Rumbling Dice

Rumbling Dice (ランブリングダイス) is an obstacle introduced during Third Stage's redesign in SASUKE 9. Competitors must hang from a metal box, roll it along a track to get to the other side to make the dismount to the landing platform to advance.

Since the obstacle was designed to be a strength drainer obstacle to drain the competitors for the later obstacles of that stage, only two competitors have ever failed on the obstacle: Yamamoto Shingo in SASUKE 9 and Yamaguchi Kōsuke in SASUKE 14. In both cases, both competitors made it to the end of the track, but didn't generate enough momentum and swing, and then came up short of the jump to the landing platform.

Kobayashi Shinji's Gloves — Kobayashi Shinji attempting Rumbling Dice with gloves in SASUKE 11

For unknown reasons, competitors were allowed to wear gloves while attempting this obstacle, as proven by Kobayashi Shinji in SASUKE 11. He would then remove the gloves after clearing the obstacle.

The obstacle received a minor modification in SASUKE 15, in which the track was installed at a lower height. This adjustment allowed taller competitors to reach the starting point without needing to jump. However, this modification made the rail somewhat slippery, resulting in noticeable idling.

It was eventually replaced by Arm Rings in SASUKE 16.

Kishimoto Shinya attempting Rumbling Dice in SASUKE 30 — Kishimoto Shinya attempting Rumbling Dice
in SASUKE 30

The Rumbling Dice then made its return in SASUKE 28 (the first SASUKE RISING tournament). In this version, the dice was noticeably smaller and heavier compared to the original version, and the track was also shortened and lowered compared to the original version. Again, serving as an energy drainer for the later obstacles in the stage, it didn't eliminate any competitors this time. It would only stay for three tournaments before being replaced by the relocated Drum Hopper in SASUKE 31, which moved in placement due to the introduction of Sidewinder R.

Other Appearances[]

American Ninja Warrior[]

ANW5 Rumbling Dice — American Ninja Warrior 5's Rumbling Dice in Baltimore

Rumbling Dice appeared as the eighth obstacle on:

American Ninja Warrior 5 during Baltimore finals,
American Ninja Warrior 6 during St. Louis finals, and
American Ninja Warrior 7 during Venice Beach finals.

The obstacle used on American Ninja Warrior 5 and 6 weighs 60 lbs (27.22 kg) and 35 lbs (15.88 kg) respectively, with a track that was 19 feet (5.79 meters) long and was similar to the Rumbling Dice from SASUKE.

JM Rumbling Dice — Joe Moravsky broke the Rumbling Dice during American Ninja Warrior 6's St. Louis finals

ANW - Broken Dice — Aftermath showing the Rumbling Dice after Joe Moravsky broke it

During American Ninja Warrior 6's St. Louis finals, Joe Moravsky became the first ever competitor to "break" the obstacle, pulling one side off the rail, due to the diagonal grip instead of the usual parallel grip between two hands. Luckily, he was able to complete it, thanks to the early dismount from the obstacle. This problem also happens in a couple other formats, such as Australian Ninja Warrior 2 and Ninja Warrior Israel 4.

ANW7 Rumbling Dice — American Ninja Warrior 7's Rumbling Dice in Venice Beach

On American Ninja Warrior 7, the obstacle was modified with two dice instead of one. The first one weighed 30 lbs (13.61kg) and was on a 6-foot (1.83-meter) track, and after completing the first dice, competitors must make a 4-foot (1.22-meter) transition to the second dice, which weighed 50 lbs (22.68kg). To avoid further happenings such as happened with Joe Moravsky during American Ninja Warrior 6's St. Louis finals, there were wires attached closer to both sides of each dice, which prevented the competitors from pulling the dices off the rail.

Since the obstacle was placed after the Salmon Ladder with no rest, the Rumbling Dice had eliminated more competitors on American Ninja Warrior than in SASUKE, likely due to fatigue and bad dismount to the landing platform.

American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja[]

NvN Rumbling Dice — American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja's Rumbling Dice

On American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja, the Rumbling Dice appeared as the eighth and penultimate obstacle of the extended course during Final Matchup, which was very similar to the one used during American Ninja Warrior 7's Venice Beach finals, with the appearance of two dices. However, there were several noticeable differences:

Both dices were at the same height, size, and weight, and
After finishing the first dice, instead of jumping to the second dice, competitors must grab a laché bar and make the transition to the second dice.

Paul Hamm, Barclay Stockett, Brian Burkhardt, Lorin Ball, and Rebekah Bonilla all failed the obstacle. But Barclay Stockett would get revenge on the obstacle in a later episode. But it was still proven by Brian Burkhardt’s run, that the dice could still be slid off the track as what happened to him.

