Chain See-Saw

The Chain See-Saw is a new obstacle for SASUKE 27 in it's Third Stage. The obstacle consists of two long chains, each with its own pulley mechanism, and the chains positioned where each end of the chain are measured the same level apart. The competitor must transfer from the ladder separating it from the previous obstacle and swing out to transfer to the next chain, before transferring to the ladder after the obstacle. If the ends of the chain aren't grabbed at the same time, the end of the chain with the most weight distributed will lengthen while the other will shorten, forcing the competitor into the water. This is what happened to Hashimoto Kouji in the tournament, the only competitor to fail the obstacle of the three to attempt it.


Matachi Ryo swing at the Chain See-Saw, SASUKE 27


G4 Name: Chain Saw
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 27
Last: SASUKE 27
Total: 1 Competition
First Attempt: Hashimoto Kouji, SASUKE 27
First Clear: Matachi Ryo, SASUKE 27



Hashimoto Kouji attempting the Chain See-Saw



Hashimoto Kouji failing the Chain See-Saw after losing a grip



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Jumping Ring

The Jumping Ring is a new obstacle for the Third Stage in SASUKE 27. It is a variant of the never attempted Swing Circle used in the two tournaments prior in the same obstacle position after the Ultimate Cliffhanger. It has the exact function of the Swing Circle and is virtually identical in appearance, the biggest differences being the reduction from four to two rings and the rings are now level, as opposed to the descending pattern as with the Swing Circle. It also does not directly lead into an obstacle; instead the competitors must use their feet to help grab a ladder to assist in getting to the next obstacle. The three people who attempted this obstacle all completed it.


The Jumping Ring, SASUKE 27


G4 Name: Jumping Ring
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 27
Last: SASUKE 27
Total: 1 Competition
First Attempt: Hashimoto Kouji, SASUKE 27
First Clear: Hashimoto Kouji, SASUKE 27


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Cycling Road

The Cycling Road (サイクリングロード) is an obstacle introduced in SASUKE 26. Replacing the Floating Boards as the third obstacle of Stage Three, it consists of four wheels spaced out over a large distance. The competitor must throw enough momentum on each wheel to reach the next. It acted more of a strength drainer, as all four who attempted it, cleared it with much less difficulty than the Floating Boards. It was removed in SASUKE 27.

This obstacle was introduced in SASUKE Navi as "Cycling Road." While announcer Ogasawara Wataru also referred to this as such, the onscreen graphic shown during the broadcast said "Cycle Road" (サイクルロード). G4 referred to this obstacle as Cycle Road in its Stage Three preview during American Ninja Warrior.



David Campbell attempting the Cycling Road, SASUKE 26


SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 26
Last: SASUKE 26
Total: 1 competition
First Attempt: Brent Steffensen, (SASUKE 26)
First Clear: Brent Steffensen, (SASUKE 26)
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Cliffhanger

The Cliffhanger (クリフハンガー) is one of the longest-enduring obstacles in SASUKE to date, having proven to be brutal throughout the history of SASUKE.

In essence, competitors must traverse through at least three narrow ledges, which are 3cm wide, only long enough to support the fingertips. Since its introduction, it has five renewals.



Version 1 (SASUKE 4)

The original version of Cliffhanger was introduced in SASUKE 4. Its actual name is 直線型クリフハンガー (literally Cliff Hanger straight version). Every ledge was at the same height, and each ledge was 1.2 meters long. It only lasted for the one tournament, as the producers increased the difficulty of each stage afterward due to Akiyama Kazuhiko's kanzenseiha in that competition.


The original version of Cliffhanger. It is also known as 'Cliffhanger Straight Version'


G4 Name Cliff Hanger
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 4
Last: SASUKE 4
Total: 1 competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 4, Asaoka Hiroyuki
First Clear: SASUKE 4, Asaoka Hiroyuki



Version 2 (SASUKE 5 - 8)

The second version of Cliffhanger appeared in SASUKE 5, where the final ledge was raised 30 cm and was renamed as the 段差型クリフハンガー(literally Cliff Hanger Dropout section).Yamamoto Shingo was the only competitor to attempt this version more than once. He attempted and passed it in SASUKE 5 and SASUKE 7.


