The Crazy Clocks is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the eighth obstacle during Miami finals on American Ninja Warrior 10.
Competitors must turn two handles on a clock-shaped pivot. One handle would turn clockwise and the other would turn counterclockwise. After that, they must lache to a horseshoe-shaped ledge (in a similar shape to the ledges on the Fly Wheels), then lache to the handles on the second clock-shaped pivot, which was placed on a 5° incline. They must then turn its handles in the same process as the first pivot and dismount to the landing platform.
During Miami finals, this obstacle proved to be a difficult challenge. Out of 14 competitors, only five made it past the obstacle: Ryan Stratis, Brett Sims, Kenny Niemitalo, Drew Drechsel, and Jessie Graff. On the other hand, some notable competitors, such as Neil Craver, Bootie Cothran, Casey Suchocki, Rachael Goldstein, Michael Johnson, and R.J. Roman failed on it. All nine competitors who failed struggled on the transition to the horseshoe ledge, as the handles on the first clock would move back when they attempted the lache.
Later on the same season, the Crazy Clocks reappeared as the third obstacle in Stage Three, replacing the Nail Clipper from the previous season. This time, there was no horseshoe between the handles. As a result, no competitor fell on the obstacle; both Sean Bryan and Drew Drechsel — the only two competitors to reach Stage Three — could complete it. However, due to the fact that both of them later failed on the next obstacle (the Ultimate Cliffhanger), the Crazy Clocks became the cutoff to determine which competitor became the Last Man Standing of the season. Since Drew Drechsel was able to complete the obstacle faster than Sean Bryan, he was then declared as the Last Man Standing and won the US$100,000 cash prize.
Other Season Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior 11[]
On American Ninja Warrior 11, the Crazy Clocks appeared as the eighth obstacle during Oklahoma City finals. This time, the horseshoe was replaced with a small wavy-shaped board, similar to one of the boards on the Unstable Bridge.
This time, there were more attempts on the obstacle, with 23 competitors attempting it. A total of 12 competitors fell on the obstacle, including Maggi Thorne, Barclay Stockett, Brent Steffensen, Abel Gonzalez, Josh Norton, and Tremayne Dortch. The Crazy Clocks later became the cutoff for advancing to the National Finals on the regular leaderboard, as only two competitors that failed on this obstacle advanced due having the fastest time out of every competitor that failed Crazy Clocks.
Later on the same season, the Crazy Clocks returned as the third obstacle in Stage Three, with the same specifications as the previous season. Once again, the obstacle didn't eliminate any competitor.
American Ninja Warrior 13[]
On American Ninja Warrior 13, the Crazy Clocks appeared as the eighth obstacle during the fourth episode of the Semifinals. While it was identical to American Ninja Warrior 11's Oklahoma City finals. It had a similar aesthetic to American Ninja Warrior 10's Crazy Clocks.
26 competitors attempted this obstacle, and 17 managed to clear it. This was mainly due to the fact that the front half of the Semifinals course was considerably less upper-body intensive compared to previous seasons. There were some shocking fails on the obstacle, including Flip Rodriguez, Ethan Swanson, and Cal Plohoros. Other competitors who failed it include Roo Yori, Kyle Schulze, and John Mack.
Like the Diving Boards, the obstacle did not return in the National Finals due to its zero knockout rate and was replaced by Up for Grabs.
American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 2[]
On American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 2, the Crazy Clocks appeared as the eighth obstacle on the Semifinals course. Compared to the American Ninja Warrior 13 Semifinals Course, there were a couple of changes to make the obstacle easier:
- There were footholds placed immediately following the Salmon Ladder, allowing competitors to rest their hands before attempting the obstacle
- The hanging board was replaced with a stationary lache bar, similar to the Corkscrew during the original American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship.
As a result of these changes, no competitor failed the Crazy Clocks.
Other Appearances[]
Ninja Warrior France[]
In Ninja Warrior France 4, Crazy Clocks (L'Écarteur) appeared as the fourth obstacle in Stage One. It had a moving horseshoe ledge (compared to American Ninja Warrior).
it was brutal on the stage as it eliminated 10 competitors, with most failing the jump to the second clock.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
On Ninja Warrior Germany 4, the Crazy Clocks, locally called Zeit-Sprung (literally Time Leap) appeared as the fourth and penultimate obstacle in the seventh and final Semi-finals Qualification, with its function being similar to the one used during Miami finals on American Ninja Warrior 10. The obstacle was very brutal, as it eliminated four out of eight competitors who attempted it, including René Casselly.
On Ninja Warrior Germany 5, Crazy Clocks appeared as the seventh obstacle in Preliminary Round 6, a lache bar was placed a the start. And the second clock was angled slightly downwards instead of up.
Ninja Israel[]
On Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Crazy Clocks, literally translated השעון המשוגע appeared as the seventh obstacle in the Finals' Stage One, with its function being similar to the one used in the Stage Three of American Ninja Warrior, except that there was a laché as a medium to reach the first clock. Due to the time limit in the Stage One and more competitors attempted it than the Stage Three in American Ninja Warrior 10 and American Ninja Warrior 11, the obstacle was more brutal than American Ninja Warrior, as it eliminated five out of 24 competitors who attempted it.
Then, on Ninja Warrior Israel 4, the Crazy Clocks appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 2, Heat 8 and Heat 11, with its function being similar to the one used during Miami finals on American Ninja Warrior 10, except that there was a rope and a laché as a medium to reach the first clock due to the obstacle was not preceded by any obstacle with no rest.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the NBC/Keshet 12 broadcast and external information found.
American Ninja Warrior[]
ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|
ANW10 (finals) | 5 | 14 | 35.71% |
ANW10 (Stage Three) | 2 | 2 | 100% |
ANW11 (finals) | 11 | 23 | 47.83% |
ANW11 (Stage Three) | 17 | 17 | 100% |
ANW13 | 17 | 26 | 65.38% |
Women's Championship 2 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
USA vs. The World 5 | 2 | 2 | 100% |
USA vs. The World 6 | 3 | 3 | 100% |
Total | 61 | 91 | 67.03% |
Ninja Israel[]
NWI | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|
NWI3 | 19 | 24 | 79.16% |
NWI4 (Heat 2) | 2 | 2 | 100% |
NWI4 (Heat 8) | 3 | 4 | 75% |
NWI4 (Heat 11) | ? | ? | ? |
Total | ? | ? | ? |
Trivia[]
- Drew Drechsel was the first competitor to complete both versions of the Crazy Clocks on American Ninja Warrior 10, as he completed it during Miami finals and Stage Three. Coincidentally, he failed both obstacles that came after the Crazy Clocks (the Stair Hopper during Miami finals and Ultimate Cliffhanger in Stage Three).
- One season later (American Ninja Warrior 11), three competitors had completed both versions of the Crazy Clocks: Daniel Gil, Mathis Owhadi, and Karsten Williams completed the obstacle during Oklahoma City finals and on Stage Three.