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Hang Climbing (ハングクライミング), called Ascending Climb in English broadcasts, was a Third Stage obstacle that was introduced in SASUKE 21. A wall scattered with rock climbing artifacts and angled at 45°, its function was very similar to its predecessor, Sending Climber (which would never be attempted), albeit with some differences:

  • The rocks were bigger, thus requiring less finger strength compared to Sending Climber.
  • The distance of it to the previous obstacle, Jumping Bars, is closer than Sending Climber, thus making an easier transition between the obstacles.
  • The 45° angle was sharper than the angle of Sending Climber, such that competitors were able to use their feet, which were not allowed on Sending Climber.
Kanno Hitoshi attempting Hang Climbing in SASUKE 23

Kanno Hitoshi attempting Hang Climbing in SASUKE 23

It was one of few Third Stage obstacles where feet were allowed on the obstacle. It appeared between Jumping Bars and Spider Flip, allowing no rest for competitors in between the obstacles.

In the tournaments it appeared, it only eliminated Takeda Toshihiro, who was also the first competitor to attempt the obstacle. This also makes it one of three obstacles in SASUKE's history to only take out All-Stars, with the other two being the Downhill Jump and the Climbing Bars.


Other Appearances[]

American Ninja Warrior[]

ANW4 Hang Climb

American Ninja Warrior 4's Hang Climb in Stage Three

ANW5 Hang Climb

American Ninja Warrior 5's Hang Climb in Stage Three

ANW6 Hang Climb

American Ninja Warrior 6's Hang Climb in Stage Three

ANW8 Hang Climb

American Ninja Warrior 8's Hang Climb in Stage Three

The Hang Climbing, simply called Hang Climb, appeared as the sixth obstacle in Stage Three from American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 7, and then as the fifth obstacle in Stage Three on American Ninja Warrior 8, but being preceded by these obstacles instead of the Jumping Bars:

There, the design of the obstacle was more similar to the Sending Climber. While competitors could still use their feet, the size of the rocks were about the same size as those in the Sending Climber. Also, the length of the obstacle was 10 feet in American Ninja Warrior 6, and 12 feet in American Ninja Warrior 7.

On American Ninja Warrior 4, the Hang Climb ensnared and eliminated Brent Steffensen, who was the only competitor to advance to Stage Three. On American Ninja Warrior 5, Brian Arnold became the first competitor to complete the obstacle on American Ninja Warrior. On American Ninja Warrior 6, Joe Moravsky reached this obstacle and failed. On American Ninja Warrior 7, three competitors, Ian Dory, Isaac Caldiero, and Geoff Britten, completed this obstacle, while Drew Drechsel failed. On American Ninja Warrior 8, Drew Drechsel reached this obstacle and failed once again for the second straight season.

Interestingly, three competitors who failed on this obstacle, Brent Steffensen on American Ninja Warrior 4, Joe Moravsky on American Ninja Warrior 6, and Drew Drechsel on American Ninja Warrior 8, were each the Last Man Standing, the competitor who made the furthest than any other competitor of their respective American Ninja Warrior seasons. These three competitors also attempted the obstacle again during American Ninja Warrior's international tournaments, Brent Steffensen during USA vs. Japan, Joe Moravsky during USA vs. The World, and Drew Drechsel during USA vs. The World 3, and Drew Drechsel was the only one who could complete it. Also, the four competitors who completed the obstacle during American Ninja Warrior's regular season, Brian Arnold, Ian Dory, Isaac Caldiero, and Geoff Britten, all have rock-climbing backgrounds, making this obstacle suitable for their skills and strength.

From American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 6, the handholds and footholds were attached to a scaffolding, while on American Ninja Warrior 7 and American Ninja Warrior 8, they were attached to Plexiglas (similar to SASUKE version).

On American Ninja Warrior 9, the obstacle was replaced by the Peg Cloud.

SASUKE Vietnam[]

Untitled1-1505922872600

SASUKE Vietnam 3's Hang Climbing

The Hang Climbing, locally called Vách Nghiêng (literally Inclined Wall) appeared in Stage 3 as the third obstacle on SASUKE Vietnam 3 and SASUKE Vietnam 4, and then as the fourth obstacle on SASUKE Vietnam 5, which was similar to one used on American Ninja Warrior 7 (since the obstacle was preceded by the Pole Grasper), except that the handholds and footholds were attached to a scaffolding just like the one used from American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 6, and both the Pole Grasper and Hang Climbing were combined and counted as one obstacle. Also, the obstacle's design was incredibly similar to the Sending Climber (since all rocks were painted multicolor instead of white in SASUKE or red in American Ninja Warrior).

