Burasagari Maruta

Burasagari Maruta (ぶら下がり丸太), called Log Dangle (SASUKE 1)/Spinning Log (SASUKE 2) in English broadcasts, was a First Stage obstacle in the first two SASUKE tournaments.

The obstacle consisted of a log, 30 cm in diameter and 3.6 metres long, which a competitor must cross like a balance beam, while the log spun on its axis. Competitors could try to run/walk/slide across the log or to use hands and feet to help crossing the log, with the former being a faster but riskier approach, while the latter is a safer but significantly slower approach.

It was a fairly easy obstacle, eliminating only nine competitors, although one of them notably was the first ever competitor to wear #100, Kawashima Hiroshi. Its high clear rate prompts the producers to replace the obstacle with the more harder and iconic Rolling Maruta in SASUKE 3, which would remain in First Stage until Nagano Makoto's Kanzenseiha in SASUKE 17.

A similar version of this obstacle was also used in KUNOICHI tournaments, called Kaiten Tsutsu. The major distinction being that the log was not on a higher elevation connected by bars, instead connected directly to the two platforms. This design of Kaiten Tsutsu would later be used for the inspiration of Spinning Log on several SASUKE's international formats. Later, a similar version returned in KUNOICHI 9, named Pipe Hold, although interestingly, unlike in SASUKE, competitors weren't allowed to stand on the log, possibly for safety reasons. A similar obstacle was also used as the second obstacle in the Finals of SASUKE 17 Trials, known there as Ipponbashi (not to be confused with Ipponbashi that was used in SASUKE 12).

Competitors' Success Rate

 * All results based on the TBS broadcast and external information found.

American Ninja Warrior


Variations on the Burasagari Maruta appeared in various American Ninja Warrior tournaments:


 * American Ninja Warrior 1 (renamed the Barrel Roll, or Rolling Barrel, and featuring a much bigger log),
 * American Ninja Warrior 4 in Southwest and Northwest regions,
 * American Ninja Warrior 6 in Denver,
 * American Ninja Warrior 7 in Houston, and
 * American Ninja Warrior 13 in QF EP 1 and 3.

However, for American Ninja Warrior 6 and American Ninja Warrior 7, competitors were not allowed to use their hands while crossing the log, lest they be disqualified in a similar manner to the Pipe Hold of Kunoichi.

During American Ninja Warrior 6's Denver finals, the obstacle was modified by adding a square barrier at the middle of the log. Eventually, this version of the Spinning Log returned on American Ninja Warrior 7, except the barrier's shape was changed to circular.

A modified version of this obstacle (known as the Broken Pipes) would later appear as the third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 9 in Kansas City.

The American Ninja Warrior 7 version of the Spinning Log returned on American Ninja Warrior 13, introduced as part of the Split Decision in the first and third episode of qualifiers. Competitors were given a chance to attempt either this obstacle or the Domino Effect. The obstacle took out eight competitors during the qualifiers' episode, including Thomas Stillings and Mathis Owhadi. At the end of the night, it took out just one more competitor than the Domino Effect (which took out seven competitors). During the third qualifiers' episode, only four competitors failed on it, including Brandon Mears and Bootie Cothran.

Ninja Warrior UK
The Spinning Log appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 3, Heat 5, and the semi-finals of Ninja Warrior UK 2, and then during the semi-finals on Ninja Warrior UK 3. For Ninja Warrior UK 4, however, the Spinning Log was moved to the eighth obstacle instead

Australian Ninja Warrior
On Australian Ninja Warrior, the Spinning Log first appeared as the third obstacle during the semi-finals, and then again in Stage One of the Finals (similar to the obstacle used during American Ninja Warrior 7's Houston course, known as the Spinning Log with Donut).

Then, for Australian Ninja Warrior 3, the Spinning Log re-appeared as the third obstacle in Stage One, and later during the first three rounds of qualifying for Australian Ninja Warrior: State of Origin.

SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia
In SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia 2017, the Spinning Log appeared as the second obstacle during Semifinal Stage 1. However, the log was made noticeably thicker than other variations, reminiscent of the Burasagari Maruta. As a result, it was extremely easy, as no competitor failed it.

During SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia: International Competition, the Spinning Log was made thinner and would swing more when the competitors attempted the obstacle. Despite that, there were once again no failures on the obstacle.

SASUKE Vietnam
From SASUKE Vietnam 4 to SASUKE Vietnam 5, the Spinning Log (dubbed locally as Cầu Quay) appeared as the third obstacle in Stage 1A, replacing the Goren Hammer from past two SASUKE Vietnam seasons.

The obstacle had a similar specification to the Spinning Log used on the Houston course of American Ninja Warrior 7, except here, the landing platform was bigger, and the position of the circular barrier was adjusted.

In its debut season, six competitors failed on this obstacle, including most shockingly, Takaharu Nakagawa. However, only one competitor failed the obstacle next season, Nguyễn Đức Hoàn.

Ninja Warrior Poland
On Ninja Warrior Poland 5, the Spinning Log appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heats. In Heat 1 and Heat 4 it was paired with the Swinging Spikes as part of the Route B of the Crossroads. In Heat 2 and Heat 6 it was paired with the Ring Jump as part of the Route A of the Crossroads. In Heat 3 and Heat 5 it was paired with the Monkey Peg as part of the Route A of the Crossroads. The length of the log was 7 meters. In Heat 1, each competitor who completed obstacle four chose the Spinning Log. Two competitors who failed in this obstacle advanced to the semi-finals.

Gallery
ぶら下がり丸太 下坡圓木