdom.
Original release
NetworkTokyo Broadcasting System
ReleaseSept 26, 1997 –
present
Related
Kunoichi,
Pro Sportsman No.1,
Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course

'''Sasuke (サスケ, romanized in Japan as SASUKE) is a Japanese sports entertainment television special that airs on the Tokyo Broadcasting System (TBS) between Japanese television drama seasons and consists of a competition in which 100 competitors attempt to complete four obstacle course stages. Each 3-hour special covers an entire competition, and there have been 19 specials, approximately one new special per season, since Sept 26, 1997. The show is produced by Monster9 [2] and is one of the spin-offs of Muscle Ranking (筋肉番付, Kinniku Banzuke), another sports entertainment competition. Until the 10th Competition, Sasuke was broadcast as a special part of the Muscle Ranking series but became an independent program when the Muscle Ranking series was discontinued. The 1st Competition in 1997 was held indoors, marking the only time Sasuke did not take place outside.

There have also been several programs related to Sasuke. Kunoichi, the women's version of Sasuke, is composed mostly of obstacles that require balance and agility rather than upper body strength. There have also been special competitions for children and the elderly.

Through an interview or audition as well as trial rounds to test physical ability, the field of applicants is narrowed to 100 who will be allowed to compete in the 1st Stage. Sasuke consists of four stages the competitors must complete. The stages increase in difficulty, and depending on the course set up, the third or second stages may not be timed. For the purposes of fairness, beginning in the 18th competition, a 1200-meter run is held before the event. This run also determines the competitors' numbers. Each competition is taped prior to the air date and broadcast as a 3-hour show edited for time.

Participants

One particular point of interest is the broad spectrum of participants. Most are amateur athletes hailing from Japan, although some national television personalities and Olympians from other countries--most notably gymnast Paul Hamm and his brother Morgan Hamm--occasionally take part in the competition. Some of the more unique competitors dress up in costumes, bring props to the starting stage, or show off some of their talents.

Sasuke All-Stars

Toshihiro Takeda -- a 48-year-old fire rescue worker from Ibi District, Gifu Prefecture. He has reached a level of fame both in Sasuke and in his career that he became the poster boy for Japan's firefighting recruitment drive for 2006. Takeda always competes in his orange firefighter trousers and a blue or white fire rescue t-shirt. Takeda has passed the First Stage in all except the 7th Competition where he timed out on the Warped Wall, and the 10th Competition where he fell on the Jump Hang.

Shingo Yamamoto -- a 49-year-old oil company manager from Tokyo, he is the only person to have competed in every Sasuke competition, and the only person to have attempted the first and second version of the Final Stage. During his first attempt in the 3rd Competition he was only 3 meters short, but his second appearance in the 7th Competition was cut short when he dislocated his shoulder just seconds after beginning the Spider Climb. He usually competes in his gas station uniform shirt and cap (always with Esso branding); the one time he competed without it, the 4th Competition, he failed early on in the First Stage. Much note is made of his career and personal successes, including his promotions at the Hasegawa service station, where he started as a gas jockey in the 1st Competition and was announced as a district manager at the 17th; his marriage after the 5th; and the building of his home in Tokyo, complete with a Sasuke training course.

Makoto Nagano -- a 52-year-old fisherman living near Kagoshima and the second man to complete the course. He spends 300 days a year at sea captaining his ship, the 28th Konpira Maru, where he works as a commercial fisherman as well as train for the competition. Clips of him training are shown frequently during the broadcast and include him doing sit-ups off the side of the boat, handstands on the top mast, and hanging off a bridge crossing it like the Cliff Hanger obstacle. In 2005 his height and weight were recorded as 5 feet, 3 inches and 134 pounds. After failing to scale the Warped Wall in the 7th and 8th Competitions, Nagano made it to the Third Stage and failed on the Pipe Slider in the 9th. He failed the Jump Hang in the 10th competition and since then has reached the Third Stage in every competition except the 15th in which he failed on the Metal Spin. He has reached the Final Stage four times (in the 11th, 12th, 13th, and 17th Competitions), more than any other competitor, and finally completed it in the 17th Competition. His three consecutive Final Stage appearances are a record shared with Akira Omori, who accomplished the feat in the first three competitions. In the 18th Competition, he was disqualified on the Cliff Hanger when he grabbed the top frame with one hand when he jumped off the second gap.

Bunpei Shiratori -- a 56-year-old health-services government employee from Inba Village, Chiba Prefecture. He is also a track and field athlete specializing in the triple jump; he even competes in his track uniform. In 2005, his height and weight were recorded as 5 feet, 9 inches and 145 pounds. He reached the Final Stage in the 12th competition, his only time doing so, and timed out on the rope climb. During the 15th Competition, Bunpei overcame heat exhaustion to complete the First Stage and advance to the Climbing Bars (Bridge of Destiny) in the Third Stage. He has built a full-sized model of the course in his backyard known as the Shiratori Shrine, where he trains. He also invites the other Sasuke All-Stars to train there.

Katsumi Yamada -- 58 years old from Harima, Hyōgo Prefecture, he is known as "Mr. Sasuke". Due to Yamada's success in the earlier competitions, he was once thought to be the most likely to complete the entire course. The only time he reached the Final Stage was in the 3rd Competition, when he timed out just a few feet from the buzzer. In the 6th and 10th Competitions Yamada reached the end of the Pipe Slider only to fail the jump to the final mat. He is particularly notable for his unusual devotion to the Sasuke competition; many times he has sworn to retire from the competition only to resurface again, at one point alienating his family in the process. Despite his frequent claims that he will never compete again, Yamada has only missed the 13th Competition. After failing on the Pipe Slider in the 10th Competition, he never returned to the 3rd Stage. Since being disqualified in the 12th competition on the Second Stage (for finishing the Second Stage wearing gloves that contestants start with, for use on the Chain Reaction, but are required to remove before the third obstacle, the Spider Walk), he has never completed the First Stage. He trains to the point that he has no full-time job.

