Propeller Untei (プロペラ雲梯/プロペラうんてい), called Propeller Bars in English broadcasts, is a Third Stage obstacle that originally introduced in SASUKE 1 as the second obstacle, however, after Akiyama Kazuhiko's Kanzenseiha in SASUKE 4, it was pushed as the first obstacle.
Competitors must across a series of three horizontal, slowly-spinning bars, which were anchored to the top of the course. The movement of the bars weren't fixed, as it changed from tournament to tournament. The landing platform was placed directly below the third bar originally, which make it easier for competitors. Due to this, the landing platform was pushed back until the end of the third bar starting in SASUKE 2 to add some difficulty.
Ōmori Akira attempting Propeller Untei in SASUKE 1
Yamamoto Shingo attempting modified Propeller Untei in SASUKE 7
Functioned more as energy waster, it was no surprise that this obstacle had a high clear rate, although it eliminated James Okada in SASUKE 7. Possibly because of that reason, it was replaced by a much harder Rumbling Dice in SASUKE 9.
KUNOICHI Appearance[]
Propeller Untei (プロペラ雲梯) would later appear in KUNOICHI as well, and would as the first obstacle in the BLACK Stage (Third Stage) from KUNOICHI 2017 Summer and onwards. Although several competitors showed struggles while attempting this obstacle due to the lower amount of torque (which resulted in frequent halt from the bars), no competitor ever failed this obstacle.
AYA attempting Propeller Untei
in KUNOICHI 2017 Summer
Other Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior[]
American Ninja Warrior 6's Propeller Bar in Stage Three
Joe Moravsky attempting Propeller Bar in American Ninja Warrior 6's Stage Three
American Ninja Warrior 7's Propeller Bar in Stage One
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American Ninja Warrior 8's Propeller Bar in Stage One
American Ninja Warrior 9's Propeller Bar in Stage One
American Ninja Warrior 10's Propeller Bar in Stage One
A variation of the Propeller Untei (called as the Propeller Bar) appeared as the fifth obstacle in Stage Three on American Ninja Warrior 6, replacing the Bungee Rope Climb from the past two American Ninja Warrior seasons.
However, unlike in SASUKE/KUNOICHI, there was only one wooden propeller (8 feet in length) that spun freely. Competitors must jump from the trampoline and grab the propeller, spun around, and then grabbed the rope, transitioning to the Hang Climb. Joe Moravsky was the only one to attempt it and had completed it.
During USA vs. The World, all competitors who attempted the obstacle could complete it.
On American Ninja Warrior 7, the obstacle was replaced by the Pole Grasper. However, starting on that season until American Ninja Warrior 10, it was moved to the new position and stage, as the second obstacle in Stage One, replacing the Giant Cycle/Giant Ring from the past two American Ninja Warrior seasons. This time, they have to jump 10 feet to grab the 8-foot propeller, after grabbing the rope, competitors must swing it to reach the landing platform.
This version of the Propeller Bar had taken out a lot of top competitors, including Sam Sann (in a similar fashion to his Giant Cycle/Giant Ring fall on American Ninja Warrior 5 and American Ninja Warrior 6), Karsten Williams, Tiana Webberley, Natalie Duran, Brittany Reid, Adam Arnold, Kacy Catanzaro (who fell on it twice in a row on American Ninja Warrior 7 and American Ninja Warrior 8, before being able to complete it on her final American Ninja Warrior appearance on American Ninja Warrior 9), Michelle Warnky, Lance Pekus, Brian Kretsch, Judas Licciardello, Jeri D'Aurelio, Allyssa Beird, Rachael Goldstein, Casidy Marks, Benjamin Humphrys, and Chris Workman.
On American Ninja Warrior 11, the obstacle was replaced by the Spin Your Wheels. Later on the same season, a similar obstacle, named Grim Sweeper, would then appear as the fifth obstacle in Stage Two.
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
Australian Ninja Warrior 3's Propeller
On Australian Ninja Warrior 3, the Propeller Bar (simply called as the Propeller) appeared as the second obstacle in Stage One, with a 3m (9.84ft) jump from the trampoline to the propeller bar.
The Propeller Bar to Rope during Australian Ninja Warrior: State of Origin
Then, the Propeller Bar (named as the Propeller Bar to Rope) appeared as the second obstacle during the first three rounds of qualifying on Australian Ninja Warrior: State of Origin.
Slide to Box Jellyfish[]
Australian Ninja Warrior's Slide to Box Jellyfish
In Australian Ninja Warrior, a variation of the Propeller Bar, called Slide to Box Jellyfish, appeared as the second obstacle in Heat 4.
On this variation, there was a propeller bar attached to a zipline and a long bungee cord. Competitors must slide the propeller bar, then reach the bungee cord and finally swing to the landing platform.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Propeller Bar (Propeller mit Seil)
In Ninja Warrior Germany, the Propeller Bar (locally known as Propeller mit Seil, literally Propeller with Rope) first appeared in Ninja Warrior Germany 2, serving as the second obstacle of the First Stage of said season. The obstacle configuration was similar to one of American Ninja Warrior 6, with this iteration also having a trampoline at the start of the obstacle. The obstacle proved to be somewhat difficult, as it eliminated nine out of 28 competitors who attempted the obstacle, also including very talented competitors, such as Max Sprenger, Sladjan Djulabic, and also the runner-up of Ninja Warrior Germany, Mirko Künstler.
Ninja Warrior Germany 3's Propeller Bar (Propeller mit Seil)
In Ninja Warrior Germany 3, the Propeller Bar then reappeared, serving as the second obstacle of both the second and the third Semi-finals Qualification of said season. This time, there is a beam that was placed between the two ropes and on which the competitors had to land first, and an additional second rope that was placed after the beam. The obstacle proved to be easy for most of the competitors, with the obstacle only eliminating one competitor in each of the two Semi-finals Qualifications.
