Intro
The thirteenth tournament, official name: SASUKE2004春 (literally SASUKE 2004 Spring), is the first tournament after Nagano Makoto's near miss of Kanzenseiha in SASUKE 12 and the ninth tournament after Akiyama Kazuhiko's Kanzenseiha. Due to the near miss, major changes were made to the tournament, starting even before the tournament started at all, as the biggest Trials were held, having a total of 224 competitors competing for Top 30 + Top 10 woman positions to received an automatic bid to the tournament, with the rest were judged by the producers as usual. With Yamada Katsumi's absence, Yamamoto Shingo became the only competitor to hold the Perfect Attendance record (his record still stands until today, although he had once announced the retirement from the tournament in SASUKE 28, but he broke it).
The tournament's major changes were clearly seen on First Stage, as the colour of the mats was changed from green to black and every obstacle (except Tarzan Jump) was either new or modified. The modified Jump Hang took out several top competitors and the new Nejireta Kabe took out Akiyama Kazuhiko, who in the previous tournament had only narrowly missed out on getting a second attempt at Final Stage. Still, ten competitors cleared First Stage, with Nagano being the most impressive, blitzed through the stage and cleared with 29.03 seconds left, more than double the time of the second fastest finisher.
In Second Stage, the first five competitors failed in various failures and time outs. For example, Yamamoto almost cleared the stage, but his foot was trapped by Wall Lifting's third wall and ran out of time. However, the last five competitors all cleared, with these five were coincidentally the Top Five in the Trials. Interestingly, the success rate of Second Stage (50%) was lower than that the previous tournament, where ten out of eleven competitors cleared despite being no changes to the stage or time limit.
In Third Stage, four out of five competitors failed at different obstacles. Takeda Toshihiro failed at Cliffhanger Kai due to his injured right shoulder. Shiratori Bunpei made it to the landing mat of Pipe Slider, but lost his balance and falling into the water. Interestingly, each competitor who failed at Third Stage went one obstacle better than his predecessor (the only time this happened in SASUKE), with Iketani Naoki failed at Body Prop, Kobayashi Masaaki failed at Curtain Cling, Takeda failed at Cliffhanger Kai, and Shiratori failed at Pipe Slider. On the other hand, Nagano cleared Third Stage for the third consecutive time, joining Ōmori Akira who did the same achievement in the first three SASUKE tournaments. However, Nagano fell short of Kanzenseiha for the third straight time (this time, the time ran out just before he could reach the button).
First Stage
Obstacles
① ^Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー
② *Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太
③ ^Cross Bridge クロスブリッジ
④ *Jump Hang ジャンプハング
⑤ ^Nejireta Kabe ねじれた壁
⑥ *Soritatsu Kabe そり立つ壁
⑦ Tarzan Jump ターザンジャンプ
⑧ *Rope Climb ロープクライム
Time Limit: 80 seconds
Length: 85.5 m
^ Denotes New Obstacle
* Denotes Modified Obstacle
Results
Number | Name (Age) | Profile | Result | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Marufuji Naomichi (24) | Pro Wrestler | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | First to clear Prism See-Saw, Sandan Rolling Maruta, and Cross Bridge. Mis-identified as Marufuji Masamichi. |
2 | Suzuki Hisatsugu (33) | Barcelona Olympics 4 × 100m Relay Team | ③ Cross Bridge クロスブリッジ | |
3 | Nakajima Ken (38) | Bank Employee | ⑥ Soritatsu Kabe そり立つ壁 | Time Out. First to clear Nejireta Kabe. |
5 | Goso Yoji (20) | Japan Ski Team Member/35th in Trials | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | |
6 | Randy Muscle (37) | Talent | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | |
10 | YUTTA (26) | Dance Instructor | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | Started the stage about five seconds late. |
11 | Kajiwara Yuuta (23) | King Kong Comedy Duo | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | |
16 | Kawamoto Yuko (30) | Choreographer | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | |
21 | Ariyoshi Hiroyuki (29) | Talent | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | Landed on the platform but slipped backwards. |
24 | Kokubo Takaya (30) | Giants Baseball Player | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | |
