Ōdama (大玉), called Big Boulder in English broadcasts, is a First Stage obstacle introduced in SASUKE 8. It consisted of a simple large ball (2.7 metres in diameter), which competitors must step on to it from atop a higher platform to help them across a gap to the other side's platform, which is curved. To add difficulty, the ball was put against the starting platform, ensuring that competitors have the widest jump gap possible.
Although it can be cleared by taking two large leaps, due to the heavy rain that struck the course during its debut tournament, the slippery surface of the ball has taken down competitors if they step wrongly. It however had better success in SASUKE 9 due to better weather (although it shockingly took out Shane Kosugi in his final SASUKE appearance), which is probably one of the reasons it was replaced by Daasu Bridge in SASUKE 10.
Other Appearances[]
While Ōdama itself has never appeared on any of the modern formats of SASUKE, the concept of walking on a large ball floating in the water was controversially utilized in Kinniku Banzuke's Power Island event via the Rock Attack/Rock Valley areas, wherein competitors would have to catch a heavy rolling ball coming down a slope, before pushing it back up and then down into an adjacent waterway to create a bridge that would function similarly to Ōdama.
The controversy however, arose from a major design/safety issue in the concept, particularly at Rock Valley. The ball that was utilized was significantly smaller than Ōdama proper, and the downward gap was significantly higher and further away. This greater height, along with the course pathway design, created a severe falling hazard for competitors should they fall, in addition to the steep slope that the 50kg ball started at. Several competitors were injured at these two areas, in particular Isa Takunori, who was paralyzed after failing.
It can be assumed that the inherent safety issues associated with Ōdama and similar obstacle concepts were another factor in the obstacle's removal from the main SASUKE course and its lack of appearances in international formats.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS broadcast and external information found.
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 34 | 39 | 87.18% |
| 9 | 47 | 56 | 83.93% |
| Total | 81 | 95 | 85.26% |