Salmon Ladder

Salmon Ladder (サーモンラダー) is a Second Stage obstacle that was introduced as part of the course's renewal in SASUKE 18 after Nagano Makoto's Kanzenseiha in the previous tournament. This obstacle required a tremendous amount of upper-body strength, as competitors must grab a bar rested on two parallel walls, then start traversing a set of rungs provided. To make it harder, the bar was also not bound to the wall in any way. It proved to be a massive energy drainer and even could claim victims on its own, earning its reputation as one of the deadliest obstacles ever in SASUKE. It even caused SASUKE 19 to end on the Second Stage, as both competitors that reached it in that tournament would fail there.

As tournaments progressed, the difficulty of the obstacle prompted the producers to use this obstacle on the Final Stage starting in SASUKE 32 onwards. The concept of the obstacle is one of three obstacles in SASUKE's history to be used on different stages, beside Tackle Machine/Tackle and Rolling Maruta/Rolling Log. There are five versions of this obstacle, with some competitors, like Takeda Toshihiro, Takahashi Kenji, Morimoto Yūsuke, and Yamamoto Shingo attempting four versions of it.

Prototype

A tester demonstrating prototype Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 18, which had equidistant gaps on each of the rungs

Initially, as it was first shown on the broadcast that before the final version was used in SASUKE 18, Salmon Ladder originally had seven sets of rungs equidistant from each other. Therefore, there was no larger gap between the sixth and seventh rungs, but this also made the transition from the seventh rungs to Stick Slider significantly harder. This proved troublesome for the testers, as several of them failed to make it to Stick Slider due to the large gap. Even if they did, they struggled to keep their balance on it. This prompted the modification of having the seventh notch placed higher to make the transition to Stick Slider easier, but it did have the downside of introducing the infamous large gap between the last two rungs.

It is worth noting that in the prototype, the rungs ran deeper into the walls and were covered up, thus the walls were smooth rather than having the rungs protrude out of them like the later versions did. The rungs were no longer covered up after modifying the distance between the sixth and seventh rung.

Original Version

Salmon Ladder
Salmon Ladder connected to Stick Slider in SASUKE 21
G4 Name	Salmon Ladder
SASUKE Competitions
Stage	Second Stage
First	SASUKE 18
Last	SASUKE 24
Total	7 Competitions
First Attempt	SASUKE 18, Nagasaki Takamasa
First Clear	SASUKE 18, Nagano Makoto

The first version of Salmon Ladder appeared in SASUKE 18 to SASUKE 24. This version comprised seven sets of rungs that was arranged vertically. The gap between each rungs were equidistant, except the last gap, which was larger. After reaching the final rungs, competitors must tackle a final gap and land the bar to Stick Slider.

Okuyama Yoshiyuki attempting Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 20

Nakamura Satoshi was disqualified for touching the wall using his leg while attempting Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 23

If competitors used their feet to touch the sides, as Nakamura Satoshi did in SASUKE 23, they would be disqualified. They also would be presumably disqualified if they grabbed one of the rungs using their hands (as James Sclar did during American Ninja Warrior 4's Northwest region finals).

However, due to Okuyama Yoshiyuki's failure on Stick Slider in SASUKE 20, the producers added small stoppers to the ends of the bar to prevent the bar from sliding off of the track again. While it made Stick Slider easier, it arguably also made Salmon Ladder harder, due to the appearance of the stoppers which added more weight to the bar. This modification proved to be lethal, as Levi Meeuwenberg, who managed to clear Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 20, failed it in SASUKE 21. He then in his post-run interview said, "I don't know if it was my technique... but [it] definitely felt different.", implying that he felt something out of the ordinary to the bar due to the stopper which he suspected was the reason why he failed.

In SASUKE 24, due to Stick Slider being replaced by Unstable Bridge without a break point, competitors must now make it only to the seventh set of rungs before attempting Unstable Bridge. This only lasted a tournament, as when Urushihara Yuuji achieved Kanzenseiha later in the tournament, Salmon Ladder was replaced with Double Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 25.