29 | Ishimaru Kenjiro (50) | Actor | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | Fell together with the log. |
31 | Sudo Genki (26) | House Fighter | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | Fell together with the log. |
34 | Harashima Masami (41) | Hang Glider Man | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | |
35 | Hisago Wabo (30) | Steeplejack/16th in Trials | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | Digest 1-1. |
36 | Tanaka Mikawa (27) | Club Dancer | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | Digest 1-2. |
37 | Ōkuma Hirotaka (29) | Comedian for SHAKA | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | Digest 1-3. |
38 | Ueki Shigenori (29) | Middle School Janitor/16th in Trials | Clear (03.38 seconds left) | |
41 | Nakayama Kinnikun (26) | Comedian/11th in Trials | ③ Cross Bridge クロスブリッジ | |
42 | Maruyama Masato (56) | Auto Parts Manufacturer | ⑤ Nejireta Kabe ねじれた壁 | Made a spectacular save on Cross Bridge. |
45 | Takahashi Hiromitsu (38) | Ballet Dancer/70th in Trials | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | All-Cut. External Information. |
48 | Kitaya Motoshi (25) | 2004 Beach Flags Champion | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | All-Cut. External Information. |
51 | Ken Yasuda (32) | Professional Bodybuilder | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | All-Cut. Fell together with the log. External Information. |
53 | Unknown | Unknown | ⑤ Nejireta Kabe ねじれた壁 | All-Cut. Shown in Opening. |
54 | Kuramochi Minoru (56) | Manager of Edokko Tavern | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | Started the stage about three seconds late. |
56 | Watanabe Hisashi (67) | Shipping Industry/Oldest Competitor Ever at 67 Years Old | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | |
57 | Honma Kōta (13) | Middle School Juggler/Youngest Competitor at 13 Years Old | ⑧ Rope Climb ロープクライム | Time Out. |
58 | Aoki Yukie (15) | Saitama Prefecture High School Student | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | Digest 2-1. |
59 | Kashima Ken (53) | Real Estate Company | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | Digest 2-2. Fell together with the log. |
60 | Saiki Sho (26) | Third Generation Fruit and Vegetable Store Owner/13th in Trials | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | Digest 2-3. |
61 | Nagasawa Hidenori (38) | Jaguar Mechanic | ⑤ Nejireta Kabe ねじれた壁 | Digest 2-4. |
62 | Nishimura Miki (21) | Toyoda Automatic Mechanical Worker | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | |
63 | Saito Tomoyuki (24) | Model | ⑥ Soritatsu Kabe そり立つ壁 | All-Cut. Time Out. External Information. |
70 | Mizuno Yuko (22) | Golden Muscle MC/Third Best of Woman Competitors in Trials | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | |
71 | Nakata Daisuke (30) | Professional Trampoline Player/15th in Trials | Clear (05.43 seconds left) | |
72 | Ishimura Masato (27) | Screw Manufacturer | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | Called Daimon Ishimura on G4 broadcast. |
73 | Tanya Yujiro (31) | Radio Personality | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | |
75 | Shimizu Hideaki (27) | Firefighter/Ninth in Trials | Clear (02.57 seconds left) | |
76 | Yamamoto Shingo (29) | Gasoline Station Manager/35th in Trials | Clear (13.71 seconds left) | |
79 | Aoki Yasuo (47) | Sculptor | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | |
80 | Kameyama Masashi (23) | Plumber/Seventh in Trials | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | |
81 | Satō Manabu (25) | Public Junior High School Teacher in Tokyo/Sixth in Trials | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | |
82 | Saishu Yuuto (17) | High School Arm Wrestling Champion | ③ Cross Bridge クロスブリッジ | Digest 3-1. |
83 | Matsumoto Yudai (16) | Second Year High School Student | ⑥ Soritatsu Kabe そり立つ壁 | Digest 3-2. Time Out. |
85 | Koike Aoi (26) | Professional Body Boarder | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | All-Cut. External Information. |
86 | Kobayashi Shinji (32) | Transport and Industrial Waste | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | Digest 3-3. |
87 | Yamaguchi Kōsuke (22) | Former Fin Swimming Champion/28th in Trials | Clear (09.73 seconds left) | |
88 | Yamada Koji (29) | Gifu Prefecture Firefighter/Eighth in Trials | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | |
