Iron Paddler

Iron Paddler (アイアンパドラー) was a Third Stage obstacle first introduced as the second obstacle in SASUKE 28, replacing Flying Bar from the previous tournament. It consisted of a bar with two dips for handles held on a scaffolding by the competitors' waists, with a circular shape at the ends of the bar that revolve. To clear the obstacle, competitors must hold themselves up using the bar and roll it to the end of the 5.5-metre-long scaffolding using the handles, much like Arm Bike, except that the rolling bar was by the competitors' waists, thus being the first Third Stage obstacle to strain the triceps specifically. Also, when the competitors reached the other side of the obstacle, they could use the rigging on the sides of the obstacle to support themselves on the dismount, but touching the black part of the bar or the scaffolding would result in disqualification.

Although this was designed merely to be an energy waster due to the placement of Crazy Cliffhanger after this obstacle, it was very difficult on its own, as most competitors who cleared it showed signs of struggle throughout the obstacle. In fact, Morimoto Yūsuke had to rest for more than four minutes after clearing this obstacle in SASUKE 29, in which he took about 90 seconds alone to clear this obstacle, even shown signs of being thrown from the obstacle. However, after Takahashi Kenji's attempt in SASUKE 29, where he manage to clear the obstacle rather quickly without signs of fatigue, even only spent about five seconds on it, competitors began to understand how to clear, thus showed less signs of struggle with the obstacle since, prompting the producers to introduce Drum Hopper in SASUKE 30, which also focused on the competitors' triceps, making it a deadly combination to further drain energy prior to Crazy Cliffhanger.

However, due to its 100% clear rate, as well as Morimoto achieving Kanzenseiha in SASUKE 31, it was replaced its predecessor in the following tournament as part of the course's renewal.



Competitors' Success Rate

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

American Ninja Warrior
A variation of the Iron Paddler called the Rolling Steel, which was a hybrid of the obstacle itself and the Arm Bike, appeared as the ninth obstacle during Miami finals on American Ninja Warrior 5.

Competitors must move a similar bar from the Iron Paddler, with a similar fashion as the Arm Bike, on a track with upward incline.

Unlike the Iron Paddler (where the obstacle didn't eliminate any competitor who attempted it), the Rolling Steel eliminated 2 out of 10 competitors who attempted it (Grant David and Idoko Abuh).

Australian Ninja Warrior
On Australian Ninja Warrior 3, the Rolling Steel appeared as the fourth obstacle in every qualifying heat.

Similar to its appearance during Miami finals on American Ninja Warrior 5, the obstacle only eliminated a handful of competitors. During the broadcast, it eliminated Mel Armstrong in Heat 3 and Tatyanna Pogonza-Dumas in Heat 5. This obstacle returned on Australian Ninja Warrior 5 as the first obstacle in Stage Two. Competitors must move the bar in a 6.6 meter track to advance. Mainly being served as an energy waster, no one failed at this obstacle.

Ninja Warrior France
La Manivelle d'Acier, Ninja Warrior France's official name for the Iron Paddler, would appear in Ninja Warrior France 6 as the second obstacle of the Semifinals. This would have a greater angle in its track compared to its appearances from other competitions.

Competitors' Success Rate

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

アイアンパドラー 鐵人踏板