Double Salmon Ladder

Double Salmon Ladder
Double Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 25
G4 Name	Double Salmon Ladder
SASUKE Competitions
Stage	Second Stage
First	SASUKE 25
Last	SASUKE 27
Total	3 Competitions
First Attempt	SASUKE 25, Satō Jun
First Clear	SASUKE 25, Satō Jun

The second version of Salmon Ladder is Double Salmon Ladder (ダブルサーモンラダー), appearing from SASUKE 25 to SASUKE 27. As the name implied, it consisted of two parallel wall sets. The first wall set has five sets of rungs which are equidistant from each other, while the second wall set has five sets of rungs and a larger gap in between the last two rungs. Competitors have to climb the first set from the back, turn their body around, then transfer to the second set of parallel walls by jumping from the first wall set to the second. After climbing up the second wall set, they transition directly into Unstable Bridge, much like Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 24.

Comparison between the Salmon Ladder (left) and the Double Salmon Ladder (right), shown via the introduction of Stage 2 in SASUKE 25

Yamamoto Shingo attempting Double Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 25

Urushihara Yuuji got the bar stuck on one of Double Salmon Ladder's rungs in SASUKE 25

While it was not that deadly in its first two tournaments due to competitors learning how to tackle an obstacle like this, the transition caused an interesting failure in SASUKE 25. When Urushihara Yuuji attempted the obstacle, the left side of the bar failed to stick to the second wall, leaving him hanging on the bar vertically with a side stopper stuck on one of the rungs. Ultimately, his foot touched the water after the bar dropped one rung, thus eliminating him.

In SASUKE 27, the caps on the end of the bar were removed, likely due to Iketani Naoki's rather heartbreaking failure in the previous tournament. This time, the obstacle would end up eliminating eight competitors, including Kanno Hitoshi as he refused to attempt the obstacle due to a shoulder injury he obtained from clearing First Stage. However, the modification again did not last long due to Urushihara's second Kanzenseiha in that tournament, prompting the producers to replace it with Swap Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 28.

Swap Salmon Ladder

Swap Salmon Ladder
Swap Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 30
G4 Name	Swap Salmon Ladder
SASUKE Competitions
Stage	Second Stage
First	SASUKE 28
Last	SASUKE 30
Total	3 Competitions
First Attempt	SASUKE 28, Someya Koki
First Clear	SASUKE 28, Asa Kazuma

The third version of Salmon Ladder is Swap Salmon Ladder (スワップサーモンラダー), appearing from SASUKE 28 to SASUKE 30. Like Double Salmon Ladder, it consisted of two parallel wall sets, however, both were an equal distance away from the water and there was a total of five rungs only, three on the left side and two on the right side, making it the version with lowest number of rungs. Similar to the jump in Double Salmon Ladder, competitors must jump from one rung on one side to another rung on the other side. However, when progressing up the ladder, they must also jump upwards and across the gap.

Unlike the previous versions, Swap Salmon Ladder's rungs automatically protrude the sides of the wall, generally switching to the reachable side when the competitors were swinging from the opposite wall and retract when the competitors was on the rung directly beneath it. This was to prevent the competitors from just climbing it vertically, which would defeat the purpose of this version in the process. Upon reaching the top rungs, competitors must move immediately to Unstable Bridge.

Nagasaki Shunsuke attempting Swap Salmon Ladder in SASUKE 29

Swap Salmon Ladder's rung protrusions in ascending order as shown in SASUKE 28.

Aesthetically speaking, Swap Salmon Ladder was also different in that the wall sets were changed to thin metal support beams as opposed to being thick walls, likely due to the mechanism and space restrictions. Likewise, the beams lacked the bottom supports of the previous versions, instead simply hanging from the scaffolding above. This resulted in the obstacle shaking more than previous versions.

Due to safety reasons, any competitor that landed the bar unevenly or dropping to a lower level would no longer be able to correct it and immediately be disqualified, as was proven by Takami Toshiharu in SASUKE 29, when he landed the bar lop-sided and was not allowed to continue his run. Though the rungs that have already been passed can be retracted back to its previous position, the operators had a difficult time moving the rungs back especially when the competitor attempts the obstacle in a fast pace. This was officially announced as a new rule in SASUKE 30, where it ended the runs of many famed competitors like Takeda Toshihiro, Nagano Makoto, and even controversially ending Takahashi Kenji's 100% clear rate on Second Stage.

