Burasagari Maruta (ぶら下がり丸太), called Log Dangle (SASUKE 1)/Spinning Log (SASUKE 2) in English broadcasts, was a First Stage obstacle in the first two SASUKE tournaments.
The obstacle consisted of a log, 30 cm (1 ft) in diameter and 3.6 metres (11.81 feet) long, which a competitor must cross like a balance beam, while the log spun on its axis. Competitors could try to run, walk, or slide across the log or to use hands and feet to help crossing the log, with the former being a faster but riskier approach, while the latter is a safer but significantly slower approach.
Inoue Kiyomi attempting Burasagari Maruta
in SASUKE 1
It was a fairly easy obstacle, eliminating only nine competitors, although one of them notably was the first ever competitor to wear #100, Kawashima Hiroshi. Its high clear rate prompts the producers to replace the obstacle with the harder and more iconic Rolling Maruta in SASUKE 3, which would remain in First Stage until Nagano Makoto's Kanzenseiha in SASUKE 17.
A similar version of this obstacle was also used in KUNOICHI tournaments, called Kaiten Tsutsu. The major distinction being that the log was not on a higher elevation connected by bars, instead connected directly to the two platforms. Later, a similar version returned in KUNOICHI 2017 Spring, named Pipe Hold, although interestingly, unlike in SASUKE, competitors weren't allowed to stand on the log, possibly for safety reasons. A similar obstacle was also used as the second obstacle in the Finals of SASUKE 17 Trials, known there as Ipponbashi (not to be confused with Ipponbashi that was used in SASUKE 12).
Other Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior[]
Variations on the Burasagari Maruta appeared in various American Ninja Warrior tournaments:
- American Ninja Warrior 1 (renamed the Barrel Roll, or Rolling Barrel),
- American Ninja Warrior 4 in Southwest and Northwest regions,
- American Ninja Warrior 6 in Denver,
- American Ninja Warrior 7 in Houston, and
- American Ninja Warrior 13 in QF EP 1 and 3.
American Ninja Warrior 1's Barrel Roll
During American Ninja Warrior 1, the log was made much bigger and rotated at a much slower speed (sometimes nearly not moving at all). As a result, this obstacle didn't make any damage to competitors.
American Ninja Warrior 4's Spinning Log in Southwest and Northwest regions
From American Ninja Warrior 4, the log was 20 feet (6.096 meters) long and was made to be similar to Kaiten Tsutsu from KUNOICHI, with a thin log connected directly to the two platforms. This version returned on American Ninja Warrior 6's Denver qualifiers, however; competitors were not allowed to use their hands while crossing the log, otherwise they would be disqualified in a similar manner to the Pipe Hold of KUNOICHI.
American Ninja Warrior 6's Spinning Log
Then, on American Ninja Warrior 6's Denver finals, the log retained the same length as two seasons ago but was given a square foam barrier at the middle of it. This change caused one competitor, David Schwartz, to fail at this obstacle.
American Ninja Warrior 7's Spinning Log
This version of the Spinning Log returned on American Ninja Warrior 7's Houston city qualifiers and finals, except the barrier's shape was changed to circular. This version of the obstacle was 18 feet (5.49 meters) long.
Competitors were still not allowed to use their hands while crossing the log during these two seasons.
A modified version of this obstacle (known as the Broken Pipes) appeared as the third obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 9 in Kansas City.
American Ninja Warrior 13's Spinning Log
The American Ninja Warrior 7 version of the Spinning Log later returned on American Ninja Warrior 13, introduced as part of the Split Decision in the first and third episode of qualifiers. Competitors were given a chance to attempt either this obstacle or the Domino Effect. The obstacle took out eight competitors during the qualifiers' episode, including Thomas Stillings and Mathis Owhadi. At the end of the night, it took out just one more competitor than the Domino Effect (which took out seven competitors). During the third qualifiers' episode, only four competitors failed on it, including Brandon Mears and Bootie Cothran.
Ninja Warrior UK[]
Ninja Warrior UK 4's Spinning Log
The Spinning Log appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 3, Heat 5, and the semi-finals of Ninja Warrior UK 2, and was 6m (19.69 feet) long, and then during the semi-finals on Ninja Warrior UK 3. For Ninja Warrior UK 4, however, the Spinning Log was moved to the eighth obstacle instead.
