The Unstable Bridge (アンステーブルブリッジ) is a Second Stage obstacle that was added to SASUKE 23 course, replacing the Swing Ladder as the fourth obstacle. It became the third obstacle in SASUKE 24, with the Stick Slider's removal.
The obstacle featured two wooden planks to swing from. Both planks were 60cm in width and 1.8m in length. The first one was hung by four metal chains, held by one in each corner. The second plank was hung by only two metal chains, each down the center of the plank, one at each end. This would force the plank to easily lop-side to either the left or right side if the competitor either did not transfer from the first plank correctly, or if they lost their balance while maneuvering across to the other end.
Similar to the Delta Bridge, a competitor must hold onto to both sides while crossing. While crossing the first plank, competitors must use momentum to reach the second plank. On the second plank, competitors must reach the other side while keeping both ends even.
This obstacle was proven to be much harder than the Swing Ladder. Although the obstacle can be beaten by those who take their time on it, like many other Second Stage obstacles, the timer forces people to rush through, causing many failures. In its first tournament, it eliminated American qualifiers Richard King (who failed the transition to the second plank) and Brian Orosco (who failed trying to reach for the ending platform) and SASUKE 22 finalist Urushihara Yuuji (who lost his balance when reaching the other side). In SASUKE 24, it eliminated Kawaguchi Tomohiro, and Sato Jun in SASUKE 25.
The Unstable Bridge immediately followed the Salmon Ladder, SASUKE 24
From SASUKE 24 to SASUKE 27, the Unstable Bridge was placed as the third obstacle, replacing the Stick Slider and immediately following the Salmon Ladder (or the Double Salmon Ladder from SASUKE 25 to SASUKE 27). The obstacle's previous position as the fourth obstacle was taken by the revamped Balance Tank.
Unstable Bridge, SASUKE 29
Then, from SASUKE 28 to SASUKE 30, the obstacle was placed after the Swap Salmon Ladder, but the second board was taken out, only the four-chained board remained. This version was proven to be much easier, as no competitors failed or even showed signs of struggling. It was removed in SASUKE 31, as it was replaced in favor of the Salmon Ladder Kudari.
American Ninja Warrior Appearances
American Ninja Warrior 3's Unstable Bridge
The Unstable Bridge appeared on American Ninja Warrior 3, as the eighth obstacle during semifinal, immediately following the Salmon Ladder. However, this obstacle was proven to be much brutal than in SASUKE, as only Ryan Stratis could complete the obstacle (likely due to the fatigue from the other competitors), setting a record as the highest knockout rate of any obstacle in American Ninja Warrior history (taking out 13 out of 14 competitors who attempted it, making a 92.86% knockout rate).
Las Vegas National Finals
American Ninja Warrior 4's Unstable Bridge in Stage Two
American Ninja Warrior 7's Unstable Bridge in Stage Two
Later, the Unstable Bridge appeared as the third obstacle in Stage Two from American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 7, after the Double Salmon Ladder, with the distance between two planks was 1.5 feet apart. Several top competitors had been eliminated from this obstacle, including Paul Kasemir, Brian Arnold, Noah Kaufman, and Drew Drechsel (twice).
From American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 6, the obstacle was immediately following the Double Salmon Ladder with no rest. While on American Ninja Warrior 7, there was a resting bar placed after the Double Salmon Ladder, which gave competitors the chance to rest before attempting the obstacle.
On American Ninja Warrior 8, the obstacle was replaced by the Wave Runner (which was a combination of the Unstable Bridge and Hourglass Drop).
Other Appearances
Ninja Warrior UK
Ninja Warrior UK's Unstable Bridge
The Unstable Bridge appeared as the third obstacle during the finals' Stage 2 on Ninja Warrior UK and Ninja Warrior UK 2, immediately following the Salmon Ladder.
Australian Ninja Warrior
Australian Ninja Warrior's Unstable Bridge
On Australian Ninja Warrior, the Unstable Bridge appeared as the fourth obstacle in Stage Two, immediately following the Salmon Ladder. However, unlike in SASUKE and American Ninja Warrior, the obstacle featured two planks, with each of the plank was supported by just two chains at the center of the plank (one at each end).
Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Unstable Bridge
Then, on Australian Ninja Warrior 2, the Unstable Bridge appeared as the seventh obstacle in Stage Two, also immediately following the Salmon Ladder. This time, the first board was supported by four chains, while the second board was supported by three chains.
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia's Unstable Bridge in Semifinal Stage 1
On SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia, the Unstable Bridge appeared as the fifth obstacle in Semifinal Stage 1, with the obstacle was not preceded by any obstacle with no rest (similar to SASUKE 23 version of the Unstable Bridge). However, this obstacle was proven to be much brutal, as most of the competitors who attempted it, failed to complete it (with most of them failed to make the transition to the second plank).
SASUKE Vietnam
SASUKE Vietnam's Unstable Bridge
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SASUKE Vietnam 3's Unstable Bridge
From SASUKE Vietnam to SASUKE Vietnam 3, the Unstable Bridge (called locally as Cầu Treo) appeared as an obstacle in Stage 2, immediately following the Salmon Ladder. On SASUKE Vietnam 1, the obstacle was placed as the third obstacle in Stage 2. From SASUKE Vietnam 2 to SASUKE Vietnam 3, the obstacle was moved to the fifth obstacle in Stage 2.
On its first two seasons, there was only one plank supported by four chains at the corners of the plank (two at each end), making it similar to the Unstable Bridge from SASUKE 28 to SASUKE 30.
On SASUKE Vietnam 3, the number of planks was increased to 2, with the second plank was supported by just two chains at the center of the plank (one at each end), making it similar to the Unstable Bridge used from SASUKE 24 to SASUKE 27. This made the obstacle become harder, as many competitors failed at the transition to the second plank.
Competitors' Success Rate
- All results based on the TBS/NBC broadcast and external information found
SASUKE
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | 8 | 11 | 72.72% |
| 24 | 10 | 11 | 90.92% |
| 25 | 7 | 8 | 87.5% |
| 26 | 8 | 8 | 100% |
| 27 | 16 | 16 | 100% |
| 28 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| 29 | 17 | 17 | 100% |
| 30 | 17 | 17 | 100% |
| Total | 87 | 92 | 94.57% |
American Ninja Warrior
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW3 (semifinal) | 1 | 14 | 7.14% |
| ANW4 | 7 | 13 | 53.84% |
| ANW5 | 8 | 11 | 72.72% |
| ANW6 | 9 | 14 | 64.28% |
| ANW7 | 20 | 30 | 66.67% |
| USA vs. Japan | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| USA vs. The World | 6 | 6 | 100% |
| USA vs. The World 2 | 5 | 7 | 71.42% |
| Total | 59 | 98 | 60.20% |