It was replaced by the combination of Salmon Ladder Nobori and Salmon Ladder Kudari in SASUKE 31, making this version so far the only version of Salmon Ladder to be replaced without the impetus of Kanzenseiha.

Salmon Ladder Nobori & Salmon Ladder Kudari

Salmon Ladder Nobori
Hioki Masashi attempting Salmon Ladder Nobori in SASUKE 31
SASUKE Competitions
Stage	Second Stage
First	SASUKE 31
Last	SASUKE 41
Total	11 Competitions
First Attempt	SASUKE 31, Hioki Masashi
First Clear	SASUKE 31, Hioki Masashi

Salmon Ladder Kudari
Hioki Masashi attempting Salmon Ladder Kudari in SASUKE 31
SASUKE Competitions
Stage	Second Stage
First	SASUKE 31
Last	SASUKE 41
Total	11 Competitions
First Attempt	SASUKE 31, Hioki Masashi
First Clear	SASUKE 31, Hioki Masashi

The fourth version of Salmon Ladder is a combination of Salmon Ladder Nobori (サーモンラダー上り) and Salmon Ladder Kudari (サーモンラダー下り), literally Salmon Ladder Ascent and Salmon Ladder Descent. It was first demonstrated on TBS's official YouTube channel, before making its proper debut in SASUKE 31. There are five rungs on Salmon Ladder Nobori, while there are four rungs on Salmon Ladder Kudari. It was later revealed in the broadcast that each rung is 40 cm (15.75 in) apart, later then lowered to 38 cm (14.961 in) in SASUKE 34.

As the name implied, the first wall set had to be traversed by going upward, akin to the original Salmon Ladder. However, when transitioned to the second wall set, competitor had to traverse it downwards. Once they reach the bottom of the second wall set, they must swing to a sloped landing platform to clear the obstacle, making this the first Salmon Ladder variant where there is no obstacle directly preceding it without a break zone, unless one were to count that Salmon Ladder Kudari is a direct succession to Salmon Ladder Nobori. Each wall set are considered as individual obstacle.

Hioki Masashi attempting transition from Salmon Ladder Nobori to Salmon Ladder Kudari in SASUKE 31

To prevent competitors to jump from the top of the second wall set, a screen wall is set up barricaded between the landing platform and the top rungs, forcing competitors to jump down to the last set of rungs. Also, unlike Swap Salmon Ladder, if the bar went lopsided, they are still allowed to continue attempting the obstacle. Furthermore, the competitors were no longer required to make the transition with the bar, as a bar was provided on each wall set.

Aesthetically speaking, this version also saw the return of the larger wall-sets akin to the first two versions, though these received an aesthetic upgrade to be painted in dark grey with a yellow circuit pattern on the side, whereas the previous versions simply used a monochrome white-grey coloration. However, just like Swap Salmon Ladder, the wall sets hang from the scaffolding, lacking bottom-supports, causing the obstacle to shake while it is attempted.

This version of Salmon Ladder is the first version not to be removed with the impetus of Kanzenseiha, as it was not replaced or modified in SASUKE 32, the tournament immediately following the obstacle's debut, where Morimoto Yūsuke achieved Kanzenseiha. Later, it would also became the first version not to be removed with the impetus of Kanzenseiha twice, as it was not replaced or modified in SASUKE 39.

In it debut tournament, based on external information, Anastase Ragivaru had a small slip-up on the obstacle, but powered through so hard, that he ended up breaking a few rungs, which led to a half hour break to repair the rungs.

In SASUKE 37, due to the poor weather, the new obstacle known as Rolling Log was skipped, forcing competitors to start at Salmon Ladder Nobori instead, making it the first Salmon Ladder variant that served as the first obstacle of Second Stage, while still keeping a Salmon Ladder variant on its usual position as the second obstacle. However, Rolling Log worked in SASUKE 38, inflicting dizziness onto competitors before they could attempt this obstacle, which caused several failures, with Matachi Ryo in particular failing at the Nobori portion.

Due to the fact that the Second Stage course went relatively unchanged in SASUKE 39, competitors in this tournament would face the same troubles as the previous competition. However, competitors would get used to recovering from the dizziness of the Rolling Log much quicker, making it easier for them to progress the obstacle and the course afterwards. Because of this, only Goto Yusuke failed the transition between the Nobori and Kudari sections.