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
Ninja Warrior Austria 3's Propeller Bar
Ninja Warrior Austria 3's Propeller Bar (viewed from starting platform)
On Ninja Warrior Austria 3, Propeller Bar appeared as the second obstacle of the Semifinals. It has a similar configuration to that in Ninja Warrior Germany 3. Contestants jump from a mini trampoline to the propeller, then grab the rope and swing to safety.
Ninja Warrior France[]
Ninja Warrior France 3's Propeller Bar
Propeller Bar (La Grande Hélice, literally The Great Propeller) appeared in Ninja Warrior France 3 as the second obstacle of Stage One. The propeller was placed 3m (9.84ft) higher than the platform.
Ninja Warrior France 6's Propeller Bar
Ninja Warrior France 6's Propeller Bar (wide view)
On Ninja Warrior France 6, Propeller Bar reappeared as the third obstacle of Stage One. The rope was further attached to a zipline.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
Ninja Warrior Poland's Propeller Bar in Semi-finals
Ninja Warrior Poland's Propeller Bar in Stage Two
In Ninja Warrior Poland, the Propeller Bar, locally called Śmigło i lina (literally Propeller and Rope) appeared as the second obstacle in the Semi-finals. Competitors would jump to a trampoline to reach a three-meter propeller bar that will lead to a rope that will aid them to the landing platform. Its also known that the distance from the trampoline to the bar is three meters.
Later, in the same season, the Propeller Bar appeared in the Finals as the second obstacle in Stage Two. Unlike American Ninja Warrior, there was an additional rope was added in which competitors must navigate after holding onto the first rope.
Ninja Warrior Poland 4's Propeller Bar
In Ninja Warrior Poland 4, the Propeller Bar returned in the Finals as the second obstacle in Stage Two. The obstacle have only a rope, making it was same as the one used during Semi-finals in Ninja Warrior Poland. It knocked out one ninja.
Ninja Warrior Poland 8's Propeller Bar
In Ninja Warrior Poland 8, the same version of the Propeller Bar used in Ninja Warrior Poland (during Semifinals) and Ninja Warrior Poland 4 returned as the second obstacle in Semi-finals. It knocked out as many as 14 ninjas throughout the six semifinals.
Ninja Israel[]
Ninja Israel 2's Propeller Bar
In Ninja Warrior Israel 2, the Propeller Bar, simply called הפרופלור (Propeller) like Australian Ninja Warrior 3, appeared as the first obstacle in every Semifinals, which was similar to the Finals' Stage Two version in Ninja Warrior Poland (since the obstacle consisted of two ropes), except that the distance between two ropes was greater. This making the obstacle was extremely brutal, as most competitors failed due to not jumping high enough from the trampoline to grab the spinning bar, or when competitors transition from the spinning bar to the ropes.
Competitor's Success Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS/NBC/Polsat/RTL broadcast and external information found.
SASUKE[]
| Propeller Untei | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
| 1 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| 2 | 9 | 9 | 100% |
| 3 | 6 | 6 | 100% |
| 4 | 10 | 10 | 100% |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 6 | 5 | 5 | 100% |
| 7 | 4 | 5 | 80% |
| 8 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| Total | 43 | 44 | 97.73% |
KUNOICHI[]
| Propeller Untei | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| KUNOICHI | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
| 10 | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| 11 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| Total | 7 | 7 | 100% |
American Ninja Warrior[]
| Propeller Bar | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
| ANW6 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| ANW7 | 82 | 96 | 85.42% |
| ANW8 | 61 | 81 | 75.31% |
| ANW9 | 82 | 89 | 92.13% |
| ANW10 | 81 | 91 | 89.01% |
| USA vs. The World | 7 | 7 | 100% |
| USA vs. The World 2 | 8 | 9 | 88.89% |
| USA vs. The World 3 | 6 | 7 | 85.71% |
| USA vs. The World 4 | 8 | 8 | 100% |
| USA vs. The World 5 | 6 | 6 | 100% |
| Total | 342 | 395 | 86.58% |
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
| Propeller Bar | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NWG | Stage | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
| NWG2 | 19 | 28 | 67.85% | |
| NWG3 | Semi-finals Qualification 2 | 15 | 16 | 93.75% |
| Semi-finals Qualification 3 | 16 | 17 | 94.11% | |
| Total | 50 | 61 | 81.96% | |
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
| Propeller Bar | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| NWP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
| NWP1 (Semi-final 1) | 7 | 8 | 87.5% |
| NWP1 (Semi-final 2) | 8 | 9 | 88.89% |
| NWP1 (Semi-final 3) | 8 | 9 | 88.89% |
| NWP1 (Semi-final 4) | 6 | 6 | 100% |
| NWP1 (Semi-final 5) | 8 | 9 | 88.89% |
| NWP1 (Semi-final 6) | 7 | 10 | 70% |
| NWP1 (Final) | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| NWP4 | 4 | 5 | 80% |
| NWP8 (Semi-final 1) | 5 | 7 | 71.43% |
| NWP8 (Semi-final 2) | 8 | 9 | 88.89% |
| NWP8 (Semi-final 3) | 7 | 9 | 77.78% |
| NWP8 (Semi-final 4) | 3 | 9 | 33.33% |
| NWP8 (Semi-final 5) | 8 | 9 | 88.89% |
| NWP8 (Semi-final 6) | 7 | 9 | 77.78% |
| Total | 89 | 111 | 80.17% |
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