SASUKE 26

SASUKE2011謹賀新年
Broadcast Info
TBS Date	January 2, 2011
TBS Ratings	9.0%
G4 Date	TBD
SASUKE Announcers
1st Chair	Ogasawara Wataru (First Stage (#21-40, 71-100); Third Stage)
2nd Chair	Satō Fumiyasu (First Stage (#1-20, 41-70); Second Stage)
SASUKE Results
Best	Li En Zhi, Ultimate Cliffhanger, Third Stage
Stage 1	10 Clears
Stage 2	6 Clears
Stage 3	0 Clears
Website	Official Site

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. East of the Pacific, however, a second American Ninja Warrior competition was held (concluding the previous August), the first American trials since SASUKE 23, and similar to the first American Ninja Warrior, ten competitors were sent. For the first time ever, footage of a SASUKE competition hit the airwaves before the TBS broadcast; the ten Americans that qualified through the American trials 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 Li En Zhi 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.

Stage One was heavily modified from SASUKE 25. With the removal of the Rolling Maruta and Log Grip, this was the first ever competition not to 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 a one-competition hiatus. Four brand 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; the Rolling Escargot eliminated at least 19 contestants, including top flight competitors such as Takahashi Kenji, Kanno Hitoshi, Miyazaki Daisuke and Yamamoto Shingo. Yamada Katsumi's return engagement did not go as he hoped as he failed the Jumping Spider in a remarkably similar fashion as SASUKE 22. Nagano Makoto also failed the Jumping Spider, meaning that no All-Star made it halfway through Stage One. The Giant Swing however, only eliminated one competitor. Shin Sedai's Sato Jun and Tajima Naoya were cut completely (although it is known Tajima failed the Jumping Spider) and Urushihara failed the Half Pipe Attack, meaning no former champion beat Stage One.

Ten people cleared Stage One. For the first time ever, more foreign competitors made it to Stage Two than domestic, giving the rest of the competition a decidedly international flavor and sparking some national pride from the Japanese competitors that remained. A record six foreigners passed Stage One, beating the old record of four which was set in SASUKE 23. Among the six were five Americans, which also beat the previous record of three, also set in SASUKE 23. American rookies Paul Kasemir and Brent Steffensen joined sophomores Travis Furlanic and David Campbell as first-time Stage Two competitors, along with SASUKE veterans Brian Orosco and Taiwan's Li En Zhi. Domestically, Ishikawa Terukazu, Iketani Naoki, Okuyama Yoshiyuki and Hashimoto Koji cleared.

Stage Two remained unmodified from the last competition. Iketani, who has competed sporadically over the last few years, hadn't cleared Stage One since SASUKE 16. He was erased by the Double Salmon Ladder, as was Ishikawa. The Balance Tank claimed Furlanic while another old favorite, the Metal Spin, eliminated Hashimoto. Paul Kasemir, Brent Steffenson,and David Campbell all cleared Stage Two, doing so in their first attempts. Brian Orosco and Li En Zhi also cleared. Okuyama Yoshiyuki was the only Japanese competitor to pass this stage, doing so with a mere three tenths of a second remaining.

The Third Stage introduced one new obstacle, 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. While rookie Kasemir failed the Doorknob Grasper, Orosco failed the Roulette Cylinder, marking the first time he did not make it past his previous failure point. Campbell, Steffenson, Li and Okuyama all made it to the feared Ultimate Cliffhanger. While progress was made, little more than half the obstacle was cleared with Li making it the farthest and the tournament ended here.

