Pipe Slider (パイプスライダー) is the final obstacle of Third Stage from SASUKE 2 (replacing Hariyama) until SASUKE 17, where it was replaced by Gliding Ring after Nagano Makoto's Kanzenseiha. It would eventually return in SASUKE 28, the tournament after Urushihara Yuuji's second Kanzenseiha.
Competitors must hang from the pipe and slide it along a track. At the end of the track, competitors must gain enough momentum to make the transfer from the pipe to a landing platform. There are four versions of this obstacle.
The obstacle has a wire installed to the bar which is placed to an upper track, so that competitors would not drag the bar down with them if they failed. But in contrast, it could caused the bar to slip off of its tracks before competitors could successfully build up momentum for the dismount.
The obstacle became a staple of the course during its time and even well into its retirement, being used as the final obstacle in many replica courses, including SASUKE's sections of Muscle Park Odaiba (closed in 2010) and Chitose.
This obstacle had proven to be very difficult, as half of the attempts on this obstacle ended in failure. It also become the only obstacle in the history that took down all six SASUKE All-Stars at least once during its lifespans.
A modified version of this obstacle, Bar Glider, was used as the final obstacle of Third Stage in SASUKE 27.
Prototype
Pipe Slider seen in Opening of SASUKE 2, with the landing platform being parallel with the course
Closer view of Pipe Slider before the filming of SASUKE 2 as illustrated from a book
Prior to the final version that was used in SASUKE 2, Pipe Slider was supposed to have three tracks with two resting bars in between the tracks, which were meant to be arranged in a square-wave formation, with the second track perpendicular to the first and third tracks, which both pointed in the same direction, with the landing platform thus being parallel to the overall course formation as opposed to being perpendicular to it. This version can be seen in numerous pieces of footage all the way up to the filming of Second Stage.
However, before official runs commenced, for unknown reasons, the producers decided to eliminate the third track, possibly deeming the formation too extremely difficult. The landing platform was thus moved to the end of the second track and this would ultimately serve as the basis of Pipe Slider and all subsequent versions of it, along with its replacements.
Version 1
The first version of Pipe Slider was used in SASUKE 2 and 3. It feature two tracks with a resting bar in between the tracks. Once competitors got to the end of the track, all the competitor need to do was step down to the landing platform. The landing platform itself was still placed away from the competitor (as proven by Miura Eiichi when he lost his balance on the mat in SASUKE 2).
It was proven to be very difficult, as it took out eight competitors in two tournaments, whereas no one failed at any other obstacle in the Third Stage during this span.
If the competitors pulled the bar off the track, they would be disqualified, which happened to Ebihara Masakazu in SASUKE 2, when he pulled the bar off the second track and fell into the water.
Water pit for Pipe Slider's prototype was seen during Yoshizaki Hiroaki's run in SASUKE 2
In SASUKE 2, the plans for the original concept of the obstacle can still be seen due to the presence of an extension on the left side of the water pit relative to the position of the second track. This extension would then be removed the following tournament.
Version 2
Nagano Makoto attempting Pipe Slider in SASUKE 11
The second version of Pipe Slider was used in SASUKE 4 until SASUKE 13. It feature minor modification from first version by shortening the second track, now requiring a jump to the landing platform. As tournaments went on, the landing platform was placed slightly farther away from the end of the track.
The disqualification rule still implied, proven by Travis Allen Schroeder in SASUKE 4 when he make similar mistake like Ebihara, although he derail the bar on the first track. However, he managed to hang onto the bar and even managed to clear the obstacle before being told that he was disqualified.
In order to clear the obstacle, competitors must completely hold their balance on the landing platform. Yamada Katsumi landed on the landing platform in SASUKE 6, but he tipped off the landing platform to the side, causing him to be disqualified. Cushions were added to the sides of the landing platform in the next tournament.
The landing platform itself previously cause havoc in SASUKE 4 as Akiyama Kazuhiko actually climb to the landing platform using metal support below the platform, which was visible from competitors' point of view. While it actually should be deemed illegal, the producers let him advance, but, in order to avoid such chase happening again, the landing platform was fully closed now.
Version 3
Yamada Kōji attempting Pipe Slider in SASUKE 16
The third version of Pipe Slider was used in SASUKE 14 until SASUKE 17. It contained only one track now, as the first track was eliminated due to the appearance of Jumping Bars and Climbing Bars. In order to reach the track, competitors had to swing from Devil Balanço and grab the pipe. To add difficulty, both the track and the jump to the mat were lengthened.
During SASUKE 14, Devil Balanço was considered part of the obstacle with the announcer omitting addressing the obstacle. The official name was verbally announced in the next tournament and until SASUKE 17, it is now regarded as a separate obstacle.
On two occasions, the competitors knocked the pipe away while still on Devil Balanço, causing the obstacle to be nearly impossible. This happened to Kobayashi Shinji in SASUKE 14 and Nagano Makoto in SASUKE 16, with both failed to reach the knocked pipe.
Version 4
Tada Tatsuya attempting Pipe Slider in SASUKE 37
The fourth version of Pipe Slider was brought back in SASUKE 28. Here, it was similar to the third version, with it having only one track. However, unlike the third version, there is no obstacle preceding it with no rest (Devil Balanço directly preceeded Pipe Slider in SASUKE 14 to SASUKE 17).
