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ANW12 Falling Shelves

American Ninja Warrior 12's Falling Shelves

The Falling Shelves is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the third obstacle during the finals on American Ninja Warrior 12.

This obstacle consists of a mini-tramp and three X-shaped frames with a pair of small Cliffhanger ledges attached on each frame. Each frame was also called a shelf. The first and third shelves locked in place after they dropped down (although the third did require competitors to take one extra swing before locking in place), while the second shelf was free-swinging. Competitors must jump on that mini tramp, plant their hands on the first shelf, and hold on as it drops down. They must then make the lache to another shelf and absorb that drop, then make a blind grab to the third shelf (similar to the Leaps of Faith or Angry Birds) 4.5 feet away. Finally, they must make a dismount to the landing platform.

Despite being just the third obstacle, the obstacle eliminated seven competitors, more than any other obstacle in the finals. Its victims included Chris DiGangi, Jackson Twait, and David Wright. Most competitors who failed on this obstacle were unable to make the blind transition to the final set of handles. It was also notable for taking out three of the four women in the finals: Jeri D'Aurelio, Sandy Zimmerman, and Jessie Graff. The only woman to complete the obstacle was Jesse Labreck, who went on to complete the course.

An interesting failure happened during Thomas Stillings's run. He attempted to make a hand-over-hand transition to the third shelf by planting one hand on the third shelf while having his other hand on the second shelf. However, he ended up letting go of the third shelf and causing it to swing back and forth. He then attempted and failed to make the blind grab.

A very similar obstacle named the Swing Edge would later appear in SASUKE 39's Third Stage, replacing the Planet Bridge.

Other Season Appearances[]

American Ninja Warrior 13[]

Falling Shelves - Stage 2 - ANW13

American Ninja Warrior 13's Falling Shelves in Stage Two

On American Ninja Warrior 13, the Falling Shelves reappeared as the sixth and final obstacle of Stage Two, replacing the Water Walls from its past two recent appearances. This time, the obstacle featured four shelves. The first two shelves would lock into place, the third was free-swinging, and the fourth was free-swinging and required a blind grab.

It proved to be a brutal final obstacle, taking out six competitors: including Elijah Browning, Josiah Pippel, Mike Silenzi, Sean Bryan, Adam Rayl, and Jake Murray. Every competitor who failed on this obstacle lost their grip on the blind grab. Only four competitors could complete the obstacle and subsequently finish Stage Two: Vance Walker, Austin Gray, Kyle Soderman, and Kaden Lebsack.

Ironically, Jake Murray and Adam Rayl were able to complete the obstacle successfully during the previous year.

American Ninja Warrior 14[]

On American Ninja Warrior 14, the Falling Shelves appeared as the sixth and final obstacle of Stage Two, with almost the same configuration as in the previous season. The only change was that the final shelf could lock in place if competitors chose to force it forward. Most competitors who completed this obstacle chose not to lock it into place, but a few competitors, such as Josh Levin (hitting his first Stage Two buzzer) and Matt D'Amico, proved that the final shelf could be locked into place on their way to the buzzer.

This time around, competitors had far more success on this obstacle. Only Tyler Yamauchi failed on the obstacle at the blind transition; while Flip Rodriguez (hitting his first Stage Two buzzer), R.J. Roman, Jay Lewis, Cam Baumgartner, Max Feinberg, Kaden Lebsack, Ethan Bartnicki, and Nate Hansen were able to complete the obstacle and finish Stage Two, including Josiah Pippel, who failed it on the previous season.

For Flip Rodriguez and R.J. Roman, they were the first and second to conquer both versions of the Falling Shelves while Kaden Lebsack became the first to conquer the Las Vegas version twice.

American Ninja Warrior: Womenโ€™s Championship 3[]

On the American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 3, it returned once again as the sixth obstacle of Stage Two where it had a small modification, it was attempted by Katie Bone and conquered it by her.

American Ninja Warrior 15[]

Falling Shelves (ANW15)

American Ninja Warrior 15's Falling Shelves

On American Ninja Warrior 15, the Falling Shelves appeared as the sixth and final obstacle of Stage Two, with no changes made whatsoever aside from another set of shelves being added due to the head-to-head format. As such, there were instances where competitors would fail the obstacle due to rushing due to the nature of Stage Two being a side-by-side course,

This time, five competitors failed on this obstacle: Vance Walker, Kyle Soderman, Ethan Bartnicki, Jonathan Bange, and most notably, Daniel Gil but forAustin Gray, R.J. Roman, Hans Hertz, Noah Meunier,Nacssa Garemore, Jera Boyd, and Elijah Browning, it was a final march to the buzzer as all their other ninjas had fallen earlier on the course. But for the Caleb Bergstrom vs Kyle Soderman race, it was the deciding factor.

