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Pipefitter ANW8

American Ninja Warrior 8's Pipefitter in Atlanta

Pipefitter is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the fifth obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 8 in Atlanta. Competitors are required to:

  • Climb a pipe, leaning at a 45° angle, 16 feet (4.9 meters) in the air,
  • Then, they must hang across the first hanging pipe.
  • Then, they must swing from the first hanging pipe to the second hanging pipe, which is 2 feet (60cm) away and a foot higher than the first hanging pipe.
  • Then, competitors must grab the third hanging pipe (also leaning at a 45° angle), and finally make a dismount to the landing platform to advance.

Using legs on the first and second hanging pipe will result in disqualification.

This obstacle was proven to be challenging for competitors, as the pipes were a massive test for competitors' forearm and bicep strength. The four feet transition to the second hanging pipe was proven to be the main challenge on the obstacle. Notable competitors that failed the obstacle in qualifying included Bootie Cothran, Nick Patel, Drew Hendry, Calle Alexander, Brittany Reid, Bobby Bohannon, Ricky Vu, Spencer Wyckoff, Danny Gallagher and Josh Phillips.

During Atlanta finals, the first pipe was made steeper to climb. The first two hanging pipes swung less, making it more difficult for competitors to gain momentum to make a transition between the pipes. The third hanging pipe was also the same size as the first two hanging pipes. Competitors were still allowed to use their legs to grab the third hanging pipe. Only 2 competitors failed the obstacle in the Atlanta finals: Brent Ruffin (who completed the obstacle in qualifying) and Chris Moore (who failed the obstacle during qualifying).

Other Season Appearances[]

American Ninja Warrior 9[]

ANW9 Pipe Fitter

American Ninja Warrior 9's Pipefitter in San Antonio

The Pipefitter returned on American Ninja Warrior 9, as the fifth obstacle in San Antonio. This time, however, the first hanging pipe was placed higher than the first pipe, the third hanging pipe was placed at a lower angle and competitors were not allowed to use their legs on all of the hanging pipes.

As a result, the obstacle was proven to be harder than during Atlanta qualifiers on the previous season, as many top competitors failed on this obstacle during San Antonio qualifiers, including Tremayne Dortch, David Yarter, Brandon Pannell, Raymond Cass Clawson, Barclay Stockett, Nate Burkhalter, Kenneth Niemitalo (who completed the obstacle during Atlanta qualifiers on the previous season), Damir Okanovic, Sam Ballard and Blake Devine.

Also during San Antonio qualifiers, there were fewer completions on the obstacle, with there only being 16 clears. However, there were also fewer falls on the obstacle, with there being 14 victims on the obstacle. In total, exactly 30 competitors attempted the Pipe Fitter, meaning every competitor who attempted the obstacle advanced to San Antonio finals.

During San Antonio finals, the obstacle had the same specification as during Atlanta finals. From there, several competitors (e.g. Thomas Stillings and Nicholas Coolridge) dismounted the obstacle early, by skipping the third hanging pipe entirely. Only Sam Ballard and Blake Devine failed on the obstacle.

Other Appearances[]

Ninja Warrior UK[]

On Ninja Warrior UK 3, the Pipefitter appeared twice during the season.

NWUK3 Pipe Climber

Ninja Warrior UK 3's Pipe Climber

  • Firstly, as the fifth obstacle in Heat 3, and was called as the Pipe Climber. It featured 3 pipes instead of 4 (by reducing the number of middle hanging pipes from 2 to 1).
    • Also, just like the Floating Tiles on the same season, the chains that supported the pipes were also given the red area, meaning competitors were allowed to grab the chains (if they grabbed the chains outside the red area, they would be disqualified).
    • Unlike on American Ninja Warrior, competitors were allowed to use their legs on all of the pipes. As a result, the obstacle was proven to be much easier, as only one competitor failed (that competitor was disqualified for grabbing the support chains outside the red area).
NWUK3 Three Logs

Ninja Warrior UK 3's Three Logs

  • Secondly, as the eighth obstacle during the finals' Stage 1, and was called as the Three Logs.
    • It featured three hanging pipes, with the first pipe was angled downward, the second pipe was straight, and the third pipe was angled upward.
    • Just like the Pipe Climber in Heat 3, the chains that supported the pipes were also given the red area meaning competitors were allowed to grab the chains (if they grabbed the chains outside the red area, they would be disqualified), as well as competitors were allowed to use their legs on all of the pipes.
    • Only one competitor failed on this obstacle.
NWUK4 Pipe Climber

Ninja Warrior UK 4's Pipe Climber

Nwuk6 liquid pipes

Ninja Warrior UK 6's Liquid Pipes

On Ninja Warrior UK 4, the Pipe Climber returned once again as the fifth obstacle in Heat 3. This time, the obstacle was made similar to the Pipe Fitter from American Ninja Warrior. However, competitors were still allowed to use their legs on all of the pipes but were not allowed to grab any part of the support chains (including the black area that covered the chains).

On Ninja Warrior UK 6, the Pipefitter, now renamed as the Liquid Pipes, appeared as the second obstacle in the Finals' Stage One. Its design was similar to the one used on American Ninja Warrior Junior, now with four rings added onto each pipe, and a stationary bar as a medium to reach the first pipe.

Ninja Warrior France[]

Nwfr4 pipefitter

Shane Griffin testing Ninja Warrior France 4's Pipefitter

On Ninja Warrior France 4, Pipefitter was the second obstacle of Heat 1. The first pipe was angled at 45 degrees.

