Hashimoto Kouji

Hashimoto Kouji (橋本 亘司) is a sports instructor and a SASUKE competitor, who was the one of the eight qualifiers in the SASUKE 21 Trials. In the trials, he cleared the "Final Stage" in 49.91 seconds, and managed to get the #7 qualifying spot.

During the tournament, he showed great speed, clearing most of the obstacles quickly. He reached the Soritatsu Kabe in great time, with about a minute left. However, he could not scale the wall and timed out there. He participated in the SASUKE 22 Trials, and successfully became one of the seven qualifiers for SASUKE 22.

In the tournament, he wore #76 but his run was digested. It is shown that he made it to the Slider Jump and successfully reached the net. However, when he was moving down the net, his foot accidentally touched the water and he was disqualified. From what the announcer was saying, he had about 30 seconds left at that time, so he might have been rushing to have a good chance to clear with enough time.

He then participated in the SASUKE 23 Trials, and for the third time became a qualifier for SASUKE 23.

In the tournament, he wore #47 but his run was digested. He was finally able to complete the 1st stage with 15 seconds remaining. In the 2nd stage, he completed the Downhill Jump with ease, but when attempting the Salmon Ladder he underestimated the distance between the first and second rungs, landed forcibly back on the first rung and lost his grip.

He then returned for SASUKE 24 and wore #85. There, he cleared the First Stage with 11 seconds remaining. Then, in the Second Stage, he cleared the Salmon Ladder that defeated him last time and the rest of the course. He then demolished the Third Stage, clearing every obstacle without any problems and becoming the second of just six people to clear the Third Stage on their first try since SASUKE 12. In the Final Stage, he lost too much time on the Heavenly Ladder, completing it with just 17 seconds left. Even though he kept a fast pace on the G-Rope, he still timed out inches away from the button.

Kanzen Renewal
In SASUKE 25 Hashimoto drew #60 from the lottery. He cleared the First and Second Stages with little time to spare. In the Third Stage he defeated the new Roulette Cylinder, Doorknob Grasper and Floating Boards, but failed to grab the third ledge of the new Ultimate Cliffhanger and fell in the water.

Hashimoto returned in SASUKE 26 with his highest number ever, #98. There, he easily passed the First Stage with over 10 seconds remaining. In the Second Stage Hashimoto managed to beat the first four obstacles easily, however on the Metal Spin Hashimoto grabbed the chain too low and he slipped off when the chain stretched.

Returning for SASUKE 27, he had little trouble clearing the First Stage and was the first to clear the Second Stage. In the Third Stage, he easily beat the Arm Bike and Flying Bar, and became the first man to clear the Ultimate Cliffhanger after 8 previous attempts between the two previous tournaments. He cleared the Jumping Ring, however he fell on the Chain See-Saw when he didn't grab the ends of the chain evenly and was forced into the water. He also received his lowest starting position ever, #20.

Hashimoto returned in SASUKE 28, but surprisingly failed on the Spin Bridge, his first First Stage fail since SASUKE 22. He took revenge on the First Stage in SASUKE 29, however like many that day, timed out on the the hardened Backstream. After SASUKE 29 he retired due to not wanting to feel the pressure of being a Shin Sedai.