Yamamoto Shingo attempting the second version of the Cliffhanger in SASUKE 5. This second version also known as 'Cliffhanger Drop Out Section'


G4 Name: Cliff Hanger
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 5
Last: SASUKE 8
Total: 4 competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 5, Yamamoto Shingo
First Clear: SASUKE 5, Yamamoto Shingo



Version 3 (SASUKE 9 - 17)

In the third version of Cliffhanger, the length of the first ledge was doubled, the second ledge raised by 30 cm, and the last ledge lowered by 45 cm. It was renamed again, this time as the クリフハンガー改 (literally Altered Cliff Hanger). This version lasted the longest thus far of any iteration. In later competitions, the obstacle marked the halfway point in the stage and passing it was marked as a major accomplishment.


The third version of the Cliffhanger, also known as 'Altered Cliffhanger'


G4 Name: Cliff Hanger
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 9
Last: SASUKE 17
Total: 9 competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 9, Nagano Makoto
First Clear: SASUKE 9, Nagano Makoto



The drawing of the third version of the Cliffhanger which called 'Altered Cliffhanger'

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Flying Bar

The Flying Bar (フライングバー) was the final obstacle ofSASUKE's new Third Stage from SASUKE 25 and 26. It is a hybrid of the Jumping Bars and Pipe Slider, where the competitor must negotiate down a track by jumping from one rung to another while holding onto a pipe. There are five rungs with an unknown distance from one to other. In SASUKE 27, the obstacle was placed second on the stage, while the new Bar Glider takes its previous spot. In addition, the obstacle was shortened from five rungs to three.


The Flying Bar, SASUKE 25


G4 Name: Flying Bar
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 25
Last: SASUKE 27
Total: 3 Competitions
First Attempt: Hashimoto Kouji, SASUKE 27
First Clear: Hashimoto Kouji, SASUKE 27



The view of the Flying Bar from front side



Okuyama Yoshiyuki fall from the Flying Bar, SASUKE 27
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Bungee Rope Climb

The Bungee Rope Climb (バンジーロープ クライム) is the sixth obstacle of SASUKE's new Third Stage after Urushihara Yuuji's victory in SASUKE 24. It appears to be a variant of the old Rope Junction with elasticized ropes where the competitor must use their momentum to transfer to the next one as the ropes decrease in length. In the new Muscle Park building located in Chitose, this obstacle is the second-to-last obstacle in their "Sasuke Park" attraction. It has been given the name "アンビリカルコード" which transliterates to anbirikarukodo or Umbilical Cord. However, this name was not used. It was renamed as Rope Climb (ロープクライム) in SASUKE 26 in their official website and retained the name change for the SASUKE 27 broadcast.


A tester demonstrate the Bungee Rope Climb, SASUKE 25


G4 Name: (Bungee) Rope Climb
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 25
Last: SASUKE 27
Total: 3 Competitions
First Attempt: Matachi Ryo, SASUKE 27
First Clear: Matachi Ryo, SASUKE 27
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Swing Circle

The Swing Circle (スイングサークル) was the obstacle after the Ultimate Cliffhanger in SASUKE's Third Stage afterUrushihara Yuuji's Kanzenseiha in SASUKE 24. It consisted of four rings hanging from the scaffolding above, where the competitor must jump from one ring to the next, similar to the Jumping Bars. The rings appear to be on a track similar to the Gliding Ring only shorter and steeper, meaning the rings may be able to move freely.

This obstacle was introduced in SASUKE 25 and was also in SASUKE 26. It was never attempted during its short lifespan. The obstacle was changed into the Jumping Ring for SASUKE 27.


The Swing Circle, SASUKE 25


G4 Name: Swing Circle
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 25
Last: SASUKE 26
Total: 2 Competitions
First Attempt: N/A
First Clear: N/A
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Floating Boards

The Floating Boards (フローティングボード), was introduced in SASUKE 25. The obstacle consists of five boards hanging from the scaffolding above. The competitor must cling onto the first board, transfer to the next and so on. Despite being very fatiguing with the Ultimate Cliffhanger immediately after, it eliminated no competitors and was replaced by Cycling Road after one tournament.

The Floating Boards made a return for the American version of Mount Midoriyama, in Stage Three. It again preceded the Ultimate Cliffhanger, however, the number of boards was decreased to four and the gaps in between the boards were smaller. It was cleared by the only remaining competitor, Brent Steffensen, who fell later on at the Hang Climbing.