Australian Ninja Warrior[]

Aunw1 pipe climber

Lateral view of Australian Ninja Warrior's Pipe Climber (Top: 1st pipe, Middle: 2nd & 3rd pipe, Bottom: 3rd & 4th pipe)

AusNW2 Pipe Climber

Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Pipe Climber

Aunw2 pipe climber lat

Lateral view of Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Pipe Climber (Top: First 3 pipes, Bottom: 3rd & 4th pipe)

The Pipefitter appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 4 on Australian Ninja Warrior and Heat 2 on Australian Ninja Warrior 2, with a similar specification and completion rule from American Ninja Warrior 8. However, just like on Ninja Warrior UK, the obstacle was called as the Pipe Climber.

Pipe Climber AuNW5

Australian Ninja Warrior 5's Pipe Climber

Aunw5 pipe climber contestant

Competitor ascending Australian Ninja Warrior 5's Pipe Climber

On Australian Ninja Warrior 5, the Pipe Climber appeared as the third obstacle in Semifinal 3. This time, some changes were made to the obstacle:

  • the angled pipe was made less steeper,
  • the second hanging pipe was placed lower and made longer,
  • the last hanging pipe was replaced with a trapeze bar from the Trapeze Swing, and
  • competitors were allowed to use their legs in all hanging pipes.

Ninja Warrior Poland[]

NWP4 Three Logs

Ninja Warrior Poland 4's Three Logs

On Ninja Warrior Poland 4, the Three Logs, locally called Pająk na Rurze (literally Spider on the Pipe) appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 2 and Heat 6. However, unlike Ninja Warrior UK 3, the first and third pipe were swapped, and the second pipe was placed higher. In Heat 2, one competitor was disqualified for this obstacle due to his foot being pushed forward with the chain from which the first pipe was suspended. In Heat 6, one competitor fell on the third pipe. In total, the obstacle eliminated two competitors.

Ninja Israel[]

NWI Pipefitter

Ninja Israel's Pipefitter to Cargo Net

On Ninja Warrior Israel, the Pipefitter to Cargo Net, locally called הגליל העליון (literally Upper Galilee) appeared as the fourth obstacle in Heat 9 and Heat 12. The obstacle featured three hanging pipes (similar to the Three Logs in Ninja Warrior UK 3), with a cargo net (similar to Jump Hang) placed after the third pipe. The first and second pipe were straight, the second pipe placed higher than the first pipe, and the third pipe was angled upward. Unlike American Ninja Warrior 8, competitors were allowed to use their legs in all hanging pipes.

NWI3 Pipe Climber

Ninja Israel 3's modified Pipefitter to Carrgo Net

Then, on Ninja Warrior Israel 3, a major modification of the Pipefitter to Cargo Net, locally called צינורות לרשת (literally Network Pipes) appeared as the second obstacle in Heat 13 and Heat 18. Compared to the one used in Ninja Warrior Israel, three hanging pipes were thinner and longer. The first and second pipe were straight and placed in the same height, and the third pipe was angled downward.

American Ninja Warrior Junior[]

Liquidpipeanwjr3

American Ninja Warrior Junior 3's Liquid Pipe

Renamed as the Liquid Pipe, this obstacle appeared as the third obstacle for Bracket 1, consisting of kids aged 9-10.

The obstacle consists of a series of two straight pipes chained above, and on a swinging motion. Competitors generally moved quick, as the motion of the pipe could cause a competitor to be hung up for valuable seconds.

Only two competitors fell on it, Jaden Van Heel, and Harry Chubb.

Ninja Warrior Germany[]

Nwgr4 pipefitter

Ninja Warrior Germany 4's Pipefitter

On Ninja Warrior Germany 4, Pipefitter appeared as the second obstacle of the finals' Stage 1.

Ninja Israel Junior[]

NWIJ Pipefitter

Ninja Israel Junior's Pipefitter

On Ninja Warrior Israel Junior, the Pipefitter appeared as the second obstacle in Semifinals and Finals' Stage One. The obstacle has four pipes like the one used in American Ninja Warrior, but with several differences:

  • The final pipe is now angled a bit upward instead of angled downward.
  • There was a rope as a medium to reach the landing platform, and
  • Competitors were allowed to use their legs in all pipes, to make it easier for children competitors.

Trivia[]

  • In Crashing the Course, it was revealed the Pipefitter is inspired by the Carrie Furnace of Pittsburgh, which was the backdrop of the Pittsburgh qualifying course on American Ninja Warrior 7.
  • It was revealed that the Pipefitter took over 200 people to assemble.
  • The Pipefitter is very similar to the log of Bungee Road, even using the "no lower body" rule on the smaller pipes and the last pipe (on American Ninja Warrior 8, the small pipes were only affected by the rule).
  • The tactic in which competitors used on the final pipe by grabbing the pipe with their legs is notably similar to Kevin Bull's technique on the Cannonball Alley during American Ninja Warrior 6's Venice Beach finals.
  • In Crashing the Course, the obstacle's name is stylized as Pipe Fitter, yet officially it's considered the Pipefitter.

External Links[]

American_Ninja_Warrior_-_Crashing_the_Course-_Atlanta_(Digital_Exclusive)

American Ninja Warrior - Crashing the Course- Atlanta (Digital Exclusive)

The Pipefitter was revealed during American Ninja Warrior 8's "Crashing the Course" series, as an obstacle featured in Atlanta course

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