Kazuhiko Akiyama -- a 51-year-old massage therapist and former crab diver from Tokoro, Hokkaidō. He is the first competitor to have completed Sasuke, doing so on his third try in the 4th Competition. He has had varying levels of success since, primarily due to failing eyesight. Before becoming a crab diver, entering his family business, he was in the Japan Self-Defense Forces where he took up Greco-Roman wrestling. He did not compete in the 18th Competition.

Athletes

As well as the Hamm brothers, other athletes to have attempted Sasuke include American decathlete Paul Terek and Bulgarian gymnast Jordan Jovtchev. Jovtchev reached the Final Stage during the 8th Competition, but became the first competitor to suffer a 15-second timeout on the initial Spider Climb portion, falling when it spread apart. It might be noted that it was raining during this attempt.

Also, several world-class Japanese athletes (in addition to the aforementioned Bunpei Shiratori), including gymnast Naoki Iketani, and trampolinists Daisuke Nakata and Shunsuke Nagasaki have competed. Iketani and Nakata have both performed at Olympic Games, and Nagasaki aspires to represent Japan for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Both Iketani and Nakata are also performers on the Muscle Musical travelling show, and Shunsuke made a guest appearance performing with Nakata on the show in 2003, when he was 15.

Shunsuke first appeared at the 14th Competition, and became the youngest person to reach the Second Stage (A record since broken; see below). He made it to the Third Stage for the first time during the 15th Competition, and reached the Final Stage during the 17th Competition, timing out on the rope climb. He, however, still holds the distinction of being the youngest competitor to reach the Final Stage at age 19 during the 17th competition. He has won several medals in the Trampoline World Cups [3][4][5][6] and Doha Asian Games [7]. Shunsuke also has a younger brother, Takamasa Nagasaki, who made his debut in the 18th competition. Takamasa is a trampolinist like his brother and reached the Second Stage in his first attempt.

K-1 mixed martial artist Genki Sudo (sixth tournament) has also competed. He only made it as far as the Jump Hang though. Fellow mixed martial artist Sanae Kikuta competed in the eighth tournament but fell off of the rolling log in the first stage.

Japanese entertainers

Several Japanese or Japan-based entertainers have taken part in Sasuke such as action movie star Kane Kosugi and his brother, Shane--sons of Sho Kosugi. Kane reached the Final Stage during the 8th Competition. That day, heavy rains were falling on Midoriyama, and Kane timed out on the rope climb; he has not competed since then. Other entertainers include Hiromichi Sato, host of several NHK children's programs; actor and announcer Kenjirō Ishimaru and actors Masaki Nomura and Shōei.

Several professional wrestlers have also competed including Tiger Mask IV, The Great Sasuke, Minoru Suzuki and Hiroshi Tanahashi.

Japanese comedians

Several Japanese comedians have taken part in Sasuke. Some of them include Koriki Choshu (15th and 18th Competitions), Masaki Sumitani (AKA Razor Ramon H.G.), Yoku Hata and Kinni-kun Nakayama. While most of these are mainly for entertainment value and do not represent serious challenges, Japanese comedian Akira Omori, also called "Monkey," has made it to the Final Stage three times before, and Nakayama has made it to the Second Stage before.

Other notable competitors

Some other participants notable for their success in Sasuke include garbage man Shinji Kobayashi and elementary school teacher Hiroyuki Asaoka, known as the "Sasuke Sensei". Asaoka also reached the Final Stage in the 13th competition, failing on the rope climb. Delivery man Kenji Takahashi has only competed three times, with a five year break between his first and second attempt, but he has reached the third stage each time Takahashi was one of three competitors to reach the third stage in the 18th competition, ultimately failing on the redesigned Cliff Hanger. The only woman to have completed the 1st Stage is former Super Sentai stuntwoman Chie Nishimura, who went out the first obstacle next stage, attempting to do the spider walk in an unorthodox manner resembling the proper method of the later obstacle The Body Prop.

The youngest competitor to pass the 1st Stage, Kota Honma, was 16 years old during the 17th Competition. He was also the youngest to participate in Sasuke at 13 years old in the 13th Competition. Before him, Shunsuke Nagasaki held the record at 17 years old. Kota has built a model of the full Sasuke course. He has also demonstrated his hobby of juggling on the First Stage starting platform. Before the 17th Competition, Kota trained six days per week with his school's track and field team.

Tien Dinh, a background dancer for Ashanti who appeared on the Soul Train Music Awards, competed on SASUKE in 2004.

Matthew Hindelang, a backup singer for Britney Spears, competed on SASUKE in 2003, making it past only the first obstacle.

Ken Yasuda, coach of the Tokyo Sabres of the IFL, competed in the fifth tournament, fell off the rolling log and took the log with him into the water.

Yasushi Yamada, a fireman from the Gifu Prefecture like Toshihiro Takeda with just three percent body fat, made it to the third stage on his first try through Sasuke in the 12th Competition.

The first foreigners to reach the Third Stage were Japanese-American actor Kane Kosugi and U.S. Navy diver Travis Schraeder, both in the 4th Competition. The first foreigner to reach the Final Stage were Kane Kosugi and Bulgarian gymnast Jordan Jovtchev, both in the 8th Competition.

Stages

Descriptions of specific obstacles can be found in the section following this one.

