Doorknob Grasper (ドアノブグラスパー), called Doorknob Grasp in English broadcasts, was a Third Stage obstacle first introduced in SASUKE 25, replacing Rope Junction from the previous tournament. Directly succeeding Roulette Cylinder, it consisted of four stationary doorknobs, protruding from a wall. The competitors must transfer from the cylinder to the first doorknob, then make it all the way to the fourth doorknob. Each doorknob would have the tendency to rotate when the competitors grabbed on them, making it difficult to transfer from one doorknob to the other.
Hashimoto Kōji attempting Doorknob Grasper in SASUKE 25
Hashimoto Kōji attempting Doorknob Grasper in SASUKE 25, viewed from close range
Only two competitors have failed at this obstacle, Brian Orosco in SASUKE 25 and Paul Kasemir in SASUKE 26, both interestingly being Americans. Possibly due to its high rate, this and Roulette Cylinder were replaced by the returning Arm Bike in SASUKE 27.
Other Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior[]
American Ninja Warrior 4's Doorknob Grasper in Stage Three
The Doorknob Grasper appeared as the second obstacle in Stage Three from American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 7. On American Ninja Warrior 4 and American Ninja Warrior 5, the obstacle had a similar specification from SASUKE version.
American Ninja Warrior 6's Doorknob Grasper in Stage Three
On American Ninja Warrior 6 and American Ninja Warrior 7, the obstacle was modified with five doorknobs, and the doorknobs were positioned in an inverted "V" pattern. The first three doorknobs were stationary, and the last two doorknobs were prone to spin. Also, the gap to cross between each doorknob was 2.5 feet (76.2 centimeters).
Just like in SASUKE, the Doorknob Grasper was directly preceded an obstacle with no rest:
- On American Ninja Warrior 4 and American Ninja Warrior 5, the obstacle was preceded by the Roulette Cylinder.
- On American Ninja Warrior 6, the obstacle was preceded by the Cannonball Incline.
- On American Ninja Warrior 7, the obstacle was preceded by the Psycho Chainsaw.
During its overall appearances on American Ninja Warrior, just like in SASUKE, only two competitors have failed at this obstacle (Travis Weinand on American Ninja Warrior 5 and Kawaguchi Tomohiro during USA vs. The World 2).
On American Ninja Warrior 8, both the Psycho Chainsaw and Doorknob Grasper were replaced by the Keylock Hang.
Other doorknob derivative obstacles would later appear in American Ninja Warrior, such as Doorknob Arch in American Ninja Warrior 6 and Doorknob Drop in American Ninja Warrior 10.
Ninja Warrior UK[]
Ninja Warrior UK's Doorknob Grasper
On Ninja Warrior UK, the Doorknob Grasper appeared as the fourth obstacle during the finals' Stage Two. The obstacle spanned 4m across and the number of doorknobs was increased to five, but the doorknobs were arranged in a straight line (similar to the obstacle used in SASUKE, and then on American Ninja Warrior 4 and American Ninja Warrior 5). Only one ninja made it to the obstacle and was able to complete it. It was replaced by the Cycle Road in the next season.
Ninja Warrior Denmark[]
Ninja Warrior Denmark's Doorknob Grasper
Doorknob Grasper appeared in Ninja Warrior Denmark, serving as the fourth obstacle of Stage Two.
Ninja Warrior France[]
Ninja Warrior France's Doorknob Grasper
Doorknob Grasper appeared in Ninja Warrior France 1 as the second obstacle of Stage Two. It uses the same layout as the Ninja Warrior UK 1 version and it didn't eliminate anyone.
Ninja Warrior France 2's Doorknob Grasper
This identical version reappeared in Ninja Warrior France 2, as the fourth obstacle of Stage Two. This time it directly followed the Roulette Cylinder with no rest and this time it eliminated one ninja, Loris Toniol on the transition to the fifth doorknob. It was replaced by the Helix Hang in the next season.
Ninja Warrior Turkey[]
Ninja Warrior Turkey's Doorknob Grasper in Stage Two
The Doorknob Grasper appeared in Ninja Warrior Turkey as the fourth obstacle of Stage Two. It retains the same layout as in Ninja Warrior UK, but with a rope at the end of the obstacle.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 3's Doorknob Grasper
The Doorknob Grasper (Hangelknöpfen, literally Hanging Knobs) appeared as the third obstacle of Stage Two in Ninja Warrior Germany, preceded with the previous obstacle Roulette Cylinder with no rest, with a similar configuration to the one in Ninja Warrior UK. It was replaced by the Double Salmon Ladder in the next season.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS/NBC broadcast and external information found.
SASUKE[]
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 | 4 | 5 | 80% |
| 26 | 4 | 5 | 80% |
| Total | 8 | 10 | 80% |
American Ninja Warrior[]
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW4 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| ANW5 | 4 | 5 | 80% |
| ANW6 | 2 | 2 | 100% |
| ANW7 | 8 | 8 | 100% |
| USA vs. Japan | 8 | 8 | 100% |
| USA vs. The World | 7 | 7 | 100% |
| USA vs. The World 2 | 8 | 9 | 88.89% |
| Total | 38 | 40 | 95% |
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||