89 | Yusa Masami (30) | Former Beach Flags World Champion/Second Best of Woman Competitors in Trials | ④ Jump Hang ジャンプハング | Slammed her face to the platform. |
90 | Iketani Naoki (30) | Talent/Fourth in Trials | Clear (10.52 seconds left) | |
91 | Akiyama Kazuhiko (31) | Former Crab Fisherman/10th in Trials | ⑤ Nejireta Kabe ねじれた壁 | |
92 | Tamaki Misao (51) | Primary School Teacher | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | |
93 | Yamada Kotaro (27) | 2000 Men's Rhythmic Gymnastics National Champion | ③ Cross Bridge クロスブリッジ | Digest 4-1. |
94 | Yoshikawa Yasuaki (25) | Third in 2003 World Championships | ⑥ Soritatsu Kabe そり立つ壁 | Digest 4-2. Time Out. |
95 | Kobayashi Shimei]] (29) | Former National Record Holder in Pole Vaulting | ② Sandan Rolling Maruta 三段ローリング丸太 | Digest 4-3. |
96 | Izumi Mika (25) | Jazz Dance Instructor/Best of Woman Competitors in Trials | ① Prism See-Saw プリズムシーソー | |
97 | Kobayashi Masaaki (28) | Third in 1995 Individual National Championships in Gymnastics/Third in Trials | Clear (09.33 seconds left) | |
98 | Takeda Toshihiro (28) | Gifu Firefighter/First in Trials | Clear (12.92 seconds left) | |
99 | Shiratori Bunpei (36) | Inba Village, Chiba Prefecture Office Worker/Fifth in Trials | Clear (02.73 seconds left) | |
100 | Nagano Makoto (32) | Fisherman/Captain of the 28th Konpira Maru/Second in Trials | Clear (29.03 seconds left) | Fastest First Stage's Clear. |
Total | 100 Attempts | 10 Clears |
Second Stage

Obstacles
① Chain Reaction チェーンリアクション
↓ Brick Climb ブリッククライム
② Spider Walk スパイダーウォーク
③ Balance Tank バランスタンク
④ Gyakusō Conveyor 逆走コンベアー
⑤ *Wall Lifting ウォールリフティング
Time Limit: 70 seconds
* Denotes Modified Obstacle
Results
Number | Name (Age) | Profile | Result | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
38 | Ueki Shigenori (29) | Middle School Janitor/16th in Trials | ④ Gyakusō Conveyor 逆走コンベアー | Time Out. |
71 | Nakata Daisuke (30) | Professional Trampoline Player/15th in Trials | ⑤ Wall Lifting ウォールリフティング | Time Out. First Wall. |
75 | Shimizu Hideaki (27) | Firefighter/Ninth in Trials | ③ Balance Tank バランスタンク | |
76 | Yamamoto Shingo (29) | Gasoline Station Manager/35th in Trials | ⑤ Wall Lifting ウォールリフティング | Time Out. Cleared all three walls, but did not hit the button in time. Foot was trapped by the third wall. |
87 | Yamaguchi Kōsuke (22) | Former Fin Swimming Champion/28th in Trials | ⑤ Wall Lifting ウォールリフティング | Middle-Cut. Time Out. Second Wall. |
90 | Iketani Naoki (31) | Talent/Fourth in Trials | Clear (08.26 seconds left) | Shown as 08.3 seconds left on the screen. |
97 | Kobayashi Masaaki (28) | Third in 1995 Individual National Championships in Gymnastics/Third in Trials | Clear (16.67 seconds left) | |
98 | Takeda Toshihiro (28) | Gifu Firefighter/First in Trials | Clear (12.76 seconds left) | |
99 | Shiratori Bunpei (36) | Inba Village, Chiba Prefecture Office Worker/Fifth in Trials | Clear (03.60 seconds left) | |
100 | Nagano Makoto (32) | Fisherman/Captain of the 28th Konpira Maru/Second in Trials | Clear (18.77 seconds left) | Fastest Second Stage's Clear. |
Total | 10 Attempts | 5 Clears |
Third Stage

Obstacles
① Rumbling Dice ランブリングダイス
② Body Prop ボディプロップ
③ ^Curtain Cling カーテンクリング
④ Cliffhanger Kai クリフハンガー改
⑤ Pipe Slider パイプスライダー
^ Denotes New Obstacle
Results
Number | Name (Age) | Profile | Result | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
90 | Iketani Naoki (31) | Talent/Fourth in Trials | ② Body Prop ボディプロップ | |
97 | Kobayashi Masaaki (28) | Third in 1995 Individual National Championships in Gymnastics/Third in Trials | ③ Curtain Cling カーテンクリング | |
98 | Takeda Toshihiro (28) | Gifu Firefighter/First in Trials | ④ Cliffhanger Kai クリフハンガー改 | First to clear Curtain Cling. Injured. |
99 | Shiratori Bunpei (36) | Inba Village, Chiba Prefecture Office Worker/Fifth in Trials | ⑤ Pipe Slider パイプスライダー | Failed Jump. Touched down but fell backwards into the water. |
100 | Nagano Makoto (32) | Fisherman/Captain of the 28th Konpira Maru/Second in Trials | Clear | |
Total | 5 Attempts | 1 Clear |
Final Stage

Obstacles
① Spider Climb スパイダークライム (12.5m)
② Tsuna Nobori 綱登り (10m)
Results
Number | Name (Age) | Profile | Result | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
100 | Nagano Makoto (32) | Fisherman/Captain of the 28th Konpira Maru/Second in Trials | ② Tsuna Nobori 綱登り | Time Out. About 22.4 metres up. Last Man Standing. |
Total | 1 Attempt | 0 Clears |
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