Salmon Ladder Jūgo Dan

Salmon Ladder Jūgo Dan
Morimoto Yūsuke attempting Salmon Ladder Jūgo Dan in SASUKE 35
SASUKE Competitions
Stage	Final Stage
First	SASUKE 32
Last	SASUKE World Cup 1
Total	11 Competitions
First Attempt	SASUKE 35, Morimoto Yūsuke
First Clear	SASUKE 35, Morimoto Yūsuke

The Final Stage version of Salmon Ladder is Salmon Ladder Jūgo Dan (サーモンラダー15段), literally 15-level Salmon Ladder, appearing from SASUKE 32. It is the first ever Salmon Ladder appearing in Final Stage. Originally, it had 20 rungs, before being lowered to 16 from SASUKE 33 onwards, including the starting rung. The height of the obstacle was 7 meters and later revealed that each rung is 45 cm apart. This version was referred as Salmon Ladder (サーモンラダー) since its debut until SASUKE 35. As a side note, for safety reasons concerning the transition to Tsuna Nobori that directly follows this obstacle, the bar locks into place once the competitor has reached the top rung.

In the first three tournaments since its debut, due to the difficulty of the Third Stage, this version of Salmon Ladder, along with the Final Stage, was not attempted until SASUKE 35 and again in SASUKE 36, the obstacle was attempted by Morimoto Yūsuke. In SASUKE 35, although he could clear the obstacle, he lost too much time correcting the bar, as the bar kept uneven for several times. As a result, he later timed out about 5 meters short from the goal. In SASUKE 36, he could clear the obstacle faster than he did on the previous tournament, although there were several slips. However, possibly due to the wind, he could not transition right away to Tsuna Nobori, losing him precious time that proved to be costly as he timed out by 0.5 seconds.

In the following tournament, however, the obstacle received attempts from new faces other than Morimoto, unfortunately due to their lack of training, both Tada Tatsuya and Rene Kaselowsky failed the obstacle by timing out and the bar dislodged, respectively.

Morimoto returned to Final Stage in SASUKE 38 after his failure on First Stage in the previous tournament. From there, his pace on Salmon Ladder is similar to his attempt in SASUKE 36, but he was able to grab Tsuna Nobori immediately after he cleared the obstacle. This would lead to him clearing the stage with 2.52 seconds remaining, thus achieving his second Kanzenseiha.

Morimoto Yūsuke attempting transition from top of Speed Climbing to Salmon Ladder Jūgo Dan in SASUKE 40

After Morimoto's second kanzenseiha, the obstacle would return as the second obstacle of the Final Stage in SASUKE 39. This time, it is preceded by the Speed Climbing. Due to the nature of the previous obstacle in which competitors must climb atop the wall before reaching over the bar, increases the transition time in-between obstacles, wasting valuable time in completing the Final Stage as a whole.

In SASUKE 40, Yamamoto Yoshiyuki and Morimoto Yūsuke managed to clear the obstacle, while Tada Tatsuya would once again time out in a similar pacing to his past attempt. Yamamoto barely cleared the obstacle as he timed out immediately after attempting the Tsuna Nobori while Morimoto would time out by a few meters.

The obstacle and the stage as a whole wasn’t attempted during SASUKE 41 but during the SASUKE World Cup 1 competition, due to the exclusion of the time limit, it was proven to be easier as both Sean Bryan and Morimoto Yūsuke were able to conquer the obstacle.

Other Appearances

Most international SASUKE/Ninja Warrior formats (except American Ninja Warrior, SASUKE Vietnam and SASUKE Ninja Warrior Mongolia) didn’t have the floating mat in any versions of Salmon Ladder.