Vance Walker, Kyle Soderman, and Ethan Bartnicki all failed who had conquered the Las Vegas version before while Daniel Gil became the fourth ninja to conquer the Season 12 version but failed the Las Vegas version. Austin Gray and R.J. Roman became the first to conquer the Las Vegas version twice while Elijah Browning got his revenge on the obstacle from Season 13.

Other Appearances[]

Ninja Warrior France[]

NWFrance2022 Falling Shelves

Ninja Warrior France 6's Falling Shelves

Les Croix ร€ Bascule (literally Rocking Crosses), Ninja Warrior France's official name for the Falling Shelves would appear as the fourth obstacle of Qualification 3 of Ninja Warrior France 6. It is paired with the Butterfly Wall as part of Route A of the Crossroads. This time, the obstacle would involve two sets of handles with the second set being lower than the first. Competitors would not be required to do a blind transition in this instance due to the fact that both handles are facing towards the competitor. In addition, a rope is added as a medium for competitors before reaching the first set. On the other hand, once they reach the second ledge, a resting bar and a rope was present that will aid them to the landing platform.

Ninja Israel[]

NWI4Shelves

Ninja Israel 4's Falling Shelves

In Ninja Warrior Israel 4, the Falling Shelves, locally called ื˜ืจื™ืคืœ ืืงืก (literally Triple "X") appeared as the first obstacle in Stage 2, which was similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 12 (since that iteration also had three sets of handles), except that the ledges at the third shelf was placed in the same direction with ones from previous shelves, meaning competitors didn't have to do a blind grab. In addition, the trampoline was replaced by a lachรฉ bar as a medium for competitors before reaching the first set. This modification made the obstacle very easy, as all three competitors who attempted it clearing.

NWI5FS

Ninja Israel 5's Falling Shelves

Then, in Ninja Warrior Israel 5, the Falling Shelves returned as the sixth obstacle in the Semifinal 3, with the same configuration from last season appearance. However, it was now paired with the The High Road as part of the Split Decision. This means that once the competitors decided to not press the button of the The High Road, they must attempt the Falling Shelves later on the run. However, competitors could still attempt the Falling Shelves once they missed the High Road's ring. With the three competitors that made it to Split Decision, only Ido Amran attempted the obstacle and failed it on the transition to the second shelf, leaving the obstacle with a 0% clear rate compared to The High Road's 100% clear rate.

Ninja Warrior Germany[]

NWG 7-Second Stage-Obstacle-Falling Shelves

Ninja Warrior Germany 7's Falling Shelves (Fallende Bretter)

On Ninja Warrior Germany 7, the Falling Shelves (locally known, and literally translated as Fallende Bretter) appeared as the third obstacle of the Second Stage, which was similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior Israel 4 (since the ledges at the third shelf were placed in the same direction with ones from previous shelves and since there was also a lachรฉ bar at the start of the obstacle). This resulted in the obstacle being very easy, as all seven competitors that attempted this obstacle completed it.

Trivia[]

  • With the appearance of the obstacle as the final Stage Two obstacle of American Ninja Warrior 13, it is the first instance in American Ninja Warrior history that the final obstacle on Stage Two is not a wall variant obstacle. (e.g., Wall Lift, Wall Flip, and Water Walls.)
  • This marks the first instance in American Ninja Warrior history where it was possible to fail the final obstacle of Stage Two without timing out.

Competitors' Success Rate[]

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

American Ninja Warrior[]

ANW Clears Attempts Percentage
ANW12 19 26 73.08%
ANW13 4 10 40%
ANW14 11 12 91.67%
Women's Championship 3 1 1 100%
ANW15 9 15 66.67%
Total 44 64 68.75%

Ninja Israel[]

NWI Clears Attempts Percentage
NWI4 3 3 100%
Total 3 3 100%

Ninja Warrior Germany[]

NWG Clears Attempts Percentage
NWG7 7 7 100%
Total 7 7 100%
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