Metal Spin (メタルスピン) was an obstacle in Second Stage that replaced Gyakusō Conveyor from the past thirteen SASUKE tournaments. It consisted of an array of chains dangling from a horizontal wheel that spun freely, sort of like a chandelier, over the water pit. Competitors must jump to grasp one of the chains and then spin the wheel to the landing platform.
There are few minor modifications to this obstacle. Starting in SASUKE 15, the chains were given bungee cords, causing the chains to stretch and requiring competitors to have a strong grip to prevent the chain from slipping out of their hands. Then, in SASUKE 18, it was given a longer run-up, but the actual obstacle was also further from the platform than the previous versions.
Yamamoto Shingo attempting Metal Spin
in SASUKE 14
This obstacle was proven to be one of the toughest obstacles in Second Stage. In SASUKE 16, it took out almost half of the competitors who attempted the obstacle (including Akiyama Kazuhiko, Kobayashi Shinji, Kobayashi Masaaki, Nagasawa Hidenori, Kameyama Masashi and Paul Hamm). In SASUKE 27 (its last tournament appearance), it took out six competitors out of sixteen who attempted it (including three American competitors: Travis Rosen, Travis Furlanic, and Brent Steffensen). It is also worth noting that it has taken out three of the four Grand Champions, taking out Akiyama Kazuhiko in SASUKE 16, Nagano Makoto in SASUKE 15, and Morimoto Yūsuke in SASUKE 27 (though Nagano and Morimoto were not grand champions at the time), with Urushihara Yuuji being the only grand champion to never fail the obstacle.
Despite the damage caused, in SASUKE 28, it was replaced by Backstream, SASUKE's first ever swimming obstacle.
Other Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior[]
American Ninja Warrior 4's Metal Spin in Stage Two
American Ninja Warrior 5's Metal Spin in Stage Two
American Ninja Warrior 6's Metal Spin in Stage Two
The Metal Spin appeared in Stage Two from American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 6, with the same position as SASUKE (as the fifth obstacle). However, unlike in SASUKE, the distance between the starting platform and the array chains was smaller, the array of chains was placed lower (which meant competitors could grab the middle of the chain instead of the lower end), and the chains were wrapped in a protective cover.
On American Ninja Warrior 4, three competitors (Paul Kasemir, Brent Steffensen, and Derek Nakamoto) could reach this obstacle, and Brent Steffensen was the only one who could complete it, and later finish Stage Two. On American Ninja Warrior 5, Eight competitors could reach this obstacle, and only one competitor (Andres De La Rosa) failed.
On American Ninja Warrior 6, the cover for each chain was removed, and the gap between the array of chains and the landing platform was made larger than on American Ninja Warrior 4 and 5, requiring competitors to swing the chain to reach the landing platform. As the result, many competitors could not stick the dismount to the landing platform, got hung up on the chain, and forced to fall into the water (e.g., Travis Rosen, Andrew Lowes, and Chris Wilczewski). Only Joe Moravsky and Elet Hall could complete the obstacle, and later finish Stage Two.
On American Ninja Warrior 7, the obstacle was replaced by the Roulette Row.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Metal Spin
The Metal Spin appeared as the seventh obstacle of Stage One in Ninja Warrior Germany 2. The obstacle only consists of two chains hanging from a spinning wheel.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS/NBC broadcast and external information found.
SASUKE[]
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 12 | 12 | 100% |
| 15 | 6 | 7 | 85.71% |
| 16 | 8 | 15 | 53.33% |
| 17 | 8 | 10 | 80% |
| 18 | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| 19 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 20 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 21 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| 22 | 4 | 5 | 80% |
| 23 | 7 | 8 | 87.5% |
| 24 | 7 | 10 | 70% |
| 25 | 5 | 5 | 100% |
| 26 | 6 | 7 | 85.71% |
| 27 | 10 | 16 | 62.5% |
| Total | 81 | 103 | 78.64% |
American Ninja Warrior[]
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW4 | 1 | 3 | 33.33% |
| ANW5 | 7 | 8 | 87.5% |
| ANW6 | 2 | 7 | 28.57% |
| USA vs. Japan | 2 | 3 | 66.67% |
| USA vs. The World | 4 | 5 | 80% |
| Total | 16 | 26 | 61.54% |
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