SASUKE ASEAN Open Cup 2014

The SASUKE Sports Association Malaysia in cooperation with the Malaysian Ministry of Youth and Sports announced the first ever SASUKE ASEAN Open Cup 2014, a four-day international event which took place from February 20 to 23, 2014 at Kelana Jaya Stadium, Malaysia.

The SASUKE ASEAN Open Cup is a celebration of 40 years of diplomatic relations between Japan and the countries of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). Competitors from all around the region and the world are invited to join in this international event.

Temporary Postponement
An announcement that the Open Cup will happen took place in February 27, 2013. Originally called as the SASUKE ASEAN Open Cup 2013, it was supposed to take place in late November of 2013 in the same venue. This is what led to the reason that SASUKE 29 became the Japanese qualifiers for the Open Cup.

However, on October 2013, due to unforeseen circumstances, it was announced the event was postponed. But two months later, it was then rescheduled to February 2014.

Schedule
The Open Cup consists of three major events throughout the span of four days: Qualifying, Main Event, and the National Team Event.

Malaysian Qualifying: Thursday, February 20, 2014

Open International Qualifying: Friday, February 21, 2014

Open Cup Main Event (Individual):  Saturday, February 22, 2014

National Team Event: Sunday, February 23, 2014

Qualifying
The first two days of the Open Cup serves as qualifying for competitors to compete the Open Cup Main Event that took place the following day. The first day is for the Malaysians and the second day is for the international competitors. Competitors are to attempt the Rokudantobi and have to run about 60 meters. The top 100 times will advance to the Individual Main Event.

Individual Main Event
The third day features the Open Cup Main Event. Over 100 competitors attempt 3 different kinds of stages, named Jump, Power, and Hang Stage. The top three fastest times from each Stage will receive a cash prize:


 * Third place will receive RM1000 (approximately USD 305),
 * Second place will receive RM2000, and
 * First place will receive RM3000.

Team Main Event
The final day of the Open Cup features the National Team Event. Seven teams of five from seven different countries (Japan, USA, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Brunei) compete through the three stages. The fastest accumulated time among the middle three competitors of each team, with the top and bottom times of each team not recorded, will gain points in each of the stages. The team with the highest points wins the competition. The first to third places will receive medals. In addition, a plaque is given to the champion of the event.

Stages
All throughout the Individual and Team Events, competitors must face these three stages, named Jump, Power, and Hang Stage. All stages are happening at the same time, this is for all competitors to attempt all stages at a faster rate. If competitors fail at some point in one of the stages, a 30-second penalty was added to the competitor's finished time.

Obstacles
① Spider Walk

② Ni Ren Soritatsu Kabe

Maximum Time Limit: 270 seconds

Obstacles
① Gallon Throw

② Wall Lifting

Maximum Time Limit: 330 seconds

Obstacles
① Devil Steps

② Unstable Bridge

③ Lamp Grasper

④ Cliffhanger

Maximum Time Limit: 480 seconds

Overall Rankings
'''*-In the SASUKE 30 Navi, it is recorded that Team Japan had 18 points. Due to lack of full information, there is no definite reason as to why this happened.'''