Stage 1

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)	Running Coach/Retired Marathonist	① Step Slider ステップスライダー
3	Setsu Shobun (28)	Penman	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi
4	Satō Tomohiro (39)	Artisan	① Step Slider ステップスライダー	Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi
5	Miyazawa Kazutaka (34)		② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング	Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi
	Unknown	Unknown	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 Japan Weighlifting Representative	① Step Slider ステップスライダー
8	Kishimoto Shinya (31)	Paper Manufacturer	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	Unknown	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
12	Hioki Hiroaki (39)	Tsukiji Sushi Shop Manager	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)	Karate	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Digest 1
15	Degawa Tetsuro (23)	Reaction Comedian	④ Rolling Escargot ジャンピングスパイダー	Digest 2
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)	Charisma 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
	Nishimori Youichi (31)	Monster Engine Comedy Duo	① Step Slider ステップスライダー	Digest 2
	Oobayashi Kenji (27)	Monster Engine Comedy Duo	① Step Slider ステップスライダー	Digest 2
22	Satō Ayumu (27)	Charisma Model	② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング	Digest 1
	Dancho (36)	Comedian	② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング	Digest 1
	Fujiwara Tomoki (23)	Talento	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Digest 1
	Unknown	Unknown	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	All Cut. Seen in intro
24	Mori Kouhei (22)	Shinsengumi Rien	Jumping Spider	First Attempt
25	Sakakibara Tetsuji (21)	Shinsengumi Rien	Halfpipe Attack	First Attempt
26?	Tokoro Hideo (33)	Mixed Martial Artist	① Step Slider ステップスライダー	Listed as #23
27	Minowaman (34)	Pro Wrestler	② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング
28	Honda Yasuto (41)	Soccer Player	② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング	Digest 2
29	Kawahara Takuya	Muscle Musical Member	Unknown	All Cut. First Attempt
30	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	All Cut. Wore blue shirt and pants.
31	Echigo (25)	Fitness	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Digest 1
33	Tabito Okayasu (24)	Four Year University Student	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.
	Aya Vanessa (24)	Women's Rugby Player	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Digest 1
	Ayaka Suzuki (22)	Bunny Family	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi
37?	Aoki Yuuko (27)	TBS Announcer	① Step Slider ステップスライダー
38?	Demizu Mai (26)	TBS Announcer	① Step Slider ステップスライダー
39?	Okamoto Mari (21)	Comedian	① Step Slider ステップスライダー	Digest 2
40?	Fukuda Ayano (22)	Comedian	① Step Slider ステップスライダー	Digest 2
41?	Tejima Yuu (21)	Gravure Idol	① Step Slider ステップスライダー	Digest 1
	Unknown	Firefighter	Unknown	All Cut. Wore orange shirt and blue pants
43?	Komiya Rie (33)	KUNOICHI Kanzenseiha	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Digest 1
	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
	Nomura Masaki (58)	Actor	② Hazard Swing ハザードスイング	Digest 2
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)	Sculptor	① Step Slider ステップスライダー	Shown in SASUKE 26 Navi
48	Kuramochi Minoru (63)	Edokko Pub Owner	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ
	Hioki Masashi	Electrician	⑥ Soritatsu Kabe そり立つ壁	All Cut. Time Out. External Information
	Mori Kouhei (22)	Shinsengumi Rien	④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー	Second Attempt
	Sakakibara Tetsuji (21)	Shinsengumi Rien	⑤ Half-Pipe Attack ハーフパイプアタック	Second Attempt
	Kawahara Takuya (23)	Muscle Musical Member	⑨ Rope Ladder ロープラダー	Second Attempt. Time Out
50s	Ishimaru Kenjiro (57)	Actor	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Digest 1
53	Haraguchi Akimasa (35)	Impersonator	① Step Slider ステップスライダー	Digest 2
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
58?	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	All Cut. Known to have at least made it to the Rolling Escargot
59?	Adam Laplante (23)	American Representative #10/Pizza Service Worker	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 #9/Gymnastics Teacher	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	All Cut. Shown on American Ninja Warrior 2
61	Paul Kasemir (28)	American Representative #8/Software Engineer	Clear (00.84 seconds left)
63	Matachi Ryo	Painter	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	All Cut. External Information
65	Morikami Daisuke (26)	MTB Rider	⑨ Rope Ladder ロープラダー	Time Out. Timed out just before he hit the button.
66	Furusato Ryuuji	Field Hockey Player	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)	Basketball Player	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Digest 3
70	Unknown	Unknown	Unknown	All Cut. Wore black pants
72?	Adam Truesdell (25)	American Representative #7/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 #6/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 (25)	American Representative #5/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)	Savanna Comedy Duo	① Step Slider ステップスライダー
78	Mori Takurō (27)	East Asian Games Pole Vault Gold Medalist	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Digest 3
	Sekiguchi Eiichi (30)	Gymnast	⑤ Half-Pipe Attack ハーフパイプアタック	Digest 3
80	Unknown	Gibbon Slackline Japan	Unknown	All Cut
81	NAOTO (27)	EXILE: J Soul Brothers Member	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
	Travis Furlanic (25)	American Representative #4/Musician/Pizza Maker	Clear (14.23 seconds left)	Digest 3
83	Shane Daniels (24)	American Representative #3/Professional Free Runner	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 #2/Musician	Clear (21.51 seconds left)
85	Ishikawa Terukazu (33)	Muscle Musical Member	Clear (09.26 seconds left)
86	Tajima Naoya (25)	Carrier Service	④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー	All Cut. External Information
87	Iketani Naoki (37)	Muscle Musical Leader	Clear (04.33 seconds left)
88	Miyazaki Daisuke (29)	Osaki Osol Handball Player	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ
90	Yamada Katsumi (45)	Mr. SASUKE	④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー
91	Satō Hiromichi (42)	10th NHK Exercise Oniisan	④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー
92	Brian Orosco (28)	American Representative #1/Professional Free Runner	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. The disc spun too fast causing him to drop.
94	Yamamoto Shingo (36)	Only Man with SASUKE Perfect Attendance Record	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ
95	Li En Zhi (35)	Pro Rock Climber	Clear (01.32 seconds left)
96	Takahashi Kenji (34)	Transportation Industry	③ Rolling Escargot ローリングエスカルゴ	Digest
97	Okuyama Yoshiyuki (40)	1991 World 200m Sprinter for Japan	Clear (02.54 seconds left)
98	Hashimoto Kōji (26)	Gym Instructor	Clear (10.70 seconds left)	Digest
99	Nagano Makoto (38)	Second Person to Achieve Kanzenseiha	④ Jumping Spider ジャンピングスパイダー
100	Urushihara Yuuji (32)	Shoe Salesman/Third Person to Achieve Kanzenseiha	⑤ Half-Pipe Attack ハーフパイプアタック	Landed on the mat, but lost his balance and fell.
	Total	101? Attempts	10 Clears