Salmon Ladder

American Ninja Warrior

American Ninja Warrior 2's Salmon Ladder

American Ninja Warrior 4's Salmon Ladder

American Ninja Warrior 5's Salmon Ladder in Venice Beach

American Ninja Warrior 6's Salmon Ladder

Jake Murray was about to attempt the Salmon Ladder in American Ninja Warrior 8

The Salmon Ladder appears as the seventh obstacle in all semifinal/city finals courses on American Ninja Warrior, except on the first, fifteenth, and sixteenth season. However, between American Ninja Warrior and SASUKE version of the Salmon Ladder, there are several differences:

• There is a trampoline added at the starting platform. Therefore, competitors must jump from the trampoline and grab the bar. In some city finals courses, there is a run-up or a 3-foot (0.91-meter) tall platform before competitors can jump to the trampoline.
• Competitors must reach a minimum number of rungs, before making the transition to the next obstacle:
  • The fourth rung on American Ninja Warrior 3 and American Ninja Warrior 4.
  • The sixth rung on American Ninja Warrior 5 (Venice Beach and Baltimore).
  • The fifth rung on American Ninja Warrior 5 (Miami and Denver), American Ninja Warrior 6 to American Ninja Warrior 14.
• The gap between each rung is shorter than the SASUKE version (currently, the distance between each rung on American Ninja Warrior is 1 foot/30.48cm).
• The bar used on the obstacle is shorter than the SASUKE version, which made it easier to derail.
• The entire obstacle is suspended from the ceiling without bottom supports, causing it to shake with each jump. However, subsequent improvements addressed this issue by reinforcing the Salmon Ladder's walls, making them more rigid and thinner, and by adding additional supports.
  

There are a few notable attempts on this obstacle:

• In American Ninja Warrior 6, Kacy Catanzaro became the first female competitor to attempt this obstacle during Dallas finals and completed it. Later, during St. Louis finals, Michelle Warnky became the second female competitor to attempt it but failed (missed the jump from trampoline).
• In American Ninja Warrior 7, Jessie Graff became the third female competitor to attempt it and the second to complete it during Venice Beach finals.
• In American Ninja Warrior 8, Jessie Graff once again conquered it during the Los Angeles finals, Meagan Martin became the fourth female competitor to attempt it and the third to cleared it during the Indianapolis finals, and later, during the Philadelphia finals, Jesse Labreck became the fifth female competitor to attempt it and the fourth to complete it.
• In American Ninja Warrior 9, seven female competitors completed this obstacle during the city finals rounds and three did it for the first time (Rebekah Bonilla during the Los Angeles finals, Barclay Stockett during the San Antonio finals, Jessie Graff during the Daytona Beach finals, Michelle Warnky, Jesse Labreck, and Allyssa Beird during the Cleveland finals, and Meagan Martin during the Denver finals).
• In American Ninja Warrior 10, nine female competitors completed this obstacle during the city finals, and three did it for the first time (Anna Shumaker and Tiana Webberley during the Los Angeles finals, Barclay Stockett during the Dallas finals, Rachael Goldstein and Jessie Graff during the Miami finals, Jesse Labreck during the Indianapolis finals, Michelle Warnky and Allyssa Beird during the Philadelphia finals, and Meagan Martin during the Minneapolis finals).
• In American Ninja Warrior 11, a record eleven female competitors completed the obstacle during the city finals, and five did it for the first time (Tiana Webberley during the Los Angeles finals, Barclay Stockett, Taylor Amann, and Maggi Thorne during the Oklahoma City finals, Mady Howard, Sandy Zimmerman, and Jessie Graff during the Seattle/Tacoma finals, Allyssa Beird during the Baltimore finals, and Jesse Labreck, Jeri D'Aurelio, and Michelle Warnky during the Cincinnati finals). Additionally, Karen Wiltin failed on the obstacle during Oklahoma City finals. Atlanta was the only city on that season where the Salmon Ladder was not attempted by female competitors.
• In American Ninja Warrior 12, three women completed the obstacle during the semifinals; Sandy Zimmerman, Jessie Graff, and Jesse Labreck, and all of them had completed it the year before. Jesse Labreck was the only one to complete it during the finals.
• In American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship, five competitors completed it that episode, all of whom had done so already: Meagan Martin, Jesse Labreck, Mady Howard, Tiana Webberley, and Sandy Zimmerman.
• In American Ninja Warrior 13, eight women completed the obstacle, including five for the first time ever, including Isabella Wakeham, Rachel Degutz, Casey Rothschild, Cara Mack, and Megan Rowe. Tiana Webberley, Meagan Martin, and Jesse Labreck all completed it again.
• In American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 2, four women completed the obstacle, all of whom had done it before: Jesse Labreck, Megan Rowe, Meagan Martin, and Allyssa Beird. Casey Rothschild and Zhanique Lovett both failed the obstacle.
• In American Ninja Warrior 14, only two women attempted the obstacle, and both completed it: Karen Potts and Katie Bone. Both were teenagers.
• During Celebrity Ninja Warrior: Red Nose Day, Stephen Amell successfully completed the Salmon Ladder since it was also his training tool on his television series Arrow.
• During American Ninja Warrior 7's Venice Beach finals, Ben Melick completed this obstacle with a "reverse approach" by facing and attempting the obstacle backwards to make the transition between the Salmon Ladder and the next obstacle easier. Later, this technique was also done by:
  • Drew Drechsel during Orlando finals on the same season, and
  • Najee Richardson during American Ninja Warrior 9's Cleveland finals, American Ninja Warrior 10's Philadelphia finals, American Ninja Warrior 11’s Baltimore finals, and American Ninja Warrior 12’s semifinals.

