Intro[]
The 26th competition, official name: SASUKE2011謹賀新年 (literally: SASUKE 2011 Happy New Year) is the second tournament after Urushihara Yuuji's kanzenseiha in SASUKE 24. The tournament was recorded on October 19, 2010 and aired on January 2, 2011 as part of TBS' New Years Specials. Due to sharing a time slot with another show, the broadcast of the tournament was much shorter than previous tournaments, resulting in many competitor's runs getting either cut or digested.
For the second time in three tournaments, no domestic trials competition ever materialized. However, American Ninja Warrior returned for its second season (concluding the previous August), and similar to the first season, ten competitors were sent. For the first time ever, footage of a SASUKE tournament hit the airwaves before the TBS broadcast (the ten Americans that qualified through American Ninja Warrior had their runs shown in North America on December 23, 2010). A Taiwanese trials competition was also planned, but was subsequently canceled. Despite this, the venerable Lee En-Chih was invited by TBS to compete.
Only three SASUKE All-Stars were able to attend this competition (Akiyama Kazuhiko, Shiratori Bunpei, and Takeda Toshihiro, all had prior engagements). Also notably absent was Levi Meeuwenberg, who qualified for the tournament but subsequently broke his wrist and had to be replaced.
The First Stage was heavily modified from SASUKE 25. With the removal of the Rolling Maruta and Log Grip, this was the first tournament ever to not feature a log obstacle. Only three obstacles (the Soritatsu Kabe, Tarzan Rope, and Rope Ladder) returned from the previous tournament. The Jumping Spider and Half Pipe Attack returned after one tournament hiatus. Four new obstacles made their debuts (the Step Slider, Hazard Swing, and Rolling Escargot began the stage, and the Giant Swing added before the Tarzan Rope). The new obstacles did their damage, as the Rolling Escargot eliminated at least 19 competitors, including top competitors such as Takahashi Kenji, Kanno Hitoshi, Miyazaki Daisuke, Yamamoto Shingo, Patrick Cusic, and Evan Dollard. Yamada Katsumi's return engagement did not go as he hoped, as he failed at the Jumping Spider (in a remarkably similar fashion as in SASUKE 22). Nagano Makoto also failed at the Jumping Spider, meaning that no SASUKE All-Star made it halfway through the First Stage. The Giant Swing only eliminated Adam Truesdell. Tajima Naoya run was cut completely (although it is known he failed at the Jumping Spider), and Urushihara Yuuji failed at the Half Pipe Attack, meaning no former champion beat the First Stage, and no Grand Champion beat the First Stage for the first time since SASUKE 19.
Ten competitors cleared the First Stage. However, for the first time and so far only time ever, more foreign competitors made it to the Second Stage than domestic competitors, giving the rest of the competition a decidedly international flavor and sparking some national pride from the Japanese competitors that remained. A record six foreign competitors passed the First Stage, beating the old record of four (which was set in SASUKE 23). Among the six foreign competitors, five of them were Americans, which also beat the previous record of three (also set in SASUKE 23). Two American rookies (Paul Kasemir and Brent Steffensen) joined two American sophomores (Travis Furlanic and David Campbell), as first-time Second Stage competitors, along with two SASUKE veterans (Brian Orosco and Taiwan's Lee En-Chih). Domestically, Ishikawa Terukazu, Iketani Naoki, Okuyama Yoshiyuki and Hashimoto Kōji cleared the First Stage.
The Second Stage remained mostly unmodified from the last tournament. Iketani, who had competed sporadically over the last few years and hadn't cleared the First Stage since SASUKE 16, was erased by the Double Salmon Ladder, and so did Ishikawa. The modified Balance Tank claimed Travis Furlanic, while the Metal Spin eliminated Hashimoto Kōji. Paul Kasemir, Brent Steffensen, and David Campbell all cleared the Second Stage, doing so in their first attempts. Brian Orosco and Lee En-Chih also cleared. Okuyama Yoshiyuki was the only Japanese competitor to get past this stage, doing so with a mere 0.3 seconds left. This was also the first tournament in history in which Second Stage attempts were run out of order, with Okuyama's run being shown after Hashimoto's fail (despite being #97 compared to Hashimoto's #98, likely to make it appear as though the last Japanese competitor standing was the only one who clears, to create suspense). For this reason, Hashimoto's number was not shown in his competitor description at the start of his run, though it could be seen that he was wearing his number.