Stage 2

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 #8/Software Engineer	Clear (02.51 seconds left)
74?	Brent Steffensen (25)	American Representative #5/Stuntman	Clear (21.6 seconds left)	Digest
	Travis Furlanic (22)	American Representative #4/Former Motocross Star	④ Balance Tank バランスタンク	Digest
84	David Campbell (33)	American Representative #2/Musician	Clear (23.4 seconds left)	Digest
85	Ishikawa Terukazu (33)	Muscle Musical Member	② Double Salmon Ladder ダブルサーモンラダー
87	Iketani Naoki (37)	Muscle Musical Member	② Double Salmon Ladder ダブルサーモンラダー
92	Brian Orosco (28)	American Representative #1/Professional Free Runner	Clear (05.7 seconds left)	Digest
95	Li En Zhi (36)	Pro Rock Climber	Clear (13.78 seconds left)
97	Okuyama Yoshiyuki (40)	1991 World Athletics 200m Sprinter for Japan	Clear (00.30 seconds left)
98	Hashimoto Koji (26)	Gym Instructor	⑤ Metal Spin メタルスピン	Aired before Okuyama's run
	Total	10 Attempts	6 Clears

Stage 3

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 Unknown

⑥ Unknown

⑦ Unknown

^ Denotes New Obstacle

* Denotes Modified Obstacle

Results

Number	Name (Age)	Profile	Result	Notes
61	Paul Kasemir (24)	American Representative #8/Software Engineer	② Doorknob Grasper ドアノブグラスパー
74?	Brent Steffensen (25)	American Representative #5/Stuntman	④ Ultimate Cliffhanger アルティメットクリフハンガー	Digest. Third Ledge
84	David Campbell (33)	American Representative #2/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 #1/Professional Free Runner	① Roulette Cylinder ルーレットシリンダー	Digest
95	Li En Zhi (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)	1991 World Athletics 200m Sprinter for Japan	④ Ultimate Cliffhanger アルティメットクリフハンガー	Fourth Ledge
	Total	6 Attempts	0 Clears