Quad Steps

Quad Steps (クワッドステップス) is a First Stage obstacle that was introduced in SASUKE 32 as the first obstacle, relocating Rolling Hill to the second obstacle. Similar to Godantobi and all of the obstacles that use its concept in the past, competitors had to traverse a series steps to clear this obstacle, with the number of steps on this obstacle being four, with the steps being covered with red mat and a bit of black shading on the edges of the steps. The width of the steps was later revealed via a 360Channel trailer for SASUKE 33 as 90 cm, which is 30 cm wider than Godantobi's steps.

However, unlike the past obstacles to use this concept, this obstacle connects directly to another obstacle instead of a landing platform, which is Rolling Hill, making the transition between these two obstacles harder. A safety mat is placed between Quad Steps and Rolling Hill to catch competitors that roll down the hill. However, it is off limits to touch when transitioning between the two obstacles, though stepping on them unintentionally may not result to disqualification. Also, competitors are not allowed to skip a footing and only attempt either the left or right side of the obstacle or they will be disqualified, as what happened to HAYATE on SASUKE 34, though this is unverified.

It is worth to mention that 'Quad', when translated into Katakana, can be written as クアッド (Kuaddo) or クワッド (Kuwaddo), the official term was written as クワッド (Kuwaddo), it will be used as it is then.

There have been few minor aesthetic modifications to the obstacle. First, in SASUKE 33, the steps were now covered with black mat, removing all the red shading from the obstacle.

Then, in SASUKE 34, the steps were now covered with light-blue mat and a red arrow was painted on each of the steps.

In SASUKE 38, the obstacle has a black towel placed on top of the steps, likely to make the obstacle easier to be cleaned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While the clear rate is very high, several notable competitors has failed this obstacle, like Kishimoto Shinya in SASUKE 33, Mori Wataru in SASUKE 34, and Yamada Katsumi in SASUKE 39.

Competitors' Success Rate

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

American Ninja Warrior
The original incarnation of Quad Steps first appeared as the first obstacle in American Ninja Warrior 2 and American Ninja Warrior 3 in qualifying and semifinal, and then in American Ninja Warrior 4 in every qualifying region. During its overall appearances, the obstacle had taken out a lot of competitors, including:
 * Jamie Rahn and James McGrath on their first American Ninja Warrior appearances during American Ninja Warrior 2's qualifying,
 * Shane Daniels and Trevor Vaughn during American Ninja Warrior 3's qualifying,
 * Levi Meeuwenberg during American Ninja Warrior 4's Southwest region qualifiers, which would lead to his retirement from the competition, and
 * Michael Needham during American Ninja Warrior 4's Northeast region finals.

In American Ninja Warrior 5, it was replaced by the Quintuple Steps in every qualifying city. Later, Quintuple Steps was replaced by Floating Steps in American Ninja Warrior 8.

Ninja Warrior UK
Quad Steps appeared as the first obstacle in the finals' Stage 1 in Ninja Warrior UK 3, and was called Quadruple Steps.

Australian Ninja Warrior
In Australian Ninja Warrior 2, Quad Steps appeared as the first obstacle during the semifinals and Stage One. Similar to its appearance in Ninja Warrior UK 3, the obstacle was called Quadruple Steps.

Quadruple Steps during the semifinals is the one similar to Quintuple Steps used in the Heats, albeit the first step is removed, requiring competitors to jump a greater distance towards the first step.

Ninja Warrior Germany
The Quad Steps would also make an appearance in Ninja Warrior Germany as the first obstacle in various Heats.

クワッドステップス 步步驚心