First Stage

One hundred participants are given the opportunity to attempt the First Stage, a course which primarily tests one's speed. The object is to hit the buzzer at the end of the course before the allotted time expires. If a competitor goes out of bounds or comes into contact with the water in any of the pits below the course, he is disqualified. Typically, 85 to 90 of the 100 original entrants are eliminated in this stage. However, in the 4th competition, a record 37 of the original 100 competitiors made it past the first stage. After the 4th, and moreover in the 18th competition, the first stage was thoroughly redesigned to be much more difficult and prevent large numbers of people from moving on.

Comp # First Stage Obstacles Time Limit
1 Pending 70.0
2 Barrel Climb Spinning Log Rapid Descent Hill Climb Balance Bridge Mountain Climb 60.0
3 Barrel Climb Rolling Log Balance Bridge Rapid Descent Hill Climb Rope Climb 60.0
4 Barrel Climb Rolling Log Balance Bridge Rapid Descent Hill Climb Rope Climb 60.0
5 Barrel Climb Rolling Log Balance Bridge Jump Hang Warped Wall Rope Climb 75.0
6 Barrel Climb Rolling Log Balance Bridge Jump Hang Warped Wall Rope Climb 75.0
7 Barrel Climb Rolling Log Balance Bridge Jump Hang Warped Wall Rope Climb 75.0
8 Quintuple Step Rolling Log Big Boulder Jump Hang Warped Wall Rope Climb 77.0
9 Quintuple Step Rolling Log Big Boulder Jump Hang Warped Wall Rope Climb 77.0
10 Quintuple Step Rolling Log Dance Bridge Jump Hang Warped Wall Tarzan Jump Rope Climb 80.0
11 Quintuple Step Rolling Log Balance Bridge Jump Hang Warped Wall Tarzan Jump Rope Climb 85.0
12 Hill Climb Rolling Log Plank Bridge Jump Hang Warped Wall Tarzan Jump Rope Climb 85.0
13 Prism Tilt Rolling Log Bridge of Blades Jump Hang* Crooked Wall Warped Wall Rope Climb 80.0
14 Cone Jump Butterfly Wall Rolling Log Bridge of Blades Jump Hang Crooked Wall Warped Wall Rope Climb 103.0
15 Hurdle Jump Butterfly Wall Rolling Log Bridge of Blades Jump Hang Crooked Wall Warped Wall Rope Climb 95.0
16 Sextuple Step Rolling Log Bridge of Blades Jump Hang Rope Reverse Reverse Fly Warped Wall Rope Climb 105.0
17 Sextuple Step Log Slope Rolling Log Bridge of Blades Circle Slider Jump Hang Warped Wall Rope Climb 85.0
18 Rope Glider Log Grip Pole Maze Jumping Spider Bungee Bridge Great Wall Flying Chute Tarzan Rope Final Climb 130.0
19 Sextuple Step Log Grip Pole Maze Jumping Spider Crooked Wall Great Wall Flying Chute Tarzan Rope Final Climb 110.0

* - Although referred to as the Jump Hang, the obstacle that year consisted of many ropes hanging vertically, completely different from the rope net used in all other competitions.

Second Stage

Those with enough skill to complete stage one then take on an even more grueling set of obstacles in stage two. Fewer than 200 competitors have ever reached the Second Stage. Like stage one, the obstacles alter throughout the competitions, but all hold to the same principle: if the competitor makes a single mistake they fall into the water below. The obstacles determine the time limit, and it is usually between 60 seconds and 70 seconds.

Unlike the First Stage, which always required the competitors to hit a buzzer at the end of the course to stop the clock and pass the course, the Second Stage did not have a buzzer at its end until the 8th Competition. Before then, the competitors simply walked through an open gate to stop the clock. From the 8th Competition onward, the buzzer opens the gate. If the competitor busts open the gate without hitting the button, they are disqualified. In addition, the course judges can hold the gates closed if a competitor committed a foul earlier in the Second Stage that would result in their disqualification, such as using the Chain Reaction gloves on the Spider Walk.

On average, 10 to 15 competitors attempt the Second Stage on each competition. A record 37 competitors attempted the Second Stage during the 4th Competition. Also during the 4th Competition, a record 11 competitors cleared the Second Stage. During the 5th Competition, however, only three men made it to the Second Stage due to new, tougher obstacles in the First Stage. In the 19th Competition, no competitors cleared the Second Stage, a first in SASUKE history.

Comp # Second Stage Obstacles Time Limit
1 Pending 50.0
2 Spider Walk Hammer Dodge Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 50.0
3 Spider Walk Hammer Dodge Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 50.0
4 Spider Walk Hammer Dodge Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 50.0
5 Tackle Machine Spider Walk Hammer Dodge Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 50.0
6 Ledge Walk Spider Walk Hammer Dodge Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 50.0
7 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Hammer Dodge Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 90.0
8 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Hammer Dodge Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 100.0
9 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Hammer Dodge Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 80.0
10 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Balance Tank Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 85.0
11 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Balance Tank Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 80.0
12 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Balance Tank Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 70.0
13 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Balance Tank Conveyor Belt Wall Lift 70.0
14 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Balance Tank Metal Spin Wall Lift 67.0
15 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Balance Tank Metal Spin Wall Lift 65.0
16 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Grip Hang Metal Spin Wall Lift 66.0
17 Chain Reaction Brick Climb Spider Walk Balance Tank Metal Spin Wall Lift 65.0
18 Downhill Jump Salmon Ladder Stick Slider Net Bridge Metal Spin Shoulder Walk 95.0
19 Downhill Jump Salmon Ladder Stick Slider Net Bridge Metal Spin Shoulder Walk 90.0

Third Stage

Unlike the previous two, the Third Stage has no time limit. Contestants are allowed 20-40 seconds of rest between obstacles during which they can apply "sticky spray" to improve their grip. Instead of focusing on speed or agility, this course almost exclusively tests one's upper body strength and stamina.

