The Iron Paddler (アイアンパドラー) was an obstacle, firstly introduced as the second obstacle in SASUKE 28's Third Stage.
It consisted of a bar with two dips for handles held on a scaffolding by the competitors' waists, with having a circular shape at the ends of the bar to revolve. To complete the obstacle, competitors must hold themselves up using the bar and roll it to the end of the 5 meter scaffolding using the handles, much like the Arm Bike, except that the rolling bar was by the competitors' waists, thus being the first Third Stage obstacle to strain the triceps specifically.
Also, when the competitors reached the other side of the obstacle, they could use the rigging on the sides of the obstacle to support themselves on the dismount. But touching the black part of the bar or the scaffolding would result in disqualification.
Although no competitor failed on the obstacle, it was proven to be very difficult, as all competitors who completed it, showed signs of struggling throughout the obstacle. In fact, all competitors in SASUKE 28 failed on the next obstacle, the Crazy Cliffhanger, while three out of the four competitors failed on the Crazy Cliffhanger in SASUKE 29 (therefore, earning its purpose as an energy waster). However, after Takahashi Kenji's run in SASUKE 29, where he managed to complete the obstacle rather quickly without signs of fatigue, fewer competitors showed signs of struggling with the obstacle.
After Morimoto Yūsuke's kanzenseiha in SASUKE 31, as well as the obstacle's zero knock-out rate, the Iron Paddler was replaced in the next tournament by its predecessor, the Flying Bar.
American Ninja Warrior Appearance
American Ninja Warrior 5's Rolling Steel in Miami
The Iron Paddler appeared on American Ninja Warrior 5, as the ninth obstacle during Miami finals, and was called as the Rolling Steel, which was a hybrid of the obstacle itself and the Arm Bike.
Competitors must move a similar bar from the Iron Paddler, with a similar fashion as the Arm Bike, on a track with upward incline. Unlike the Iron Paddler (where the obstacle didn't eliminate any competitor who attempted it), the Rolling Steel eliminated 2 out of 10 competitors who attempted it (Grant David and Idoko Abuh).
Competitors' Success Rate
- All results based on the TBS/NBC broadcast and external information found
SASUKE
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| 29 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| 30 | 9 | 9 | 100% |
| 31 | 8 | 8 | 100% |
| Total | 24 | 24 | 100% |
American Ninja Warrior
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW5 (Rolling Steel) | 8 | 10 | 80% |