The Third Stage introduced one new obstacle, the Cycling Road, replacing the Floating Boards. The Roulette Cylinder was modified to include two drops into the track, much like when the Rolling Maruta morphed into the Sandan Rolling Maruta in SASUKE 13. While newcomer Paul Kasemir failed at the Doorknob Grasper, Brian Orosco failed at the Roulette Cylinder, marking the first time he did not make it past his previous failure point. David Campbell, Brent Steffensen, Lee En-Chih, and Okuyama Yoshiyuki, all made it to the Ultimate Cliffhanger. While progress was made, little more than half the obstacle was cleared with Lee and Okuyama making it the furthest and the tournament ended here.
First Stage[]
Obstacles[]
① ^Step Slider ステップスライダー
② ^Hazard Swing ハザードスイング
③ ^Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ
④ *Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー
⑤ *Half Pipe Attack ハーフパイプアタック
⑥ Soritatsu Kabe そり立つ壁
⑦ ^Giant Swing ジャイアントスイング
⑧ Tarzan Rope ターザンロープ
⑨ Rope Ladder ロープラダー
^ Denotes New Obstacle
* Denotes Modified Obstacle
Time Limit: 130 seconds
Results[]
| Number | Name (Age) | Profile | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nishida Takayuki (33) | Set a New Record for Ward 9 at 76th Hakone Ekiden | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | His foot skimmed the water. |
| 3 | Setsu Shobun (28) | Calligrapher | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi. First to beat Step Slider and Hazard Swing. |
| 4 | Satō Tomohiro (39) | Rake Maker | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi. |
| 5 | Miyazawa Kazutaka (34) | Works at Yamada Denki | ② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング | Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi. |
| 6 | ????? Tanaka | Works at Don Quixote? | ② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング | All Cut. Wore yellow shirt. Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi Intro. |
| 7 | Torisawa Katsuhide (38) | Former National 75kg Class Weightlifting Team Member | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Missed the rope completely and divided into the water. |
| 8 | Kishimoto Shinya (31) | The Muscle Man Who Can Bend a Wok Super Fast | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | |
| 9 | Carlos (28) | Acrobat Juggler/Muscle Musical Member | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | |
| 10 | ????? Mochizuki | Unknown | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | All Cut. Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi Intro. |
| 11 | DaiGo (24) | Metal Artist | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Digest 1-1 |
| 12 | Hioki Hiroaki (39) | Sushi Chef | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | |
| 13 | Kojima Yoshio (30) | Comedian | ② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング | Made a jump for the platform rather than swinging to it. |
| 14 | Ookubo Kazunari (33) | Shrine/Temple Builder | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Digest 1-5. |
| 15 | Mokumoto Ryousuke (23) | Won the 2008 USA Cheerleading Nationals | ④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー | First to beat Rolling Escargot. |
| 16 | Suzuki Tomoyuki (36) | Baker | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi. |
| 17 | Serizawa Ruka (27) | Charismatic Host | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | |
| 18 | Kano Eiko (28) | Mr. Narcissist | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | |
| 19 | Nishimori Youichi (31) | Comedic Duo "Monster Engine" | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Digest 2-1. |
| 20 | Oobayashi Kenji (27) | Comedic Duo "Monster Engine" | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Digest 2-2. |
| 22 | Satō Ayumu (27) | Charasmatic Model | ② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング | Digest 1-2. |
| Dancho (36) | Comedic Trio "Yasuda Dai Circus" | ② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング | Digest 1-3. | |