The Floating Boards, SASUKE 25


Floating Boards, SASUKE 25
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 25
Last: SASUKE 25
Total: 1 Competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 25, Takahashi Kenji
First Clear: SASUKE 25, Takahashi Kenji



Hashimoto Koji attempting the Floating Boards at SASUKE 25
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Doorknob Grasper

The Doorknob Grasper (ドアノブグラスパー), was introduced in SASUKE 25. Directly following the Roulette Cylinder, the Doorknob Grasper consists of four knobs protruding from a wall. The competitor must transfer from the cylinder to the first knob and so on. The knobs turn, making it difficult to transfer to the next knob unless turned to stay in place, wasting grip strength. Only two competitors (both Americans), Brian Orosco and Paul Kasemir, have failed this obstacle. It was removed after two tournaments.


The Doorknob Grasper, SASUKE 25


SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 25
Last: SASUKE 26
Total: 2 Competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 25, Takahashi Kenji
First Clear: SASUKE 25, Takahashi Kenji


View of the Doorknob Grasper (front)



Takahashi Kenji attempting the Doorknob Grasper, SASUKE 25



Li En Zhi attempting the Doorknob Grasper, SASUKE 25



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Roulette Cylinder

The Roulette Cylinder (ルーレットシリンダー), was introduced as the first obstacle of Stage Three in SASUKE 25. It is similar to the old Rumbling Dice, only the Roulette Cylinder's track is shorter and instead of a box the competitor must negotiate a cylinder with bars coming out of it. This leads directly into another new obstacle, the Doorknob Grasper.

In SASUKE 26 it was given drops, and this was enough to take out Brian Orosco, when he failed before transitioning to the Doorknob Grasper. It and the Doorknob Grasper were removed in favor of the Arm Bike for SASUKE 27.


The Roulette Cylinder, SASUKE 25


G4 Name: Roulette Wheel
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 25
Last: SASUKE 26
Total: 2 competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 25, Takahashi Kenji
First Clear: SASUKE 25, Takahashi Kenji



David Campbell on the re-designed Roulette Cylinder, SASUKE 26



Okuyama Yoshiyuki attempting the Roulette Cylinder. This is a comparison between Roulette Cylinder at SASUKE 25 (right) and re-designed Roulette Cylinder at SASUKE 26
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Rope Junction

The Rope Junction (ロープジャンクション) was a third stage obstacle that was introduced in SASUKE 24 to replace the Kudari Lamp Grasper. It was similar to the Tarzan Rope from SASUKE 10-12. The obstacle consisted of six ropes: the first, second, fourth, and fifth ropes were very short to limit swing movement and alternate from left to right, while the third and sixth ropes were much longer and were centered. Competitors were required to use the sixth rope to drop safely down to the resting platform. The obstacle proved to be easy, as all seven people that attempted it, cleared it with ease.


The Rope Junction, SASUKE 24


G4 Name: Rope Junction
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 24
Last: SASUKE 24
Total: 1 Competition
First Attempt: SASUKE 24, Tajima Naoya
First Clear: SASUKE 24, Tajima Naoya


Tajima Naoya take a rest at the platform before attempting the Rope Junction



Yamamoto Shingo crossing the Rope Junction
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Hang Climbing

Hang Climbing (ハングクライミング) was a third stage obstacle that was introduced in SASUKE 21. Its function was very similar to the Sending Climber obstacle that it replaced. It was an acutely-angled wall scattered with rock climbing artifacts. Its difference from the Sending Climber was that the rocks were bigger, thus requiring less finger strength than the Sending Climber obstacle in order to pass it. It is one of the few Third Stage obstacles where feet were allowed on the obstacle. It lied between the Jumping Bars and Spider Flip, allowing no rest for competitors in between the obstacles. In the tournaments it was in the Third Stage, it only eliminated one person, Takeda Toshihiro, who was also the first person to attempt the obstacle.

It later returned in the third stage as an obstacle in the finals of American Ninja Warrior 4, once again as the sixth obstacle, but being preceded by the Bungee Rope Climb instead of the Jumping Bars. There, the obstacle was more similar to the Sending Climber. While competitors could still use their feet, the size of the rocks were about the same size as those in the Sending Climber, as a result, this ensnared and eliminated Brent Steffensen, who was the only competitor to make it to that point.


The Hang Climbing, SASUKE 22


G4 Name: Ascending Climb
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 21
Last: SASUKE 24
Total: 4 Competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 21, Takeda Toshihiro
First Clear: SASUKE 21, Nagano Makoto



Nagano Makoto attempting the Hang Climbing at SASUKE 21
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The Sending Climber (センディングクライマー) was a third stage obstacle used in SASUKE 19 and SASUKE 20. It replaced the Climbing Bars in the 19th competition and was replaced with Hang Climbing in SASUKE 21. It was never attempted, but its function was very similar to the Hang Climbing obstacle. It was an acutely angled wall scattered with rock climbing artifacts. Its major difference from Hang Climbing was that the rocks were smaller, requiring more finger strength than the Hang Climbing obstacle in order to pass it; furthermore, the Sending Climber was farther away from the Jumping Bars than the Hang Climbing, making the transition in between the obstacles harder. It was between the Jumping Bars and Spider Flip, allowing competitors no rest in between the obstacles.