An inclined version of this obstacle was used as part of American Ninja Warrior 13's Power Tower.

Due to both a change in format for the semifinals and the constantly high clear rate, it was removed in American Ninja Warrior 15.

Team Ninja Warrior

Team Ninja Warrior's Dueling Salmon Ladders

Salmon Ladders made an appearance on Team Ninja Warrior, now renamed Dueling Salmon Ladders. Despite the name change, it is identical the Salmon Ladder in the City Finals. There are eight rungs in total, but the competitors must reach at least the fourth to proceed to the next obstacle.

Other SASUKE International Formats

Australian Ninja Warrior's Salmon Ladder

SASUKE Vietnam's Salmon Ladder connected to Rope Swing

SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia's Salmon Ladder in Final Stage

Ninja Warrior France's Salmon Ladder

Ninja Warrior Poland's Salmon Ladder

Ninja Israel's Salmon Ladder

Ninja Warrior Germany's Salmon Ladder

Team Ninja Warrior Germany's Dueling Salmon Ladders

The Salmon Ladder has been used in all of SASUKE/Ninja Warrior's international formats, with the different rules of minimum rungs competitors have to reach dependent on each course. It has appeared on but not limited to:

• Ninja Warrior UK.
• Australian Ninja Warrior.
• Ninja Warrior Sweden.
• Ninja Warrior Germany (locally called Himmelsleiter, literally Ladder to Heaven).
• Ninja Warrior France (locally called L'Échelle d'Hercule, literally The Ladder of Hercules).
• Ninja Warrior Poland (locally called Ruchomy Drążek, literally Movable Stick).
• Ninja Israel (literally translated סולם הסלמון).
• SASUKE Vietnam (literally translated Thang Cá Hồi).
• SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia.

Most international formats would place the obstacle, or one of its variants, in Semifinals rounds (like in American Ninja Warrior) or their Finals' Stage Two (like in SASUKE). However, several international formats placed the Salmon Ladder in other stages/rounds, such as:

• Heats (Ninja Warrior Germany (season 5, 6 and 7), Ninja Warrior Israel 5).
• Stage One (Ninja Warrior Sweden, Ninja Warrior Israel 2, Australian Ninja Warrior 5, Ninja Warrior Germany 7).
• Stage Three (SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia).

The Salmon Ladder in most international SASUKE/Ninja Warrior formats is similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior (despite several versions having removed the trampoline), with the minimum number of rungs required to clear it being commonly set to the fourth rung. However, the Salmon Ladder in SASUKE Vietnam was very similar to the one used from SASUKE 18 to SASUKE 24 (since competitors must stand on a pulled landing platform before reach the bar), with its design being very similar to the Swap Salmon Ladder from SASUKE 28 to SASUKE 30, except the gap between each rung is shorter than the SASUKE version.

On some occasions like in Australian Ninja Warrior, Ninja Israel, and SASUKE Vietnam, the Salmon Ladder and the next obstacle succeeded to it was combined and counted as one obstacle. However, in a couple instances like in the first two seasons of Ninja Israel and SASUKE Vietnam 5, the next obstacle also served as a part of the Salmon Ladder.