| Fujiwara Tomoki (23) | Actor / Talent | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Digest 1-7. | |
| Unknown | Unknown | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | All Cut. Seen in intro. | |
| 24 | Mori Kohei (22) | Shinsengumi Rien Member | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | All Cut. First Attempt. |
| 24 | Mori Kohei (22) | Shinsengumi Rien Member | ④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー | Second Attempt. |
| 25 | Sakakibara Tetsuji (21) | Shinsengumi Rien Member | ④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー | All Cut. First Attempt. |
| 25 | Sakakibara Tetsuji (21) | Shinsengumi Rien Member | ⑤ Half-Pipe Attack ハーフパイプアタック | Second Attempt. |
| 26 | Tokoro Hideo (33) | Mixed Martial Artist | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | |
| 27 | Minowaman (34) | Mixed Martial Artist | ② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング | |
| 28 | Honda Yasuto (41) | Former National Soccer Team Member | ② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング | Digest 2-7. |
| 29 | Kawahara Takuya | Muscle Musical Member | ⑤ Half Pipe Attack | All Cut. First Attempt. |
| 29 | Kawahara Takuya (23) | Muscle Musical Member | ⑨ Rope Ladder ロープラダー | Second Attempt. Time Out. First to beat Giant Swing. |
| 30 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | All Cut. |
| 31 | Echigo Daiki (25) | Fitness Instructor | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Digest 1-6. |
| 33 | Okayasu Tabito (24) | 4 Years Parkour Experience | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi. |
| 35 | Unknown | Unknown | ④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー | All Cut. Shown in intro. |
| 36 | Aya Vanessa (24) | Women's Rugby Player | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Digest 1-9. |
| Suzuki Ayaka (22) | Specialty Rabbit Shop Worker | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi. | |
| Aoki Yuuko (27) | TBS Announcer | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | ||
| Demizu Mai (26) | TBS Announcer | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Her feet touched the water | |
| Okamoto Mari (21) | Impersonation Comedian | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Digest 2-3. | |
| Fukuda Ayano (22) | Impersonation Comedian | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Digest 2-4. | |
| 41 | Tejima Yuu (21) | Gravure Idol | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Digest 1-4. |
| 42 | Unknown | Firefighter | Unknown | All Cut. Wore orange shirt and blue pants. |
| 43 | Komiya Rie (33) | KUNOICHI Kanzenseihasha | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Digest 1-8. |
| 44 | Unknown | Unknown | ② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング | All Cut. Female wearing white shirt and black shorts. Shown in SASUKE 26 Intro. |
| 45 | Nomura Masaki (58) | Actor / "Ironman of the Colosseum" | ② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング | Digest 2-6. |
| 46 | Harashima Masami (47) | Hang Glider Man | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi. |
| 47 | Aoki Yasuo (53) | The Fascinating 3-D Sculptor | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi. |
| 48 | Kuramochi Minoru (63) | The World's Octopus Store Manager | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | |
| 51 | Ishimaru Kenjiro (57) | Actor / "See the World By Train" Narrator | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Digest 1-10. |
| 53 | Haraguchi Akimasa (35) | Impersonation Comedian | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | Digest 2-5. |
| 54 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | All Cut. Wore black track suit. |
| 56 | Kawaguchi Makoto | Bruce Lee Impersonator | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | All Cut. Shown in commercial during SASUKE 26 Navi. |