Levi Meeuwenberg mentioned in an interview that unlike the Hang Climbing, competitors would not be allowed to use their feet.


The Sending Climber, SASUKE 20


G4 Name: Ascending Climb
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 19
Last: SASUKE 20
Total: 2 Competitions
First: Attempt N/A
First: Clear N/A
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Devil Steps

The Devil Steps (デビルステップス) is an obstacle introduced into the Third Stage in SASUKE 19, replacing the Curtain Swing as the third obstacle in the Third Stage. This obstacle is a set of ascending and descending stairs where the competitor must climb under the steps to reach the next obstacle. The competitor must climb upwards first, then reach behind them to reach the steps leading down. Although introduced in SASUKE 19, no one reached the obstacle as all 100 competitors failed by the Second Stage, although TBS teased viewers by showing a tester fail there in the SASUKE 19 opening. Competitors have had good success on the obstacle, with only one failure,Miyazaki Daisuke, in SASUKE 21.

The obstacle was removed in favor of the Floating Boards after Urushihara Yuuji's kanzenseiha, but returned as an obstacle on the Southwest qualifying course during American Ninja Warrior 4.


The Devil Steps, SASUKE 19


G4 Name: Devil Steps
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 19
Last: SASUKE 24
Total: 6 Competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 20, Levi Meeuwenberg
First Clear: SASUKE 20, Levi Meeuwenberg



Urushihara Yuuji climbing the Devil Steps at SASUKE 22
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Kudari Lamp Grasper

The Lamp Grasper returned in Shin-SASUKE for SASUKE 19's Third Stage once again replacing the Arm Bike and renamed the Kudari Lamp Grasper (下りランプグラスパー). On Ninja Warrior, it was called either the "Globe Grasp" or "Downward Globe Grasp". While it was introduced in SASUKE 19, it wasn't attempted until SASUKE 20. In this incarnation, the scaffolding was angled downwards requiring competitors to reach downward to reach each of the thirteen spheres and these spheres were more grouped than the original Lamp Grasper. Also, competitors are required to leap to the resting platform after the obstacle. Competitors are allowed to skip globes or traverse down one side of the obstacle, as Levi Meeuwenberg did in SASUKE 23. It never retired any of the nine individuals who attempted it and was replaced with the Rope Junction in SASUKE 24. In SASUKE 19 the obstacle was angled less steeply, the globes were smaller and the jump was larger than in later versions.


Kudari Lamp Grasper, SASUKE 20




A look at the Kudari Lamp Grasper from the platform
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Gliding Ring

The Gliding Ring (グライディングリング) is a Third Stage obstacle that replaced the Pipe Slider in the 18th Competition course redesign. Its appearance is similar to the Circle Slider, a First Stage obstacle from SASUKE 17. However, the track is shorter and the ring is smaller. Its function is similar to the Pipe Slider, where the competitor needs to push the ring to the end position and swing off the ring over a fairly large gap onto the finishing platform to reach the Final Stage. The ring is held in place by a stopper at the beginning to keep it from sliding down the track prematurely There is only one track holding the ring, and the ring's final position also seems to be at the same height as the gap, making the jump needed for success quite difficult. The distance from the ring to the platform is unknown.

Due to the difficulty of previous third stage obstacles, the Gliding Ring was not attempted in SASUKE 18, 19, or 20. In the 21st Competition, this obstacle was named the Gliding Ring but an error in design required Nagano Makoto, the only competitor to attempt the obstacle, to force the ring down the track. This error was fixed in SASUKE 22 and Urushihara Yuuji easily glided down along the track and became the first to clear it. The goal mat was placed further from the ring as a result, ensnaring Takahashi Kenji in SASUKE 23. However, both Nagano Makoto and Kanno Hitoshi cleared it. In SASUKE 24 six contestants attempt this obstacle. Of the six that attempted it in SASUKE 24, the first, Tajima Naoya, lost his grip when he failed to move the ring past the stopper prior to trying to start the ring down the track. It was taken out of the Third Stage after Urushihara Yuuji's Kanzenseiha.