Out of 1,800 overall competitors and less than 200 Second Stage competitors, around 100 have attempted the Third Stage. The Third Stage is so grueling that, on average, someone passes it only every other competition. Only thirteen individuals have ever passed it, and only three have passed it more than once.

Comp # Third Stage Obstacles
1 Pending
2 Pillar Path Propeller Bars Chain Swing Pipe Slider
3 Super Vault Propeller Bars Chain Swing Pipe Slider
4 Super Vault Propeller Bars Arm Bike Cliff Hanger Pipe Slider
5 Propeller Bars Body Prop Arm Bike Cliff Hanger Pipe Slider
6 Propeller Bars Body Prop Arm Bike Cliff Hanger Pipe Slider
7 Propeller Bars Body Prop Arm Bike Cliff Hanger Pipe Slider
8 Propeller Bars Body Prop Arm Bike Cliff Hanger Pipe Slider
9 Rumbling Dice Body Prop Globe Grasp Cliff Hanger Pipe Slider
10 Rumbling Dice Body Prop Globe Grasp Cliff Hanger Pipe Slider
11 Rumbling Dice Body Prop Globe Grasp Cliff Hanger Pipe Slider
12 Rumbling Dice Body Prop Globe Grasp Cliff Hanger Pipe Slider
13 Rumbling Dice Body Prop Curtain Cling Cliff Hanger Pipe Slider
14 Rumbling Dice Body Prop Curtain Cling Cliff Hanger Jumping Bars Climbing Bars* Devil's Swing Pipe Slider
15 Rumbling Dice Body Prop Curtain Cling Cliff Hanger Jumping Bars Climbing Bars* Devil's Swing Pipe Slider
16 Arm Rings Body Prop Curtain Cling Cliff Hanger Jumping Bars Climbing Bars* Devil's Swing Pipe Slider
17 Arm Rings Body Prop Curtain Cling Cliff Hanger Jumping Bars Climbing Bars* Devil's Swing Pipe Slider
18 Arm Rings Arm Bike Curtain Swing Cliff Hanger Jumping Bars Climbing Bars* Spider Flip Final Ring
19** Arm Rings Arm Bike Curtain Swing Cliff Hanger Jumping Bars Climbing Bars* Spider Flip Final Ring

* - On Ninja Warrior, the American translation, the "Climbing Bars" are called the "Bridge of Destiny" in subtitles. But the Japanese announcer calls them the "Climbing Bars", one of the many gairaigo (words borrowed from English) used to describe Sasuke obstacles.

** - Unconfirmed as no competitors reached the Third Stage in SASUKE 19.

Final Stage

File:Nagano 12th Final.png
Nagano 0.11 seconds too late in the 12th competition

To date, the Final Stage has known three forms. Each of these share a single, common goal: climb the big tower and reach the button at the top before time expires. If the competitor does not reach the top platform in time, the rope is cut and the competitor falls (they are caught by a safety line).

Of all the competitors to attempt to claim victory, only thirteen have been admitted to the final stage, and only three of them have gotten there more than once. Currently there are only two victors: Kazuhiko Akiyama defeated Sasuke in the 4th Competition, and Makoto Nagano in the 17th.

Since no one has reached the final stage since the 17th Competition, the new tower has not been shown clearly. Thus, details are not available on the new final stage.

Anyone who completes the Final Stage receives the grand prize of ¥4,000,000 (currently around USUnknown country code for year 2021: JPY ). Previously this was ¥2,000,000 (about USUnknown country code for year 2021: JPY ).

Comp # Final Stage Obstacles Total Height Time Limit
1 → 4 Rope Climb 15m 15m (49 ft 2.55 in) 30.0
5 → 17 Spider Climb 12.5m† Rope Climb 10m 22.5m (73ft 9.83in) 30.0
18 → Pending^ ??? ???

† If the Spider Climb is not completed in 15 seconds, the walls start to split, making it harder to traverse, and finally impossible if not completed soon after.

^ No one made it to the final stage in the 18th-19th competition, so the obstacles, height, and time are unknown.