| 57 | Saitō Kazuhiro | Capoeira Instructor | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | All Cut. |
| 58 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | All Cut. Known to have at least made it to the Rolling Escargot. |
| 59 | Adam Laplante (23) | American Representative (10th Place)
Perdue University Student |
⑤ Half-Pipe Attack ハーフパイプアタック | All Cut. Shown on American Ninja Warrior 2. |
| 60 | Patrick Cusic (21) | American Representative (9th Place)
Gymnastics Instructor |
③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | All Cut. Shown on American Ninja Warrior 2. |
| 61 | Paul Kasemir (24) | American Representative (8th Place)
Software Engineer |
Clear (00.84 seconds left) | First to beat SASUKE 26's First Stage. |
| 63 | Matachi Ryo (21) | Painter | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | All Cut. External Information. |
| 64 | Hioki Masashi (29) | Electronics Store Worker | ⑥ Soritatsu Kabe そり立つ壁 | All Cut. Time Out. External Information. |
| 65 | Morikami Daisuke (26) | Pro MTB Rider | ⑨ Rope Ladder ロープラダー | Time Out. Timed out just before he hit the button. |
| 66 | Furusato Ryuuji (31) | Former National Hockey Team Member | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | All Cut. Blog |
| 68 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | All Cut. Wore black shirt and blue pants. Seen during SASUKE 26 Navi. |
| 69 | Ishida Takaki (28) | Talent | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Digest 3-2. |
| 70 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | All Cut. Wore black pants. |
| 72 | Adam Truesdell (25) | American Representative (7th Place)
IT Consultant |
⑦ Giant Swing ジャイアントスイング | All Cut. Shown on American Ninja Warrior 2. |
| 73 | Evan Dollard (28) | American Representative (6th Place)
Project Manager |
③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | All Cut. Shown on American Ninja Warrior 2. |
| 74 | Brent Steffensen (30) | American Representative (5th Place)
Stuntman |
Clear (08.21 seconds left) | Numbered as #62 during the TBS broadcast. |
| 75 | Unknown | Unknown | Unknown | All Cut. Seen standing next to Yagi during Adam Truesdell's run. |
| 76 | Yagi Masumi (36) | Comedic Duo "Savannah" | ① Step Slider ステップスライダー | |
| 78 | Mori Takurō (27) | East Asian Games Gold Medal Pole Vaulter | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Digest 3-1. |
| 79 | Sekiguchi Eiichi (30) | Won the Horizontal Bar in All Japan Gymnastics Championships | ⑤ Half-Pipe Attack ハーフパイプアタック | Digest 3-3. |
| 80 | Unknown | Gibbon Slackline Japan | Unknown | All Cut. Failed somewhere after the Hazard Swing. |
| 81 | NAOTO (27) | Member of EXILE's "Sandaime J Soul Brothers" | ⑤ Half-Pipe Attack ハーフパイプアタック | |
| 82 | Unknown | Firefighter | Unknown | All Cut. Number seen in SASUKE 26 Navi. |
| 83 | Travis Furlanic (25) | American Representative (4th Place)
Works at a Pizzeria |
Clear (14.23 seconds left) | Digest 3-4. |
| Shane Daniels (24) | American Representative (3rd Place)
Stuntman |
⑨ Rope Ladder ロープラダー | All Cut. Time Out. Shown on American Ninja Warrior 2. | |
| 84 | David Campbell (33) | American Representative (2nd Place)
Musician |
Clear (21.51 seconds left) | Fastest First Stage clear of the tournament. |
| 85 | Ishikawa Terukazu (33) | Muscle Musical Member | Clear (09.26 seconds left) | |
| 86 | Tajima Naoya (25) | Works at a Delivery Company | ④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー | All Cut. External Information. |
| 87 | Iketani Naoki (37) | Monster Box World Record Holder | Clear (04.33 seconds left) | |
| 88 | Miyazaki Daisuke (29) | Handball National Team Member | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | |
| 90 | Yamada Katsumi (45) | The Returning Mr. SASUKE | ④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー | |
| 91 | Satō Hiromichi (42) | NHK's 10th Gymnastics Boy | ④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー | |
| 92 | Brian Orosco (28) | American Representative (1st Place)