Nagano Makoto attempting the Gliding Ring at SASUKE 23


SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 18
Last: SASUKE 24
Total: 7 competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 21, Nagano Makoto
First Clear: SASUKE 22, Urushihara Yuuji
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In SASUKE 18 - SASUKE 20, the final obstacle in the Third Stage was named the Final Ring (ファイナルリング). Aesthetically, it looks identical to the Gliding Ring. It is unknown if anything was changed to warrant the name change in SASUKE 21, except for the stopper. In SASUKE 23 and SASUKE 24, G4 used the name again.


The Final Ring, SASUKE 20
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Spider Flip

The Spider Flip (スパイダーフリップ) was introduced into the Third Stage with course redesign in SASUKE 18. However, because of the extreme difficulty of the previous obstacles, no one attempted it until SASUKE 21. It was taken from the Heartbreaker on Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course. A ledge, much like an I-beam girder where there is a lip to hold onto on either side, must be climbed from underneath. At the end of the first ledge, there is another ledge, aligned perpendicular to the first, that must also be scaled. Once the competitor has done this successfully, he may rest on a small foothold before jumping backwards 2 meters to land onto another setup symmetrical to the first. He then must climb back down and across to the resting bar before the Gliding Ring. Kanno Hitoshi was disqualified on this obstacle in SASUKE 22 because he struck the scaffolding with his foot while trying to make it to the vertical ledge. This led to a modification in SASUKE 23 where the ledges were placed further from the scaffolding as well as hiding the scaffolding to avoid future disqualifications. In that tournament, Okuyama Yoshiyuki became the first person to fail the jumping portion of the obstacle. Takeda Toshihiro was the only competitor to fail it twice.


The Spider Flip was preceded by the Jumping Bars and the Hang Climbing with no rests from the beginning of the Jumping Bars to the small foothold at the base of the vertical beam. Competitors usually spent about a minute without resting, adding to the difficulty of the obstacle. It was removed after Urushihara Yuuji's kanzenseiha in SASUKE 24.

The Spider Flip was in its usual seventh position in the Third Stage of the American Ninja Warrior 4 Vegas Finals, but it was unattempted.



The Spider Flip, SASUKE 22

                                                               

                                  
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 18
Last: SASUKE 24
Total: 7 competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 21, Nagano Makoto
First Clear: SASUKE 21, Nagano Makoto



Kanno Hitoshi attempting the Spider Flip, SASUKE 23


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Curtain Swing

The Curtain Swing (カーテンスイング) is an obstacle introduced into the Third Stage following the complete course re-design after Nagano Makoto's kanzenseiha in SASUKE 17. It is a modification of the Curtain Cling obstacle. The obstacle consists of four small curtains 1 meter (3 ft 3.37 in) long that 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. The obstacle proved to be easier than its predecessor, as all three people who attempted it easily cleared it. It was replaced by the far more difficult Devil Steps in the following tournament.


Nagano Makoto attempting the Curtain Swing, SASUKE 18
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Arm Rings

The Arm Rings (アームリング) were introduced in SASUKE 16 as the first obstacle in Stage Three. The competitor hangs from two rings on different-shaped sliding horizontal poles and must negotiate several separate rises and dips on each track. Although in place for nine tournaments, it served as more of an energy drainer as the two people who failed it (Nakata Daisuke and Yamamoto Shingo) failed due to injuries that made the obstacle difficult to complete. Following Urushihara Yuuji's kanzenseiha in SASUKE 24, it was replaced with the Roulette Cylinder.

It became the last obstacle at Muscle Park Odaiba's SASUKE section, replacing the Pipe Slider when it was redesigned in early 2009 before its closure the following year.

In American Ninja Warrior, The Arm Rings soon returned in the Southwest and Northwest courses as a semi-final obstacle in American Ninja Warrior 4 just after the Salmon Ladder. It proved to be a little harder, as some competitors ran out of energy as they were doing the obstacle. Also, the poles were at the same length, but the rises and dips on the poles were different than the SASUKE version.