Obstacles

First Stage Obstacles

Quintuple Step
The competitor must jump across 4 platforms that are angled 45° degrees toward the center of a water pit, and then jump to the platform at the end. The platforms are positioned alternately, left and right, across the length of the pit. They are each 60 centimeters (1 ft 11.62 in) wide, and the total length of the obstacle is 6.2 meters (20 ft 4.09 in).
Sextuple Step
A modification of the Quintuple step, the number of platforms was increased to 5.
Barrel Climb
The competitor must jump over a small pit onto a staircase of logs that each spin around on an axis, then climb that to the next obstacle.
Hill Climb (12th competition)
The competitor must cross over some walls which are at a 60° incline.
Prism Tilt
The competitor must jump over a small pit onto a large triangle which is supported by an axis in the center. The weight on one side of the triangle will tilt it into the water, so it must be crossed quickly.
Cone Jump
The competitor must cross two large cones that are spinning and jump to the next platform.
Hurdle Jump
The competitor must cross two pits, where the platforms they jump from have rope hurdles. The first platform is shaped like an opening quarter-pipe and the other is flat, ramped at a 30° angle upwards.
Rope Glider
The competitor must hold a rope as it slides down a track, and then let go to land on a mat floating in the water.
Butterfly Wall
The competitor must jump and grab onto a vertical wall that spins around an axis in the middle to reach the platform on the other side.
Spinning Log
The Competitor must cross a horizontal log that freely rotates around an axis parallel to the course. The log is about 3 meters long and 20cm in diameter.
Log Slope
A modification of the Spinning Log, the log is now on an incline of about 15°, and the exit ground is placed above the log. It is now more like a platform than a balance beam.
Rolling Log
The competitor must straddle and cling to a log 40 centimeters (1 ft 3.75 in) in diameter before kicking the ground to begin its roll down a 15-degree decline. In recent competitons, drops were implemented into the two supporting rails causing the log to fall and hit the lower rails.
Log Grip
The competitor must hold onto a vertical log with their arms and legs while it slides down a track with drops to the next platform. The log contains small indentations to provide a little grip. The track is the same one previously used in the Rolling Log.
Rapid Descent
Exactly like starting from the other end of the Barrel Climb, the competitor must jump over a large gap.
Balance Bridge
There is a large board that freely rotates along an axis parallel to the course. Along with this, there is an extension along the axis that sticks straight up. When the Balance Bridge was reused in the 11th competition, the axis was further to the left, the extension went along the whole board, and there was a second extension added perpendicular to the first on the right side halfway across the obstacle.
Big Boulder
The competitor must jump onto a very large boulder-like sphere and then leap from that to the other side.
Dance Bridge
The dance bridge is 4 rows wide and 4 columns across. Each columns was on its own axis and had 4 individual pieces that could spin.
Plank Bridge
The entrant must jump off half a bridge to the other side, much like an unbolted diving board.
Bridge of Blades
Like the other bridges, there is a lengthwise axis that freely rotates. The Bridge of Blades has four sections of bridge alternately going out 45° on each side. There is also an extension that spans the whole bridge that comes straight up about 15cm high.
Pole Maze
The competitor must grab a pole leaning against the first platform, and swing to the other side. The pole is anchored in the middle of the water pit between, and the top of the pole must be guided through a track above.
Circle Slider
The competitor must jump from a springboard and grab onto a large hoop which is on a long track on a decline, that they must slide across. At the end, the hoop hits a large object on the top of the track, and the competitor must use the momentum built up on the descent to swing to a platform.
Jump Hang
The competitor must bound forward off a trampoline to grasp the underside of a declining cargo net, then either climb over or underneath it, taking care not to touch the water below the obstacle if they choose the latter route. Other versions have included jumping forward off a trampoline to grasp one of several hanging ropes.
Jumping Spider
The competitor must jump from a trampoline into a shaft of parallel walls that they must traverse by wedging themselves between and crawling through them.
Bungee Bridge
The competitor must cross a bridge of 4 planks with a gap between each. The planks are made of many thin strips of a stretchy material so they provide little support and very unstable ground.
Rope Reverse
The competitor must take a rope and swing off the side of a high platform. When the rope swings back into the side of the high platform, the competitor must swing and jump onto another platform below. There is a bungee line that limits the rope's movement.
Reverse Fly
The competitor must jump into a large vertical trampoline, slightly angled, and then land back on a platform next to the one they jumped from. A wall divides the platform they must jump from and land on.
Crooked Wall
The competitor must run up a concave wall and jump off the side to grab a rope which will then take them to the next obstacle.
Hill Climb (2nd-4th competition)
The competitor must climb one large wall of similar height to the warped wall, but flat and a 60° angle.
Warped Wall
The competitor must scale a concave quarter pipe 5 meters (16 ft 4.85 in) high by running up and grabbing the edge.
Great Wall
A modification of the Warped Wall, the Great Wall adds an extra piece of the wall on top with a rope hanging over the end for contestants to grab and climb over with. The rope ends at the same height as the original Warped Wall.
Flying Chute
The competitor must sit down and slide down a tube and grab onto a rope hanging horizontally at the end, then transfer from that rope to a net behind them and climb down.
Tarzan Jump
The competitor must cross a series of 5 hanging ropes to a rope against the wall, which they then must climb to reach the buzzer before time expires.
Mountain Climb
The competitor must climb a wall with hand and foot holds to reach the buzzer at the top. The first section of the wall is on a conveyor belt powered by the weight of the competitor and slides downward as you climb.
Rope Climb
The competitor must take a rope and swing to a wall, then climb up the wall with the rope to press the buzzer before time expires.
Tarzan Rope → Final Climb
The competitor must take a rope and swing to a net wall, then climb up the net and cross a short bridge to press the buzzer before time expires.