SASUKE Vietnam[]

Ảnh chụp màn hình (21) — SASUKE Vietnam 2's Rumbling Dice

On SASUKE Vietnam 1 and SASUKE Vietnam 2, the Rumbling Dice, locally called Lật Xúc Xắc (literally Dice Flip) appeared as the third obstacle in Stage 3, which was very similar to the one used in SASUKE (since the obstacle had only one track).

RBSVN2 — A red cross sign showing Lee En-Chih disqualified for sliding the dice, shown in SASUKE Vietnam 2

A rule was put into place where sliding the dice results in disqualification. Although, this rule was hard to follow due to the dice in SASUKE Vietnam being much more slippery than the dice in SASUKE and American Ninja Warrior. Several competitors fell victim to this problem, such as Lee En-Chih on SASUKE Vietnam 2.

After David Campbell, Nguyễn Phước Huynh and Lê Văn Thực's total victories, it was replaced by the Pole Grasper and Hang Climbing on SASUKE Vietnam 3 as part of Stage Three redesign.

Australian Ninja Warrior[]

AusNW2 Rumbling Dice — Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Rumbling Dice

AuNW2 - Stage 1 - Rumbling Dice - Luke Williams broke it — The second dice rolled off the track after Luke Williams used the wrong technique to roll the dice.

On Australian Ninja Warrior 2, the Rumbling Dice appeared as the seventh obstacle in Stage One, which was very similar to the one used on American Ninja Warrior: Ninja vs. Ninja, except no laché bar placed between the dices. Also, there was a rope at the start of the obstacle, as a medium to reach the first dice. It was revealed as the weight of each dice was 22kg (48.5 lbs).

While there were wires attached sideways of the dice similar to American Ninja Warrior 7 version, due to the thinner track structure, it could still roll off the track, as two competitors, Olivia Vivian and Luke Williams, broke the first and second dice respectively, with the same reason of both diagonal grip between two hands and backward swing during the flip, increasing the torque and twists the dice of its track. Unfortunately, unlike Joe Moravsky's situation, the way that the wires were attached made the dice completely unstable as the dice could move back, forth, and spin out of control, making it harder to endure the drop as the dice breaks. Because of that, both competitors failed it.

Ninja Warrior Poland[]

NWP4 Rumbling Dice — Ninja Warrior Poland 4's Rumbling Dice

On Ninja Warrior Poland 4, the Rumbling Dice, locally called Gra w kości (literally Dice Game) appeared in the final as the fourth obstacle in Stage Two, which was very similar to the one used in Australian Ninja Warrior 2, except it was preceded by Salmon Ladder with no rest just like American Ninja Warrior 7's version. None of the competitors fell on this obstacle.

NWP7 Rumbling Dice — Ninja Warrior Poland 7's Rumbling Dice

Then, on Ninja Warrior Poland 7, the Rumbling Dice appeared again, this time as the fourth obstacle in Semi-finals with the same configuration as in the fourth season. Four competitors failed it across the six semifinals.

NWP9 Rumbling Dice — Ninja Warrior Poland 9's Rumbling Dice

Later, on Ninja Warrior Poland 9, the Rumbling Dice appeared as the fourth obstacle in Semi-finals.

Ninja Israel[]

NWI4 Rumbling Dice — Ninja Israel 4's Rumbling Dice

In Ninja Warrior Israel 4, the Rumbling Dice, locally called הקובייה המתגלגלת (literally Rolling Cube) appeared as the sixth obstacle in Semifinal 1, Semifinal 4, Semifinal 5 and the Repechage Semifinal, and was very similar to the one used in Australian Ninja Warrior 2. The obstacle was very brutal, as it eliminated eight out of 14 competitors who attempted it. It even caused the Repechange Semifinal to end with zero finishers.

Rumbling Dice Broke NWI4 better fps — Adam Brutmann broke the Rumbling Dice and fell into the water during Ninja Israel 4's Semifinal 1

Dice broke — The second dice rolled off the track after Brutmann use wrong technique to roll the dice.

NWIS4 - Semifinal 4 - Rumbling Dice -Yuvel Shamla nearly broke it — Yuval Shemla nearly broke the second dice.

Also, similar to the Rumbling Dice versions of Australian Ninja Warrior 2, even with wire support on the sides, the dice here could still roll off the track if competitors placed their hands diagonally. Adam Brutmann was the first and only victim of this, as he didn't place his hands parallel to each other, resulting in the second dice rolling off the track, which also resulted in him falling into the water quickly. Yuval Shemla nearly did the same thing, but fortunately, the dice was barely on the edge; he would push back the dice into the track and later completed this obstacle.

SASUKE Ninja Warrior Mongolia[]

SNWMongolia2019 Rumbling Dice — SASUKE Ninja Warrior Mongolia's Rumbling Dice

The Rumbling Dice (Агаарын Хүрд) appeared as the first obstacle in Stage Three of SASUKE Ninja Warrior Mongolia. This version would only feature one track in a similar design to SASUKE.

Competitors' Success Rate[]

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