The Cross Bridge (クロスブリッジ), known on the English broadcast as the Bridge of Blades, was a First Stage obstacle, firstly introduced in SASUKE 13. It was placed immediately after the Sandan Rolling Maruta.
Competitors must run across 4 blades with a centre axis to reach the landing platform (in a similar fashion with the Godantobi). The blades would rotate when the competitors put their weight on them.
Although few competitors failed on the obstacle, it eliminated some top competitors such as Nakayama Kinnikun in SASUKE 13 and Yamada Katsumi in SASUKE 15. In Yamada's case, he lost his balance after completing the obstacle and subsequently fell off the side, resulting in a course out.
It was removed after Nagano Makoto's kanzenseiha in SASUKE 17.
A modified version of the obstacle, the X-Bridge (which Ninja Warrior also called as the Bridge of Blades), would later appear in SASUKE 24, as the second obstacle in the First Stage, with six small blades instead of four large blades.
American Ninja Warrior Appearances
American Ninja Warrior 2's Bridge of Blades
American Ninja Warrior 3's Bridge of Blades
American Ninja Warrior 4's Bridge of Blades in Midwest and Midsouth regions
American Ninja Warrior 6's Bridge of Blades in St. Louis
The Cross Bridge (called as the Bridge of Blades) appeared as the third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 2 in qualifying and semifinal. Although there was no center axis, the padding caused it to be in a plus-shape, providing an interesting threat for the competitors. It was one of the most deadly obstacles during qualifying, eliminating many top competitors such as Brett Sims, Rick Huelga, and Paul Darnell. It was also extremely dangerous, as one competitor (Robert Mullinix) suffered a wound to the head that caused him to bleed.
The obstacle was modified on American Ninja Warrior 3 and also returned in Midwest and Midsouth regions on American Ninja Warrior 4.
Then, the Bridge of Blades returned once again on American Ninja Warrior 6, where it was used in St. Louis. However, competitors were not allowed to grab the blades with their hands. If they did so, they would be disqualified.
Other Appearances
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SASUKE Vietnam's Cross Bridge
Cầu Chữ X (SASUKE Vietnam's official name for the Cross Bridge) appeared as the third obstacle in Stage 1A on SASUKE Vietnam. However, on SASUKE Vietnam 2 and SASUKE Vietnam 3, the obstacle was moved as the second obstacle in Stage 2.
Australian Ninja Warrior's Bridge of Blades
On Australian Ninja Warrior, the Bridge of Blades appeared as the third obstacle in every qualifying heat. However, competitors were not allowed to grab the blades with their hands. If they did so, they would be disqualified.
Competitor's Success Rate
- All result based on the TBS broadcast and external information found
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 26 | 30 | 86.68% |
| 14 | 34 | 38 | 88.48% |
| 15 | 18 | 21 | 88.72% |
| 16 | 29 | 30 | 96.68% |
| 17 | 38 | 42 | 88.52% |
| Total | 145 | 161 | 90.06% |