During the broadcast of SASUKE Vietnam 3, the obstacle was called 'Ông Trùm', The Boss, due to the fact that the obstacle was much harder than the previous Rumbling Dice, and it eliminated nine out of ten competitors who attempted it. Only Mat Redho was able to complete the obstacle.

On SASUKE Vietnam 4, despite no change, the obstacle remained deadly, as it eliminated sixteen out of twenty competitors who attempted it, including Nguyễn Văn Hiếu, who was the first and so far, only competitor disqualified for touching the sideway of the wall. Only four competitors, Đỗ Văn Quang, Nguyễn Doãn Thọ, Nguyễn Minh Tuấn, and Mat Redho, were able to complete the obstacle.

On SASUKE Vietnam 5, the obstacle continued to be deadly once again, as it eliminated six out of eight competitors who attempted it. Only two competitors, Trần Minh Khương and Nguyễn Minh Tuấn, were able to complete the obstacle.

In an Instagram post, David Campbell said that the producers of SASUKE Vietnam used "horrible" slippery playground holds (rocks) on their Hang Climbing obstacle. This was the main reason that the Hang Climbing in SASUKE Vietnam was significantly harder compared to the original.

Australian Ninja Warrior[]

AusNW2 Hang Climb

Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Hang Climb

On Australian Ninja Warrior 2, the Hang Climb appeared as the second obstacle in Stage Three, which was similar to the one used on American Ninja Warrior 8, since the obstacle was preceded by the Curved Body Prop with no rest. However, since no competitor was able to complete Stage Two on that season, the obstacle was unattempted.

Aus4 hang climb

Australian Ninja Warrior 4's Hang Climb

Then, on Australian Ninja Warrior 4, the Hang Climb appeared as the first obstacle in Stage Three. Unlike the one used in Australian Ninja Warrior 2, the obstacle was not preceded by any obstacle with no rest. This time, all four competitors who attempted the obstacle, Matthew Bowles, Ben Polson, Zak Stolz, and Charlie Robbins, were able to complete it.

Ninja Warrior France[]

NW-LPdh 3-Second Stage-Obstacle-Hang Climbing

The Hang Climbing (Le Plafond de Verre) in Ninja Warrior France 3

Nwfr3 hang climb

Jean Tezenas du Montcel preparing for Ninja Warrior France 3's Hang Climb

In Ninja Warrior France 3, the Hang Climbing, locally called Le Plafond de Verre (literally The Glass Ceiling), appeared as the third and penultimate obstacle in the untimed section of the Second Stage. The obstacle was preceded by the Flying Shelf Grab with only a laché bar being between those two obstacles. It was only attempted by the Last Man Standing of the season, Jean Tezenas du Montcel and he managed to clear the obstacle without any significant trouble whatsoever (this was due Tezenas being an experienced rock climber).

Nwfr4 hang climb

Ninja Warrior France 4's Hang Climb

Nwfr5 hang climb

Ninja Warrior France 5's Hang Climb

It returned in Ninja Warrior France 4 and Ninja Warrior France 5, again as the third and penultimate obstacle in the untimed section of the Second Stage. Once again, a diagonal lache bar was placed at the start of the obstacle.

Ninja Warrior Germany[]

NWG FNSP-Third Stage-Obstacle-Hang Climbing

Ninja Warrior Germany: Four Nations Special's Hang Climbing (Überhang)

NWG FNSP-Third Stage-Obstacle-Hang Climbing-2

The Hang Climbing (Überhang) in Ninja Warrior Germany: Four Nations Special viewed from a different angle

Although the obstacle was not used in any regular season of Ninja Warrior Germany, the Hang Climbing, locally called Überhang (literally Overhang), appeared in the Ninja Warrior Germany: Four Nations Special as the fifth and penultimate obstacle in the Third Stage. The obstacle was directly connected to another obstacle (in this case the Flying Bar) without any kind of rest or bar between it and the other obstacle.

Ninja Israel[]

NWI2 Swinging Cliffhanger to Sideways Hang Climbing

Ninja Israel 2's Swinging Cliffhanger to Sideways Hang Climbing

On Ninja Warrior Israel 2, a variation of the Hang Climbing, called locally התקרה התלולה (literally The Steep Ceiling) appeared in the final as the fourth obstacle in Stage One. Similar to the Hang Climbing in SASUKE Vietnam 3, the obstacle was connected to one Swinging Cliffhanger ledge and combined as one obstacle. However, the wall was rotated approximately 100°, making the obstacle similar to the Clear Climb. This making this variation very easy, as only three competitors failed on this obstacle (Zohar Yosef, Igo Dos Rice and Eli Rot).