Pro Freerunner |
Clear (20.58 seconds left) | |
| 93 | Kanno Hitoshi (25) | SASUKE 23 Finalist | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Digest. Full run shown on G4 |
| 94 | Yamamoto Shingo (36) | Only Man With Perfect Attendance in SASUKE | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | |
| 95 | Lee En-Chih (35) | Pro Rock Climber | Clear (01.32 seconds left) | |
| 96 | Takahashi Kenji (34) | SASUKE 24 Finalist | ③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ | Digest. Full run shown on G4 |
| 97 | Okuyama Yoshiyuki (40) | 200m Japanese Sprinter in '91 World Athletics | Clear (02.54 seconds left) | |
| 98 | Hashimoto Kōji (26) | Gym Instructor | Clear (10.70 seconds left) | Digest. Full run shown on G4 |
| 99 | Nagano Makoto (38) | Second Ever Grand Champion | ④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー | |
| 100 | Urushihara Yuuji (32) | Third Ever Grand Champion | ⑤ Half-Pipe Attack ハーフパイプアタック | Landed on the mat, but lost his balance and fell off. |
| Total | 101? Attempts | 10 Clears |
Second Stage[]
Obstacles[]
① Slider Drop スライダードロップ
② Double Salmon Ladder ダブルサーモンラダー
③ Unstable Bridge アンステーブルブリッジ
④ *Balance Tank バランスタンク
⑤ Metal Spin メタルスピン
⑥ Wall Lifting ウォールリフティング
Time Limit: 95 seconds
^ Denotes New Obstacle
* Denotes Modified Obstacle
Results[]
| Number | Name (Age) | Profile | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Paul Kasemir (24) | American Representative (8th Place)
Software Engineer |
Clear (02.51 seconds left) | First to beat SASUKE 26's Second stage. |
| 74 | Brent Steffensen (25) | American Representative (5th Place)
Stuntman |
Clear (21.68 seconds left) | Digest. |
| 83 | Travis Furlanic (25) | American Representative (4th Place)
Works at a Pizzeria |
④ Balance Tank バランスタンク | Digest. |
| 84 | David Campbell (33) | American Representative (2nd Place)
Musician |
Clear (23.4 seconds left) | Digest. Fastest Second Stage clear of the tournament. |
| 85 | Ishikawa Terukazu (33) | Muscle Musical Member | ② Double Salmon Ladder ダブルサーモンラダー | Middle Cut. |
| 87 | Iketani Naoki (37) | Monster Box World Record Holder | ② Double Salmon Ladder ダブルサーモンラダー | |
| 92 | Brian Orosco (28) | American Representative (1st Place)
Pro Freerunner |
Clear (05.7 seconds left) | Digest. |
| 95 | Lee En-Chih (36) | Pro Rock Climber | Clear (13.78 seconds left) | |
| 97 | Okuyama Yoshiyuki (40) | 200m Japanese Sprinter in '91 World Athletics | Clear (00.30 seconds left) | |
| 98 | Hashimoto Kōji (26) | Gym Instructor | ⑤ Metal Spin メタルスピン | Run shown before Okuyama. |
| Total | 10 Attempts | 6 Clears |
Third Stage[]
Obstacles[]
① *Roulette Cylinder ルーレットシリンダー
② *Doorknob Grasper ドアノブグラスパー
③ ^Cycling Road サイクリングロード
④ *Ultimate Cliffhanger アルティメットクリフハンガー
⑤ Swing Circle スイングサークル
⑥ *Bungee Rope Climb ロープクライム
⑦ Flying Bar フライングバー
^ Denotes New Obstacle
* Denotes Modified Obstacle
Results[]
| Number | Name (Age) | Profile | Result | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Paul Kasemir (24) | American Representative (8th Place)
Software Engineer |
② Drum Hopper ドアノブグラスパー | Failed Dismount |
| 74 | Brent Steffensen (25) | American Representative (5th Place)
Stuntman |
④ Ultimate Cliffhanger アルティメットクリフハンガー | Digest. Third Ledge. First to beat Cycling Road. |
| 84 | David Campbell (33) | American Representative (2nd Place)
Musician |
④ Ultimate Cliffhanger アルティメットクリフハンガー | Transition from Third to Fourth Ledge. |
| 92 | Brian Orosco (28) | American Representative (1st Place)
Pro Freerunner |
① Roulette Cylinder ルーレットシリンダー | Digest. |
| 95 | Lee En-Chih (36) | Pro Rock Climber | ④ Ultimate Cliffhanger アルティメットクリフハンガー | Fourth Ledge. |
| 97 | Okuyama Yoshiyuki (40) | 200m Japanese Sprinter in '91 World Athletics | ④ Ultimate Cliffhanger アルティメットクリフハンガー | Fourth Ledge. Last Man Standing. |
| Total | 6 Attempts | 0 Clears |
External Links[]
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||