Second Stage Obstacles

Spider Walk
There have been a few different versions of this obstacle. In the first few competitions, it was the first and longest obstacle, sometimes taking as much as half of the alloted time. The obstacle required the competitor to pin themselves between two parallel walls and traverse it without touching the ground. A segment in the middle moved up and down, requiring a shift in direction usually. Later, it was shortened to five large sets of panels, each of which moved independently of the others. In the version used from the 7th to the 17th Competition, the competitor must use his hands and feet to climb up, across, and back down two parallel walls. A can of adhesive spray is available at the start of the obstacle. Bare hands must be used or the contestant will be disqualified. (This requirement is especially important starting in the 7th Competition, since the Chain Reaction uses gloves.)
Tackle Machine
The competitor must push a 50kg weight down a tunnel to reach the exit to the next obstacle.
Ledge Walk
The competitor must cross two sections of ledge at the bottom of a wall, with water below. The second section has two short strips sticking out of the wall at about knee height to increase the difficulty.
Chain Reaction
The competitor must ride two sequential zip-lines over a pit of water, switching between them in midair. The zip-lines travel perpendicularly to each other, and each has a chain hanging from it by a single point. Competitors must grasp the chain on the first zip-line, ride to the second zip-line, switch to the next chain in midair, and ride the second zip-line to the end of the obstacle. During the switch, competitors may kick off a nearby solid wall. The first swing is 9.5 meters, and the second is 7.5 meters. Competitors are required to wear gloves (for safety reasons) when holding the chains which they must discard prior to reaching the Spider Walk.
Downhill Jump
The competitor must slide down a track standing on an object similar to a snowboard, then jump to a rope on a track. Then they must slide the rope down the track and drop onto a mat floating in the water. Kunoichi's Super Jump is similar to this.
Brick Climb
The competitor must climb a wall with bricks protruding from it. The wall is approximately 3.5 meters high.
File:Salmon Ladder.png
The Salmon Ladder
Salmon Ladder → Stick Slider
The competitor must grab a bar which is resting on two parallel walls. The walls have seven parallel sets of notches for the bar to rest on, and the gap between the last two sets is larger than the previous gaps. The bar is not bound to the wall in any way. When he grabs the bar, the mat he was standing on is taken away. The competitor must use his momentum to climb, raising the bar from notch to notch. After reaching the final notch, he must land the bar onto two tracks which come in towards each other as the competitor slides down. Finally, he must drop from the bar onto a mat below.
Hammer Dodge
The competitor must walk across a thin plank, taking care to avoid 5 large hammers which are swinging back and forth. The competitor is disqualified for coming into contact with the hammers in any way.
Balance Tank
The competitor must balance atop a large rolling barrel and ride the barrel to a platform across a distance of 5.4 meters.
Grip Hang
The competitor must hang onto two outward-facing ledges and cross a small gap.
Net Bridge
The competitor must Climb across a cargo net to reach the next platform.
Conveyor Belt
The competitor must crawl though a small tunnel with a conveyor belt going the opposite direction. It is 90cm wide and 6.3 meters long.
Metal Spin
An array of chains dangle from a horizontal wheel that freely spins, resembling a chandelier, over a water hazard. The competitor must jump to grasp one of the chains, spinning the wheel to the other side. Starting in the 16th competition, the target chain is placed in a loose knot so when it is grabbed it still drops, making it more unpredictable.
Wall Lift
Three walls block the competitor, who must lift and cross under them to advance. Initially, the walls were 20kg (44 pounds), 30kg (66 pounds), 40kg (88 pounds). Later, they were increased to 30kg, 40kg and 50kg (110 pounds).
Shoulder Walk
The competitor must cross two bridges carrying a bar on his shoulders that has two weighted chambers hanging from each end of the bar, weighing 40kg (88 pounds) total. The bridges have a small gap between them, and the second bridge is offset to the left.

Third Stage Obstacles

Super Vault
The competitor must pole vault over a body of water. The pole is anchored below the water, and can freely rotate along an axis perpendicular to the course.
Pillar Path
The competitor walks across a path of unstable columns.
Propeller Bars
The competitor must cross a series of 3 horizontal, slowly-spinning bars anchored to the top of the course.
Rumbling Dice
A box frame made of two steel squares connected by four monkey bars, one at each corner about 30cm apart from one another, is placed on two bars that traverse a 5m water pit. The competitor must roll the box frame across the pit by grabbing the top monkey bar in front and pulling it down again and again.
Arm Rings
The competitor hangs from two rings on different-shaped sliding horizontal poles and has to negotiate several rises and dips on the poles.
Chain Swing
The competitor must cross a series of 6 hanging chains about 2.5m long, each of which has a foothold at the bottom.
Arm Bike
In this obstacle, the competitor must use his arms to propel himself across the gap, holding pedals similar to the way feet pedal on a bike. This obstacle was used until the 9th Competition, and then returned in the 18th Competition as an immediate successor to the Arm Rings, with no platform to rest on between them.
Body Prop
Much like the spider walk, the competitor must traverse an expanse of two walls that are 5 meters long. However, the walls are further apart, so he must position both hands on one side and both feet on the other. His body should be parallel to the ground as he does so. Along the way there are breaks in both walls, requiring the entrant to negotiate those as he moves across.
Globe Grasp
The competitor crosses yet another pool of water by grabbing onto a series of small spheres attached to the ceiling.
Curtain Cling
The competitor must grapple across a hanging curtain 5.4 meters wide to reach the other side. The curtain is about 3m (9 ft 10.11 in) in height.
Curtain Swing
Four small curtains 1m (3 ft 3.37 in) long are hung diagonally, and the bottom of each is within arm's reach. The entrant must swing from one to the next to get across.
File:Cliff Hanger.png
Top: 4th Cliff Hanger, Below: 3rd version
Cliff Hanger
The competitor must traverse three narrow ledges only large enough to be supported by the fingertips. Since its introduction in the 4th tournament, there have been four different versions.
  • The original cliffhanger had the three ledges at the same height, all the same length at 1.2m (3 ft 11.24 in) each, with 15cm (5.91 in) gaps between them.
  • In the following Competition, the third ledge was raised 30cm (11.81 in).
  • For the 9th Competition to the 17th, the first ledge was lengthened, the second ledge was raised to the height of the third, and the third was lowered 45cm. (17.71in)
  • For the 18th Competition, the second ledge was shortened and inclined, making the gap between the second and third bars 1m (3 ft 3.37 in) horizontally. As a small compensation for the added difficulty, the third bar was extended outwards for the first half.
Jumping Bars
Competitors must jump from a series of bars, each one about 5 feet in front of and one foot below the previous.
Climbing Bars,aka Bridge Of Destiny
Competitors must climb across an inclined ladder while hanging underneath it. Since its introduction it has been preceded by the Jumping Bars, and the two drain what little stamina the competitor has left.
Devil's Swing
Competitors must swing on a bar attached to the top of the obstacle course by two chains and swing to the bar on the pipe slider.
Pipe Slider
Historically the last obstacle on the course, the entrant must hang from a pipe and, by undulating his body, move that pipe across a track to the other side. There have been two versions of this obstacle. In the earlier version, there would be two tracks to slide down, the first continuing in the same direction as rest of stage three, whereas the second was perpendicular to it with only a green bar at a 45° angle between them. In the 14th competition, the first track was eliminated and replaced with the jumping bars and climbing bars. Once the competitor reached the green bar, he must use the devil's swing to reach the pipe slider track, and slide down to the end. Once there, the competitor needs to swing off the pipe over a fairly large gap onto the finishing platform to reach the final stage.
Spider Flip
The obstacle replaces The Devil's Swing in the 18th competition. Although no competitor made it to this obstacle in the competition, its appearance and function seem to be similar to the "Heartbreaker" obstacle on "Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course" where a 25 foot high frame shaped like an upside-down staircase with ledges on either side to grip on is climbed to jump across 7 feet to the other side.
Final Ring
The obstacle replacing the Pipe Slider in the 18th competition, and although no competitor made it to this obstacle in the 18th competition, its appearance is similar to the circle slider. However, the track is shorter and the ring is smaller. Its function seems to be similar to the pipe slider, where the competitor needs to swing off the ring over a fairly large gap onto the finishing platform to reach the final stage. While the obstacle hasn't been shown in full detail yet, the ring seems to be at an angle and there is only one pole of track to hold the ring. The gap also seems to be wider.