The Arm Rings, SASUKE 20

 
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 16
Last: SASUKE 24
Total: 9 competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 16, Takahashi Kenji
First Clear: SASUKE 16, Takahashi Kenji


Takahashi Kenji attempting the Arm Rings, SASUKE 16



Li En Zhi crossing the Arm Rings, SASUKE 22
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The Devil Balanço (デビルブランコ), called the Devil's Swing on English broadcasts, was an obstacle introduced during the Third Stage redesign in SASUKE 14. Competitors had to swing from a trapeze bar, which was suspended 45cm lower than the Pipe Slider and the green resting bar, to the Pipe Slider. There was a risk of getting the suspension chains stuck on the rest bar behind the obstacle (such as what happened to Nagano Makoto in SASUKE 16), and also a risk of grabbing the Pipe Slider, only to release it and have the pipe roll away on the track (as what happened to Kobayashi Shinji in SASUKE 14 and Nagano in SASUKE 16). The last man standing made it to the Devil Balanço in both SASUKE 14 and SASUKE 15, only to fail there. It wasn't until SASUKE 16 that Yamada Kōji defeated it. An easier trick to the obstacle was also discovered in SASUKE 16. Competitors would gain momentum by swinging from the green bar and then grabbing onto the Devil Balanço to make it to the Pipe Slider. This made the obstacle much quicker, and thus was much less difficult for competitors to clear. It did good damage in its first two tournaments (eliminating competitors such as Takeda Toshihiro and Kobayashi Shinji) although people started to understand it better. It was removed after SASUKE 17.


The Devil Balanco, SASUKE 14


G4 Name: Devil's Swing
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 14
Last: SASUKE 17
Total: 4 Competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 14, Kobayashi Shinji
First Clear: SASUKE 16, Yamada Kōji


Shiratori Bunpei cleared the Devil Balanco at SASUKE 16
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Climbing Bars

The Climbing Bars (クライミングバー), dubbed the Bridge of Destiny by G4, is an obstacle introduced with the Third Stage redesign in SASUKE 14. Directly following the Jumping Bars, competitors must climb a set of inclined monkey bars three meters up of an unknown angle to the green resting bar before the Pipe Slider. Competitors are allowed to use their feet, as Takeda Toshihiro did in SASUKE 15, but with the shortening of the Jumping Bars in SASUKE 16 and onward, competitors were not as physically drained, and thus were able to clear the Climbing Bars with ease. In the 18th Competition, the Climbing Bars were shortened and placed at a greater angle to make room for the Spider Flip. In the five tournaments it was in place, it took out only one competitor, Shiratori Bunpei in SASUKE 15. It was eventually replaced by the Sending Climber.


The Climbing Bars, SASUKE 15


G4 Name: Bridge of Destiny
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 14
Last: SASUKE 18
Total: 5 competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 14, Kobayashi Shinji
First Clear: SASUKE 14, Kobayashi Shinji


The redesigned Climbing Bars, SASUKE 18
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The Jumping Bars (ジャンピングバー) was an obstacle introduced with the Third Stage redesign in SASUKE 14. Competitors must swing and jump to the next bar below. Usually, this obstacle leads into another obstacle without any rests in between. Over the nine tournaments it has been a obstacle, the obstacle has gone through three versions. It was taken out of the Third Stage after Urushihara Yuuji's Kanzenseiha.


The Jumping Bars, SASUKE 24


G4 Name: Jumping Bars
SASUKE Competitions
Stage: Third Stage
First: SASUKE 14
Last: SASUKE 24
Total: 11 Competitions
First Attempt: SASUKE 14, Kobayashi Shinji
First Clear: SASUKE 14, Kobayashi Shinji


SASUKE 14 - 15 Version

In the first version of this obstacle, competitors had to jump through six bars, each 1.6m apart. The total length of the obstacle was 8m. This version of the obstacle was the hardest out of all of them, as most competitors were physically drained by the time they reached the Climbing Bars. This version of the obstacle took out two people,Nagano Makoto and Yamada Koji in its two tournament span. Only three people cleared this version: Takeda Toshihiro, Shiratori Bunpei, and Kobayashi Shinji.


Yamada Koji on the Jumping Bars, SASUKE 15


SASUKE 16 - 17 Version

Because no competitor even made it to the Pipe Slider in SASUKE 14 or SASUKE 15, the producers of the show decided to make the Third Stage slightly easier. The first bar was positioned further away from the resting platform to allow competitors to have more leg room when gathering up momentum. The number of bars were also reduced from 6 to 4. This proved to make the obstacle easier, as no one failed there in SASUKE 16 or SASUKE 17.


Nagasaki Shunsuke on the Jumping Bars, SASUKE 17


Shin - SASUKE Version

Following Nagano Makoto's kanzenseiha in SASUKE 17, the Jumping Bars were changed again. The first bar was placed even further away from the resting platform, requiring competitors to jump for the first bar.

A modified version used in American Ninja Warrior adds a trampoline at the starting platform.


Urushihara Yuuji attempting the Jumping Bars, SASUKE 24
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