NWI5 Unstable Bridge

Ninja Israel 5's Hang Climbing to Unstable Bridge

Later, on Ninja Warrior Israel 5, the original version of the Hang Climbing appeared as the fourth obstacle in Semifinal 2 and Semifinal 4, which was very similar to the one used in Australian Ninja Warrior 4 (since the obstacle was not preceded by any obstacle with no rest), except it was followed by Unstable Bridge with a laché between two obstacles and combined as one obstacle. After climbing to the top part of the Plexiglas board, competitor must reach to the resting bar, which gave competitors the chance to rest before attempting the Unstable Bridge. The obstacle was very easy once again, as only Adama Even in Semifinal 2 failed on it when he transitioned from Hang Climb to the laché bar.

Ninja Warrior Austria[]

NWAU 2-Third Stage-Obstacle-Hang Climbing

Ninja Warrior Austria 2's Hang Climbing

Nwat2 hang climb

Nicky de Leeuw on Ninja Warrior Austria 2's Hang Climbing

In Ninja Warrior Austria 2, the Hang Climbing, locally known as Boulderdecke (literally Boulder Ceiling), appeared as the third obstacle of the Third Stage. Similar to the Hang Climbing used in Ninja Warrior France 3, the obstacle was preceded by the Flying Shelf Grab. Unlike the aforementioned Hang Climbing, however, this obstacle was directly preceded by the Flying Shelf Grab (as there was no waiting/laché or resting bar between the obstacles). In addition, there were two additional laché bars installed between this obstacle and the succeeding obstacle, the Flying Bar.

It was only attempted by the Last Man Standing of Ninja Warrior Austria & that season, Nicky de Leeuw, who used up the rest of his stamina & upper body strength on this obstacle and subsequently fell at the transition from the second of the laché bars between the Hang Climbing and the actual bar of the Flying Bar.

Nwat3 hang climb

Ninja Warrior Austria 3's Hang Climbing

It returned in Ninja Warrior Austria 3, once again as the third obstacle of Stage Three. The wall itself did not appear to have changed. However, a lache bar was added before the obstacle.

Ninja Warrior Poland[]

NWPOL3 - Stage 2 - Hang Climb

Ninja Warrior Poland 3's Hang Climb

On Ninja Warrior Poland 2, the Hang Climb appeared in the Final as the eighth obstacle of the Stage Two, preceded by the Flying Shelf Grab. It was only attempted by Robert Bandosz, who failed the obstacle due to the fatigue.

Then, in Ninja Warrior Poland 3, the Hang Climb reappeared at the exact position, but now preceded by Spinball Wizard. Only Sebastian Kasprzyk managed to attempt; but failed the obstacle at its beginning.

It was replaced in Ninja Warrior Poland 4 by Pole Grasper.

NWP5 Roulette Cylinder to Gang Climbing

Ninja Warrior Poland 5's Roulette Cylinder to Hang Climbing

Then in Ninja Warrior Poland 5, the Hang Climb reappeared in the final, this time as the fifth obstacle in the final Stage One. The obstacle was attached to the Roulette Cylinder. There were 2 bars on the obstacle: one separating the two parts of the obstacle and the other after completing the Hang Climbing part. Due to the difficulty of the previous obstacles, only 7 competitors entered the obstacle, while two competitors fell on the Hang Climbing part, and five were able to complete the obstacle.

Competitor's Success Rate[]

  • All results based on the TBS/NBC/Polsat/Keshet 12/VTV 3 broadcast and external information found.

SASUKE[]

SASUKE Clears Attempts Percentage
21 1 2 50%
22 2 2 100%
23 5 5 100%
24 7 7 100%
Total 15 16 93.75%

American Ninja Warrior[]

ANW Clears Attempts Percentage
ANW4 0 1 0%
ANW5 1 1 100%
ANW6 0 1 0%
ANW7 3 4 75%
ANW8 0 1 0%
USA vs. Japan 3 4 75%
USA vs. The World 5 7 71.43%
USA vs. The World 2 6 6 100%
USA vs. The World 3 4 4 100%
Total 22 29 75.86%

Ninja Warrior Poland[]

NWP Clears Attempts Percentage
NWP2 0 1 0%
NWP3 0 1 0%
NWP5 5 7 71.43%
Total 5 9 55.55%

Ninja Israel[]

NWI Clears Attempts Percentage
NWI2 24 26 92.31%
NWI5 (Semifinal 2) 4 5 80%
NWI5 (Semifinal 4) 5 5 100%
Total 33 36 91.67%

SASUKE Vietnam[]

SASUKE Vietnam Clears Attempts Percentage
3 1 10 10%
4 4 20 20%
5 2 8 25%
Total 7 38 18.42%
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