Broadcast

The program can currently be seen in the United States as Ninja Warrior on the G4 channel every weeknight at 6:00 and 10:00 EST and each Tuesday at midnight EST. In each schedule mentioned, two episodes are shown, although Women of Ninja Warrior sometimes airs in its place.[8] There have also been occasional marathons of the program on weekends. The play-by-play commentary and interviews with participants are subtitled in English while the introduction, player profiles, and replays have been dubbed by voice actor Dave Wittenberg. Each episode is a 30-minute portion of the Japanese broadcast. Episodes also feature segments such as "Ninja Killer" (an obstacle from a stage that took out the most contestants) and "Warrior Wipeout" (the best wipeout from a Sasuke contestant). Currently, the 1st competition has not yet aired but the 18th competition might air around September/October.

G4 recently held a contest with the grand prize being a trip to Japan to compete in Sasuke's 19th Competition in the fall of 2007. Ten semifinalist videos were selected on August 3 via internet poll to determine three finalists who would appear on G4's Attack of the Show! on August 28-30 to demonstrate their Ninja Warrior skills. On August 31, Colin and the runner-up, Brett were selected and are now the subjects of an hour-long G4 special in November. [9]

The American-edited Ninja Warrior episodes will begin broadcasting in the UK on Challenge from October. These will be re-edited again (with subtitles removed), and voiced-over by Stuart Hall.

Results

The following is a list of currently available information of people who managed to reach at least the Third Stage in each competition. Under each competition, the results are listed in order of who went the farthest first. Their names are listed along with their number (1-100) from the competition, and the obstacle/stage they failed to complete. In the 10th competition the number system ran from 901-1000 to indicate that 1000 competitors had now attempted Sasuke's First Stage. The obstacles used in each competition as well as a description of each obstacle are listed in the sections above. All air dates are of the Japanese broadcast on TBS.

1st Competition (Aired September 26, 1997)
No. ?? Akira Omori - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. ?? Ken Hasegawa - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage

2nd Competition (Aired September 27, 1998)
No. 97 Hikaru Tanaka - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 99 Akira Omori - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 95 Shigeyuki Nakamura - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 83 Hiroaki Yoshizaki - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 70 Masakazu Ebihara - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 65 Ken Hasegawa - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 42 Tatsuya Yamamoto - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 30 Eiichi Miura - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 20 Shingo Yamamoto - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage

3rd Competition (Aired March 13, 1999)
No. 89 Katsumi Yamada - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 13 Shingo Yamamoto - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 49 Minoru Matsumoto - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 100 Akira Omori - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 54 Tatsuya Yamamoto - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 10 Ken Hasegawa - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage

4th Competition (Aired October 16, 1999)
No. 86 Kazuhiko Akiyama - Completed Final Stage (6.0 seconds to spare)
No. 94 Travis Schraeder - Disqualified on Pipe Slider* - Third Stage
No. 81 Naoki Iketani - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 40 Eiichi Miura - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 3 Hiroyuki Asaoka - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 100 Katsumi Yamada - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 97 Kane Kosugi - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 95 Hiroaki Yoshizaki - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 71 Takuya Ueda - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 48 Takayuki Kawashima - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 64 Shusuke Sato - Failed Super Vault - Third Stage

  • According to the American announcer, he said that Schraeder used brute force to get across the Pipe Slider. He went too hard and the orange pipe fell off the tracks where only the wires stayed on.

5th Competition (Aired March 18, 2000)
No. 98 Shingo Yamamoto - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage

6th Competition (Aired September 9, 2000)
No. 99 Katsumi Yamada - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 83 Yoshiaki Hatakeda - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 93 Toshihiro Takeda - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage
No. 98 Kane Kosugi - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage
No. 97 Shane Kosugi - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage

7th Competition (Aired March 17, 2001)
No. 97 Shingo Yamamoto - Failed Spider Climb - Final Stage (dislocated shoulder)
No. 96 Kenji Takahashi - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 40 Hironori Kuboki - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 81 Shane Kosugi - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage
No. 95 James Okada - Failed Propeller Bars - Third Stage

8th Competition (Aired September 29, 2001)
No. 91 Kane Kosugi - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 59 Jordan Jovtchev - Failed Spider Climb - Final Stage
No. 71 Toshihiro Takeda - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 81 Shoei - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage

9th Competition (Aired March 16, 2002)
No. 61 Makoto Nagano - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 97 Toshihiro Takeda - Failed Globe Grasp - Third Stage
No. 71 Daisuke Nakata - Failed Globe Grasp - Third Stage
No. 98 Shingo Yamamoto - Failed Rumbling Dice - Third Stage