In SASUKE Vietnam, there was an unusual rule where competitors would be disqualified if they pulled up their body higher than the bar. This rule came into play, as Đoàn Thanh Huy got disqualified for pulling up his body higher than the bar in SASUKE Vietnam 2. Another thing with this version of the Salmon Ladder is that the bar is significantly heavier compared to other versions.

In SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia, a special rule appeared that competitors were only allowed to make one mistake (placing the bar unevenly), and they must correct it immediately. If they fail to correct it or made the same mistake twice, they would be disqualified.

In several international formats such as Australian Ninja Warrior, Ninja Warrior Germany, Ninja Warrior Poland and Ninja Israel, the Salmon Ladder in the Finals was replaced by Double Salmon Ladder or Criss Cross Salmon Ladder, following the tradition in SASUKE and American Ninja Warrior that the Salmon Ladder in the Finals was modified to a different and harder version compared to the original Salmon Ladder used in the Heats or Semifinals.

Double Salmon Ladder

American Ninja Warrior

First Version

American Ninja Warrior 4's Double Salmon Ladder in Stage Two

American Ninja Warrior 7's Double Salmon Ladder in Stage Two

The Double Salmon Ladder was also used as the second obstacle of Stage Two from American Ninja Warrior 4 to American Ninja Warrior 7 until it was replaced by the Down Up Salmon Ladder on American Ninja Warrior 8. Just like the original, this version has a 4-foot (1.22-meter) gap between the two sets of walls, and the distance to the top rung is 2 inches higher than the rest.

Several competitors who failed on this obstacle were Evan Dollard, Brent Steffensen (who later failed on it for Team Akbar in All Stars Special), Ryan Stratis, JJ Woods, Grant McCartney, Neil Craver, Jake Murray, and Isaac Caldiero. It also knocked out Matachi Ryo, Urushihara Yuuji, and Asa Kazuma in USA vs. Japan, Stefano Ghisolfi in USA vs. The World, and Kevin Bull and Takahashi Kenji in USA vs. The World 2.

Second Version

American Ninja Warrior 13's Double Salmon Ladder in Stage Two

The Double Salmon Ladder would eventually return as the second obstacle of Stage Two on American Ninja Warrior 13, replacing the Extension Ladder from its most recent appearance. This obstacle would have a different configuration compared to the original. Its differences between the obstacle were:

• The two wall sets do not have rungs facing each other,
• Both wall sets have four pairs of rungs each with the topmost rung being a cradle, akin to a broken ladder.
• Competitors have to go up the first wall set and make a transition to the second wall set without the need to turn back.
• This obstacle would also be attempted immediately after completing the Striding Steps with no rest, making it the second version without the floating mat.

With the presence of the cradles on top of the wall sets, it brings an added difficulty of possibly overshooting the bar. Some victims of this version were Vance Walker, Tyler Gillett, Brian Burkhardt, Isaiah Wakeham, and Jesse Labreck.

For Burkhardt and Walker, they would have a second attempt at Stage Two by using the Safety Passes they won in their respective semifinal episodes. In their second runs, both of them would clear the obstacle.

American Ninja Warrior 14's Double Salmon Ladder

Later, on American Ninja Warrior 14, the same version of the Double Salmon Ladder from the previous season appeared again as the second obstacle of Stage Two. It was slightly modified, with the gap between the third and fourth rung on both wall sets being slightly larger, similar to the original version. This time, as the first instance in American Ninja Warrior's Stage Two history, no one failed the obstacle.

The obstacle also appeared during the American Ninja Warrior: Women's Championship 3, and only Megan Rowe failed this obstacle.

American Ninja Warrior 15's Double Salmon Ladder

The Double Salmon Ladder returned as the second obstacle during Stage Two in both American Ninja Warrior 15 and American Ninja Warrior 16. This time, the fourth rung of the second ladder was removed. Due to the nature of Stage Two being a side-by-side course, there may be instances where competitors would fail the obstacle due to rushing. However, this did not occur, making it the second straight time that no one failed the obstacle.

The side-by-side version of the obstacle reappeared in the fourth ever women’s championship. This time, it ensnared both Barclay Stockett (having a fall similar to Jesse Labreck in ANW13) and Isabella Wakeham (joining her brother Isaiah among the competitors that failed this obstacle).

