American Ninja Warrior 7's Flying Shelf Grab in Kansas City
The Flying Shelf Grab is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the eighth obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 7 during Kansas City finals.
It consisted of two suspended shelves with a 2-inch ledge on both shelves, and the gap between the shelves was 6 feet.
After completing the Salmon Ladder, competitors must make the transition to a stationary bar in front of them. From there, they must swing forward to the first shelf. Once on the first shelf, they must build enough swing and momentum to make a transition to the second shelf. And finally, they must swing to the landing platform to advance.
In its debut during Kansas City finals, the Flying Shelf Grab knocked out several top competitors like Ethan Swanson and Jon Stewart. In total, 7 out of 23 competitors who attempted this obstacle failed to complete it. However, 16 competitors completed the obstacle, and as such, the next obstacle, the Body Prop, became the cut off for the top 15 competitors to advance to Las Vegas national finals.
Other Season Appearances
American Ninja Warrior 8
American Ninja Warrior 8's Flying Shelf Grab in Philadelphia
The Flying Shelf Grab returned on American Ninja Warrior 8, as the eighth obstacle during Philadelphia finals. However, the gap between the shelves was increased to 8 feet.
This time, the obstacle took out 5 out of the 15 competitors who attempted it, which were Anthony DeFranco, Nick Kostreski, Brandon Pannell, Richard Shoemaker, and Carl Fantauzzo. Because only 10 competitors completed the obstacle during Philadelphia finals, the Flying Shelf Grab became the cut off for the top 15 competitors to advance to Las Vegas national finals, and all five competitors who failed on the obstacle still advanced to Las Vegas national finals.
American Ninja Warrior 10
American Ninja Warrior 10's Flying Shelf Grab in Los Angeles
On American Ninja Warrior 10, the Flying Shelf Grab appeared as the fourth obstacle during Los Angeles finals, replacing the Sky Hooks during Los Angeles qualifiers. This time, the obstacle featured 3 shelves, with the second shelf being placed slightly higher than the other 2 shelves.
Due to its placement as the fourth obstacle, there was a trampoline at the start of the obstacle, as a medium to reach the first shelf. Despite that, the obstacle was proven to be much easier than on American Ninja Warrior 7 and American Ninja Warrior 8, as it only wiped out Jeremy Rivette and Anthony Trucks.
The Flying Shelf Grab during Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day 2
Ne-Yo attempted the Flying Shelf Grab during Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day 2
This variation of the Flying Shelf Grab was attempted early during Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day 2. However, there were two laché bars placed before the first shelf and after the third shelf, and the gap between each shelf was 5 feet, in order to make the obstacle slightly easier for celebrity competitors. Among the 6 celebrity competitors who attempted the obstacle, only Nikki Bella and Gregg Sulkin failed to complete it. Akbar Gbaja-Biamila had his veteran partner Kevin Bull completed the obstacle. Despite that, Akbar was credited $5,000 from that completion for Red Nose Day charity.
Other Appearances
Australian Ninja Warrior
Australian Ninja Warrior's Flying Shelf
On Australian Ninja Warrior, the Flying Shelf Grab (simply called as the Flying Shelf) appeared as the seventh obstacle in Semifinal 2. However, competitors needed to climb up a rope. Then, they must swing forward to reach the first shelf.
Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Flying Shelf Grab
Then, the obstacle appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 1 on Australian Ninja Warrior 2. This time, there was a trampoline and a laché bar at the start of the obstacle, as a medium to reach the first shelf.
Australian Ninja Warrior 3's Flying Shelf
On Australian Ninja Warrior 3, the Flying Shelf Grab (called as the Flying Shelf) appeared as the seventh obstacle during the semifinals. This time, similar to its appearance on American Ninja Warrior, the obstacle was preceded by the Salmon Ladder with no rest, and both of them were combined and counted as one obstacle (rather than one separate obstacle each).
Ninja Warrior UK
Ninja Warrior UK 4's Flying Shelf Grab
On Ninja Warrior UK 4, the Flying Shelf Grab appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 1. However, competitors needed to jump from the trampoline and reached the first bar, then made the transition to the second bar, and finally reached the first shelf.
Although only 5 out of 14 competitors fell on this obstacle, the Flying Shelf Grab eliminated Jonny Urszuly, who was the Last Man Standing on the previous season. Despite that, he was still able to qualify to the semi-finals, as the top 15 competitors from each heat would qualify to the semi-finals on that season (unlike during the past 3 Ninja Warrior UK seasons, when only the top 10 competitors from each heat would qualify to the semi-finals).
Then, on Ninja Warrior UK 5, the Flying Shelf Grab appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 4. The obstacle remained unchanged from the previous season.
Competitors' Success Rate
- All results based on the NBC broadcast and external information found
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW7 | 16 | 23 | 69.56% |
| ANW8 | 10 | 15 | 66.67% |
| ANW10 | 25 | 27 | 92.59% |
| Total | 51 | 65 | 78.46% |