Goren Hammer

The Goren Hammer (5連ハンマー), referred to on English broadcasts as the Hammer Dodge, was the next to last obstacle in the Second Stage from SASUKE 1 to SASUKE 9. Competitors would cross a balance beam while dodging five large swinging hammers. It was used heavily in Kinniku Banzuke on various events, most notably in several incarnations of Bamboo Derby and Like a Pierrot. In the first tournament, it eliminated future All-Stars Yamada Katsumi and Yamamoto Shingo. However, after SASUKE 4, fewer people cleared the First Stage, and as a result all of the remaining competitors were able to clear the obstacle. It was replaced with a more dangerous obstacle, the Balance Tank, in SASUKE 10.

Yamamoto Shingo sizing up the Goren Hammer, SASUKE 2