10th Competition (Aired September 25, 2002)
No. 1000 Katsumi Yamada - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 961 Naoki Iketani - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 940 Daisuke Nakata - Failed Globe Grasp - Third Stage
No. 954 Hiroyuki Asaoka - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage

11th Competition (Aired March 21, 2003 [10])
No. 96 Makoto Nagano - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 74 Shinji Kobayashi - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 61 Naoki Iketani - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 98 Shingo Yamamoto - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 95 Daisuke Nakata - Failed Globe Grasp - Third Stage
No. 97 Toshihiro Takeda - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage
No. 99 Kazuhiko Akiyama - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage

12th Competition (Aired October 1, 2003)
No. 100 Makoto Nagano - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage (by .11 seconds)
No. 77 Bunpei Shiratori - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 72 Hiroyuki Asaoka - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 95 Toshihiro Takeda - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 97 Kazuhiko Akiyama - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 91 Jordan Jovtchev - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 96 Shingo Yamamoto - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 70 Manabu Satou - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 01 Yasushi Yamada - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 92 Masāki Kobayashi - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage

13th Competition (Aired April 6, 2004)
No. 100 Makoto Nagano - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 99 Bunpei Shiratori - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 98 Toshihiro Takeda - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 97 Masāki Kobayashi - Failed Curtain Cling - Third Stage
No. 90 Naoki Iketani - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage

14th Competition (Aired January 4, 2005)
No. 68 Shinji Kobayashi - Failed Devil's Swing - Third Stage
No. 100 Makoto Nagano - Failed Jumping Bars - Third Stage
No. 97 Toshihiro Takeda - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 91 Jordan Jovtchev - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 80 Hiroyuki Asaoka - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 98 Shingo Yamamoto - Failed Curtain Cling - Third Stage
No. 81 Naoki Iketani - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage
No. 87 Masāki Kobayashi - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage
No. 76 Terukazu Ishikawa - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage
No. 88 Kosuke Yamaguchi - Failed Rumbling Dice - Third Stage

15th Competition (Aired July 20, 2005)
No. 96 Toshihiro Takeda - Failed Devil's Swing - Third Stage
No. 94 Bunpei Shiratori - Failed Climbing Bars - Third Stage
No. 70 Yasushi Yamada - Failed Jumping Bars - Third Stage
No. 65 Shunsuke Nagasaki - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 93 Morgan Hamm - Failed Curtain Cling - Third Stage
No. 95 Shingo Yamamoto - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage

16th Competition (Aired December 30, 2005 [11])
No. 96 Bunpei Shiratori - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 91 Yasushi Yamada - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 100 Makoto Nagano - Failed Devil's Swing - Third Stage
No. 95 Jordan Jovtchev - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 98 Toshihiro Takeda - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 89 Shunsuke Nagasaki - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 66 Kenji Takahashi - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 90 Naoki Iketani - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage

17th Competition (Aired October 11, 2006 [12])
No. 99 Makoto Nagano - Completed Final Stage (2.5 seconds to spare)
No. 87 Shunsuke Nagasaki - Failed Rope Climb - Final Stage
No. 91 Toshihiro Takeda - Failed Pipe Slider - Third Stage
No. 86 Paul Terek - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 67 Yuta Adachi - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage
No. 81 Bunpei Shiratori - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage
No. 98 Shingo Yamamoto - Failed Body Prop - Third Stage
No. 96 Daisuke Nakata - Failed Arm Rings - Third Stage

18th Competition (Aired March 21, 2007 [13])
No. 96 Makoto Nagano - Disqualified on Cliff Hanger† - Third Stage
No. 97 Shunsuke Nagasaki - Failed Cliff Hanger - Third Stage
No. 98 Kenji Takahashi - Failed Cliff Hanger- Third Stage
† - When Nagano crossed the second gap of the Cliffhanger he grabbed the top of the frame with one hand.

19th Competition (Aired September 19th, 2007)
No. 79 Koji Yamada - Failed Salmon Ladder - Second Stage
No. 86 Yuuji Washimi - Failed Salmon Ladder - Second Stage
Note: No participants reached the Third Stage in the Fall 2007 competition.

Related Events

The show Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course airs on ESPN2, and is also produced by Monster9 for Fuji TV. Many of the same competitors from Sasuke also compete in the Viking competition. Sasuke executive producer Ushio Higuchi has also co-created Muscle Musical [14], a live athletic and comedy-oriented performance featuring some Sasuke competitors (such as Ayako Miyake, Naoki Iketani, and Sayaka Asami), as well as other Japanese athletes and entertainers. Its popularity in Japan and ever-growing popularity in the United States has resulted in it securing a long-term run at the Sahara Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas.[15] Every January First TBS also airs the Pro Sportsman No.1 competition, also produced by Monster9. Several people who have competed on Sasuke have participated in this competition. It is a series of events contested by celebrities and professional athletes. In 2007 Paul Terek took the title of Pro Sportsman No. 1. On Odaiba island [16], Monster9 has built Muscle Park [17], an indoor theme park based on events from Sasuke and other Muscle Ranking related programs. Some well-known Sasuke participants such as Katsumi Yamada have made live appearances there. Sasuke champion Makoto Nagano was honored in a celebration where he participated in the ribbon cutting there.[18] Since April 2007 Monster9 has been airing episodes of Muscle Channel[19], a show to promote Muscle Park and the Muscle Musical as well as people and events related to Sasuke. Muscle Channel usually airs on BS-i on Thursdays from 8:00 to 9:53 JST and is hosted by Sato Hiromichi . Past guests include Katsumi Yamada[20] and Shunsuke Nagasaki[21].

See also

External links

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