Giant Cubes

The Giant Cubes is an obstacle, firstly introduced on American Ninja Warrior 9 as the eighth obstacle during Daytona Beach finals.

After completing the Salmon Ladder, competitors had to go down a slanted pole and must hold on. After that, they must traverse to the first cube with ledges around it, in which they must make a long reach to grasp onto the ledge on the top of the first cube. From there, they must make a 6-foot transition from the first cube to the second cube, which was smaller and trapezoidal in shape. After that, they must traverse around the second cube, utilizing its ledges, and finally made a leap to the landing platform.

This obstacle was proven to be incredibly difficult, as it took out several competitors like Ryan Stratis, Reko Rivera, Nick Patel, Rigel Henry, Eddy Stewart, Michael Johnson, both Brazi Bros (Lucas Gomes and Alexio Gomes), Dustin Fishman, and Royall Eason. A total of 11 competitors failed on the obstacle, typically due to competitors struggling on the reach on the first cube or making the leap transition to the second cube.

A unique and interesting completion of this obstacle occurred during Daytona Beach finals, when Jessie Graff used an unorthodox way of making the transition to the second cube. Instead of making the leap transition to the second cube, she was doing the splits, by putting her left foot on the second cube, while her right foot was propped to the first cube, in order to make an easier transition, and making her completed the obstacle and going all the way to the Elevator Climb.

Later that night, Travis Rosen also tried her method on the transition and successfully completed this obstacle before ending one obstacle later. While on the other hand, Drew Drechsel tried her method on the transition, but failed to make it, despite being nearly the same height. Fortunately, he instead used the traditional method of transition by jumping from one cube to another, and cleared the obstacle, along with the course altogether.

American Ninja Warrior 10
On American Ninja Warrior 10, the Giant Cubes appeared as the eighth obstacle during Los Angeles finals. This time, the slanted pole was replaced with a trapezoidal board with a ledge around it (similar to the one used on the second cube of the obstacle).

Despite that, the obstacle was proven to be easier than during Daytona Beach finals on the previous season, as only 4 competitors fell on it: Anna Shumaker, Brock Taylor, Jesse Orenshein, and Joe Mardovich. Also, most of the competitors who completed the obstacle used Jessie Graff's technique while making the transition between the cubes, including Kevin Bull, Josh Levin, Nick Hanson, Grant McCartney, Tiana Webberley, Adam Rayl, Flip Rodriguez, and Sean Bryan.

Anna Shumaker also tried Jessie Graff’s technique, but failed to stretch far enough and fell on the obstacle.

Ninja Warrior Poland
In Ninja Warrior Poland 2, the Giant Cubes appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 6. The usual cube and the trapezoidal cube were arranged in sequence. This time, to get on the first cube, you had to climb the rope in front of it and go from there to it. Moreover, in Heat 2 one competitor was eliminated on this obstacle.

Ninja Israel
In Ninja Warrior Israel 2, the Giant Cubes appeared in the final as the third obstacle in Stage Two. This version was similar to the one used on the American Ninja Warrior 10, with a trapezoidal board with 2 extra ledges in a similar fashion to the Cliffhanger.

In Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Giant Cubes reappeared in the final as the third obstacle in Stage Two.

Competitors' Success Rate

 * All results based on the NBC broadcast and external information found