This article is about the First Stage obstacle. For the obstacle used on the Final Stage, see Tsuna Nobori (Final Stage).
Rope Climb (ロープクライム) was the final obstacle in First Stage from SASUKE 3 to SASUKE 17. The obstacle was almost exactly what its name implied. After completing the Tarzan Jump by swinging the rope into a wall, competitors must use that same rope to help them climb up the top of the wall. At the top lies a red buzzer that competitors must rest to signify a clear on First Stage.
In its debut tournament, the obstacle featured a single vertical wall. This was modified right away in the following tournament, which divided with the wall into two parts: the lower part had a vertical cushion for competitors to land their feet onto, and the upper part was elevated on a slight incline that competitors must climb over.
From SASUKE 10 to SASUKE 12, the rope rested against the wall because Tarzan Jump was replaced by Tarzan Rope. However, because it eliminated only six competitors in its lifespan, Tarzan Jump was brought back in the following tournament.
Yamamoto Shingo attempting Rope Climb in SASUKE 5
From SASUKE 3 to SASUKE 12, the wall was 5.4 meters high. Starting in SASUKE 13, the wall had various modifications. The lower part had a thicker padding to cushion the competitors' landing, and the upper part had a different structure compared to the past:
- SASUKE 13 and 14 had a trapezoidal wall with a long bamboo pole resting running down the middle.
- SASUKE 15 had three bamboo poles resting on the middle part. Some competitors would lean too far to either side of the walls to avoid touching the poles, which made it hard for them to traverse.
- SASUKE 16 removed of the poles, and the side of the walls beyond the trapezoidal wall were covered up.
- SASUKE 17 had a semi-circular shaped wall replacing the trapezoidal one.
However, due to Nagano Makoto's Kanzenseiha in SASUKE 17, the obstacle was replaced with Rope Ladder in SASUKE 18.
Other Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior[]
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American Ninja Warrior 15's Rope Climb
The Rope Climb appeared in American Ninja Warrior 15 as the sixth and final obstacle in the Semifinals. Compared to its appearance in SASUKE:
- There was a foothold that competitors can chose to land on after transitioning to the bar.
- The wall was divided into two sections, the upper part of which was pushed back.
- The lower section had a small lip that prevented the rope from constantly touching the wall.
- The rope was connected to the edge of the upper platform instead of a separate structure.
- It was separated by the previous obstacle by a stationary bar.
- During the broadcast, the wall was stated to be 18 feet (5.49 meters) high.
All of these modifications meant that competitors had to swing from the stationary bar to the wall (often aiming for the foothold), climb the rope until they reached the upper part of the wall, which they would hop over and hit the buzzer. There were several ways in which competitors could reduce the time spent on the obstacle:
- Utilize their legs to climb up the wall, which would reduce time spent relying on their upper body or hanging on the rope.
- Take a single swing from the stationary bar to the wall.
- Lache straight to the top of the bottom section, avoiding the foothold and the time spent climbing to the top.
This obstacle served primarily as a final march to the buzzer. However, it could also serve as a final opportunity for the lead in a race to change: if two competitors reached the obstacle at roughly the same time, whoever could cimb up faster would win the race. Since Rope Climb did not precede any other obstacle, it didn't necessarily serve as a time nor energy waster. It also took out no competitors, and there were no upsets; every competitor who reached the obstacle first won their race.
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
Australian Ninja Warrior 6's Rope Climb in the Power Pool
On Australian Ninja Warrior 6, the Rope Climb appeared as the third and final obstacle in every heat's Power Pool. It was significantly shorter than the original SASUKE version, at 3 meters (9.84 feet) in height, the wall is made out of crash pads, and the rope is completely vertical, not resting on the finishing platform itself. In fact, because the first obstacle in the Power Pool is the Sprinting Steps, this version of the Rope Climb is more akin to the rope climb seen in Australian Ninja Warrior: Record Breakers as a part of the Sprinting Steps Showdown event.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS broadcast and external information found.
SASUKE[]
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 13 | 18 | 72.22% |
| 4 | 37 | 39 | 94.87% |
| 5 | 3 | 5 | 60% |
| 6 | 5 | 7 | 71.43% |
| 7 | 8 | 12 | 66.67% |
| 8 | 6 | 8 | 75% |
| 9 | 7 | 7 | 100% |
| 10 | 5 | 8 | 62.5% |
| 11 | 11 | 13 | 84.62% |
| 12 | 11 | 14 | 78.57% |
| 13 | 10 | 11 | 90.91% |
| 14 | 14 | 17 | 82.35% |
| 15 | 7 | 11 | 63.64% |
| 16 | 16 | 21 | 76.19% |
| 17 | 11 | 16 | 68.75% |
| Total | 164 | 207 | 79.23% |
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