Ninja Warrior France[]
Ninja Warrior France 1's Spinning Log
Spinning Log, locally called La Poutre Infernale (literally The Infernal Beam), appeared as the third obstacle of Heat 2 of Ninja Warrior France 1.
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
Australian Ninja Warrior's Spinning Log
Australian Ninja Warrior 3's Log Dash
Australian Ninja Warrior 6's Log Dash
The Spinning Log version from American Ninja Warrior 4 appeared:
- as the third obstacle during the semi-finals on Australian Ninja Warrior,
- as the third obstacle in Stage One on Australian Ninja Warrior 3, it was 6m long,
- during the first three rounds of qualifying for Australian Ninja Warrior: State of Origin, and
- as the third obstacle during the semi-finals on Australian Ninja Warrior 6 (renamed as Log Dash). The length of the log was increased to 7m (22.97ft). More importantly, the log is stationary and does not spin.
Australian Ninja Warrior's Spinning Log with Donut
While on Australian Ninja Warrior 1, the version used during American Ninja Warrior 7's Houston course appeared as the third obstacle in Stage One, renamed as the Spinning Log with Donut. The barrier was placed two-thirds of the way along the log.
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia[]
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia 2017's Spinning Log in Semifinal Stage 1
In SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia 2017, the Spinning Log appeared as the second obstacle during Semifinal Stage 1. However, the log was made noticeably thicker than other variations, reminiscent of the Burasagari Maruta. As a result, it was extremely easy, as no competitor failed it.
During SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia: International Competition, the Spinning Log was made thinner and would swing more when the competitors attempted the obstacle. Despite that, there were once again no failures on the obstacle.
SASUKE Vietnam[]
SASUKE Vietnam 4's Spinning Log
On SASUKE Vietnam 4 and SASUKE Vietnam 5, the Spinning Log, locally called Cầu Quay (literally Spin Bridge, not to be confused with Spin Bridge) appeared as the third obstacle in Stage 1A, replacing the Goren Hammer from past two SASUKE Vietnam seasons.
The obstacle had a similar specification to the Spinning Log used on the Houston course of American Ninja Warrior 7, except here, the landing platform was bigger, and the position of the circular barrier was adjusted.
In its debut season, six competitors failed on this obstacle, including most shockingly, Takaharu Nakagawa. However, only one competitor failed the obstacle next season, Nguyễn Đức Hoàn.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
Ninja Warrior Poland 5's Spinning Log
On Ninja Warrior Poland 5, the Spinning Log appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heats. In Heat 1 and Heat 4, it was paired with the Swinging Spikes as part of the Route B of the Crossroads. In Heat 2 and Heat 6, it was paired with the Ring Jump as part of the Route A of the Crossroads. In Heat 3 and Heat 5, it was paired with the Monkey Peg as part of the Route A of the Crossroads. The length of the log was 7 meters. In Heat 1, each competitor who completed obstacle four chose the Spinning Log. Two competitors who failed in this obstacle advanced to the semi-finals.
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
Ninja Warrior Austria 1's Spinning Log
Spinning Log was the third obstacle of Heat 1 & 4 in Ninja Warrior Austria 1.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 1's Spinning Log
Spinning Log appeared as the third obstacle of Preliminary Rounds 1 & 4 of Ninja Warrior Germany 1.
Ninja Israel[]
Ninja Israel's Spinning Log
On Ninja Warrior Israel, the Spinning Log, literally translated בול העץ המסתובב appeared as the third obstacle in the Semifinals.
Ninja Israel 2's Spinning Log
Then, on Ninja Warrior Israel 2, the Spinning Log appeared as the fifth obstacle in Semifinal 2 and Semifinal 4.
Trivia[]
- On SASUKE Vietnam, the Spinning Log shared the same local name as the Spin Bridge (as Cầu Quay).
- On Ninja Warrior UK, the Broken Pipes was called as Spinning Log.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS broadcast and external information found.
SASUKE[]
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 80 | 84 | 95.24% |
| 2 | 64 | 69 | 92.75% |
| Total | 144 | 153 | 94.12% |
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