Domino Effect

Domino Effect is an obstacle, firstly introduced as part of the Split Decision in the first episode of qualifiers on American Ninja Warrior 13.

The concept of this obstacle is similar to the Domino Hill, where competitors must run over five dominoes that vary in height to reach the landing platform. The first two dominoes were level in height, while the next three dominoes were taller, with the fourth domino being lower than the third and last domino by a few inches. However, the dominoes are much smaller and thicker, closely resembling the shape of an actual domino piece. In addition, they were spread far apart that they wouldn't hit each other. In addition, the dominoes would spin and possibly topple over, making it also similar to the Domino Pipes.

In its first appearance in American Ninja Warrior 13's qualifiers, this obstacle was paired with the Spinning Log as part of the Split Decision. It would appear in both the first and third qualifier rounds:

In the first qualifier round, the obstacle took out 7 competitors: Jeri D'Aurelio, Chynna Hart, Cody McCloud, Ben Wilson, Christie Brophy, Maggi Thorne, and Emmanuel Aouad. Between this obstacle and its other option in Split Decision, this obstacle took out just one less competitor than the Spinning Log (which took out eight competitors).
In the third episode, however, more competitors failed this obstacle than the Spinning Log. A total of 8 competitors failed the obstacle, including Brad Lynn, Michelle Warnky-Buurma, Grace Sims, Elena Borges, and Andrew Naquin. The obstacle took out double the amount of competitors as opposed to that of the Spinning Log (which took out four competitors in total).

Other Season Appearances[]

American Ninja Warrior 14[]

Domino Effect returned on American Ninja Warrior 14 once again as part of the Split Decision in the first and second episodes of qualifiers.

In both appearances this season, the obstacle was paired with the Serpent:

In the first qualifier round, 7 competitors failed in the first qualifier round, including Grace Sims, Glenn Davis, Michael Neuman, Chad Thornhill, Peyton Glover, Becky Adnot-Haynes, and Megan Budway. The obstacle also had significantly more attempts as opposed to the other Split Decision option, as only 6 competitors that made it to Split Decision opted to not take on the obstacle, vowing to instead attempt Serpent.
In the second qualifier round, another 7 competitors failed in the second qualifier round, including Quinn Nguyen, Ace Goodson, Zac Palazzo, Josh Squire, Ibrahim Hayek, Aly Merto, and McKinley Pierce. More competitors still chose to take on the obstacle, but there were more attempts on the other option compared to Qualifier 1.

American Ninja Warrior 15[]

Domino Effect returned on American Ninja Warrior 15. This time, the obstacle appeared as an individual obstacle. It appeared during the first, second, fifth and sixth qualifier episodes.

Between all four qualifier rounds this season, this obstacle took out a grand total of sixteen competitors:

In the first qualifier round, 7 competitors failed the obstacle: Brian Kretsch, Ramcis Valdez, Avery Glantz, Alan Connealy, Geoff Snyder, Lucio Battista, and Desmond Odom (who previously failed Domino Hill, a similar obstacle, back in ANW 5).
In the second qualifier round, Steven Bachta and Josh Ferguson were the only 2 competitors to fail the obstacle.
In the fifth qualifier round, though he was the only competitor to fail the obstacle, Donovan Metoyer was shockingly eliminated by the obstacle.
In the sixth qualifier round, 6 competitors failed the obstacle: Logan Broadbent, Daniel Novarro, David Fleming, Nicholas Roalef, Andy Friedman, and once again, Michelle Warnky-Buurma.

Other Appearances[]

Australian Ninja Warrior[]

In Australian Ninja Warrior 6, the Domino Effect appeared as the third obstacle of the heats. Compared to its appearance on American Ninja Warrior, the fourth domino was raised as high as the third domino.

In Heat 1, it proved to be a challenge, becoming the cut-off for advancing to the semifinals. five competitors eliminated by this obstacle, including Sam Goodall.

In Heat 2, it continued proving to be a challenge, becoming the cut-off yet again. Notable competitors wiped out by this obstacle included Evan Williams.

Ninja Warrior France[]

On Ninja Warrior France 7, Domino Effect (Les Dominos) appeared as the first obstacle of Stage One. It consisted of five dominoes of the same height and as many as one ninja failed it in a digested performance.

Ninja Warrior Germany[]

On Ninja Warrior Germany 7, Domino Effect (Dominosteine) appeared as the fourth obstacle of Preliminary Rounds 1, 2, and 4. There were five dominoes at the same height.

On Ninja Warrior Germany 9, Domino Effect reappeared as the fourth obstacle for Split Decision in the first three preliminaries rounds with the same modifications as its previous appearance with it being paired with Swinging Frames, Double Tilt Ladder, and Cycle Road.

Ninja Israel[]

In Ninja Warrior Israel 5, the Domino Effect (literally translated as אפקט הדומינו) appeared as the fourth obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 7. This time, all the dominoes were placed at the same level.

In Heat 2, the obstacle was very easy, as all 10 competitors attempted and cleared it. However, in Heat 7, the obstacle proved to be a challenge, becoming the cut-off for advancing to the semifinals, as it eliminated three out of 10 competitors who attempted it.

Competitors' Success Rate[]

All results based on the NBC/Keshet 12 broadcast and external information found

ANW	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
ANW15 (Qualifier 1)	15	22	68.18%
ANW15 (Qualifier 2)	14	16	87.50%
ANW15 (Qualifier 5)	16	17	94.12%
ANW15 (Qualifier 6)	14	20	70%
Total	59	75	78.67%

Ninja Israel[]

NWI	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
NWI5 (Heat 2)	10	10	100%
NWI5 (Heat 7)	7	10	70%
Total	17	20	85%

Trivia[]

This obstacle is named after the term "domino effect", meaning a chain reaction or action that causes multiple following actions, like a domino.