However, in SASUKE 33, the obstacle before it (Vertical Limit Kai) was connected with this obstacle with no resting point, as additional bars and netting were placed above the green resting bars, forcing competitors to directly use the green bars as a medium to transit to Pipe Slider. This change would be undone in the following tournament.
This version has proven to be not as difficult, but the only two competitors that have failed so far in this obstacle are those who achieved Kanzenseiha twice (Morimoto Yusuke in SASUKE 29, when he failed the dismount to the platform and Urushihara Yuuji in SASUKE 37, when the left side of the bar was pushed off the track, resulting for the bar to fall vertically, dragging him down as well).
KUNOICHI Appearance
Pipe Slider (パイプスライダー) will then appeared as the fifth and final obstacle in BLACK Stage (Third Stage) from KUNOICHI 10 onwards. It only consisted of one track with no obstacle preceding it, so like combination of the second and fourth versions of Pipe Slider in SASUKE.
It was proven to be lethal, as from five competitors that attempted this obstacle across two tournaments, all but one of them failed to clear it. Also, all of the competitors showed struggles while sliding the pipe and locking the pipe at the end of the track.
Oshima Ayano attempting Pipe Slider in KUNOICHI 11
Competitors' Success Rate
- All results based on the TBS broadcast and external information found.
SASUKE
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 9 | 22.22% |
| 3 | 5 | 6 | 83.33% |
| 4 | 1 | 5 | 20% |
| 5 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| 6 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| 7 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 8 | 2 | 3 | 66.67% |
| 9 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| 10 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| 11 | 1 | 2 | 50% |
| 12 | 3 | 5 | 60% |
| 13 | 1 | 2 | 50% |
| 14 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 15 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 16 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| 17 | 2 | 3 | 66.67% |
| 28 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 29 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| 30 | 2 | 2 | 100% |
| 31 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 32 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 33 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 34 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 35 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 36 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 37 | 2 | 3 | 66.67% |
| 38 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| Total | 26 | 52 | 50% |
KUNOICHI
| KUNOICHI | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
| 11 | 1 | 3 | 33.33% |
| Total | 1 | 5 | 20% |
Other Appearances
American Ninja Warrior
American Ninja Warrior 1's Pipe Slider
Pipe Slider appeared as the fifth obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 1 during qualifying and semifinal. However, unlike in SASUKE, this version required competitors to slide the bar across one track that had three drops in it. This obstacle was proven to be brutal, as several competitors slid the bar off the track or lost their grip, due to the drops from the track. During qualifying, the obstacle had eliminated top competitors such as Brett Sims and Luci Romberg, as well as Brian Kretsch during semifinal.
American Ninja Warrior 4's Pipe Slider in Northwest region
Pipe Slider then returned as the fifth obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 4 during Northwest region qualifiers (during Northwest region finals, it was replaced by the Devil Steps). The obstacle consisted of a single track, much like SASUKE 14-17 and SASUKE 28- version of the Pipe Slider, but without a jump at the end. Also, the landing platform was placed slightly away from the end of the track. However, this obstacle was once again proven to be brutal, as several competitors got disqualified for sliding the bar off the track.
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia's Pipe Slider in Final Stage
On SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia, the Pipe Slider appeared as the sixth and final obstacle in Final Stage, immediately following the Salmon Ladder, and the obstacle was similar to one used from SASUKE 28 onward. Among the 5 competitors who attempted the obstacle, 3 of them (Putra Waluya, Muhammad Luky, and Angga Cahya) could complete it and later advanced to Mount Midoriyama Stage.
SASUKE Vietnam
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SASUKE Vietnam 2's Pipe Slider
SASUKE Vietnam 5's Pipe Slider
During the first two seasons of SASUKE Vietnam, the Pipe Slider (called locally as Trượt Ống) appeared as the sixth and final obstacle in Stage 3, which was similar to one used from SASUKE 28 onward.
On SASUKE Vietnam 1, only future SASUKE Vietnam 2's champion Lê Văn Thực attempted the obstacle, but he was eliminated when he failed the dismount to the landing platform.
On SASUKE Vietnam 2, 14 competitors was able to reach the obstacle, with 12 of them could complete it and later advancing to the Final Stage. Lê Văn Đại and Brian Wilczewski were the only 2 competitors who failed on the obstacle.
On SASUKE Vietnam 3, the obstacle was replaced by the Flying Bar. However, on SASUKE Vietnam 5, the obstacle made its return as the third obstacle in Stage 3. This time, the resting bar was placed lower so that competitors can stand on it and there was a new mechanism that connected the bar onto the track, making the obstacle itself extremely slicker than the original SASUKE version. In addition, a rule was implemented on this obstacle, in which competitors could rest for only ten seconds before attempting the obstacle. As the result, this obstacle became very deadly, as 7 out of 15 competitors failed on it (Le Vi Hua, Ben Polson, Fred Dorrington, David Campbell, Nguyễn Xuân Tứ, Đỗ Văn Quang, and Simon Winge).
Gallery
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