Ninja Warrior Spain

Ninja Warrior Spain 2's Double Salmon Ladder

The Double Salmon Ladder appeared on Ninja Warrior Spain 2 as the fourth obstacle of Stage 2.

Ninja Warrior Germany

Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Double Salmon Ladder

On Ninja Warrior Germany 2, the Double Salmon Ladder appeared as the third obstacle of Stage Two. Only one competitor failed it.

Ninja Warrior Germany 3's Double Salmon Ladder connected to Hourglass Drop

Later, the Double Salmon Ladder reappeared on Ninja Warrior Germany 3 as the third obstacle of Stage Two. However, this version had two ladders with the same five rungs on each ladder, and competitors had to transfer to the second ladder right at the first rung of the first ladder. It eliminated no competitors.

Team Ninja Warrior Germany

Team Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Double Salmon Ladder

On Team Ninja Warrior Germany 2, the Double Salmon Ladder appeared as the seventh obstacle of every Seeding and Relay. Both wall sets had three rungs.

Ninja Warrior Poland

Ninja Warrior Poland 5's Double Salmon Ladder connected to Window Hang

The Double Salmon Ladder appeared on Ninja Warrior Poland 5 as the third obstacle in both the Semi-finals and the finals' Stage Two. This version had two ladders, both with three rungs. In the semifinals, it knocked out at least five competitors in the semifinals, but it eliminated no one on the finals’ Stage Two.

Ninja Warrior Poland 6's Double Salmon Ladder connected to Helix Hang

Then on Ninja Warrior Poland 6, the Double Salmon Ladder reappeared as the third obstacle of the Semi-finals round and the finals' Stage Two with the same configuration as in the previous season. In the Semi-finals, it knocked out 19 competitors, and on the finals’ Stage Two, it knocked out one competitor.

Ninja Warrior Poland 8's Double Salmon Ladder connected to Flying Shelf Grab

Later, on Ninja Warrior Poland 8, the Double Salmon Ladder returned as the third obstacle in Stage Two. Only Wojciech Rychlewski failed on it.

Ninja Warrior Poland 9's modified Double Salmon Ladder connected to the Area 51

On Ninja Warrior Poland 9, the Double Salmon Ladder returned once again appeared as the third obstacle of Stage Two. The number of rungs in the first wall was reduced to just the starting rung; competitors must immediately make the transfer to the second wall set by jumping from the first rung of the first wall set (similar to Ninja Warrior Israel 5's version).

Ninja Israel

Ninja Israel 5's Double Salmon Ladder

Ninja Israel 5's Double Salmon Ladder connected to Angry Birds

In Ninja Warrior Israel 5, the Double Salmon Ladder, simply called סולם הסלמון (Salmon Ladder) appeared as the eighth obstacle of the Stage One, preceding the Angry Birds with no rest.

It had major differences compared to other versions. Namely, both wall sets were now composed of Plexiglas walls, with a rope placed before as the medium to reach the bar. The first wall has three rungs, and the second wall has eight rungs, with the final two rungs of each wall placed equally high. However, no competitors ever climbed to the final two rungs of each wall as these were placed pointlessly high and were not useful in making the reach to the first board of the Angry Birds. This made the obstacle look like a reverse version of the Extension Ladder.

Salmon Ladder Nobori and Salmon Ladder Kudari

American Ninja Warrior

American Ninja Warrior 8's Down Up Salmon Ladder in Stage Two

A variation of the Salmon Ladder Nobori and Salmon Ladder Kudari appeared on American Ninja Warrior 8 as the second obstacle of Stage Two and was known as the Down Up Salmon Ladder. Its differences between those obstacles were:

• It was considered as one obstacle rather than two.
• It had no floating mat; competitors begin attempting this obstacle by stepping off the two stationary starting blocks.
• Competitors had to go down the first wall set, and then up the second wall set.
• Competitors had to make a transition to the second wall set with the same bar instead of transiting to an individual second bar (similar to the Double Salmon Ladder).

This was the first version that didn’t have the floating mat as two bars were present after the Giant Ring Swing. It only eliminated four competitors during the regular season (Grant McCartney, Thomas Stillings, Najee Richardson, and Ethan Swanson), as well as Bjarke Tønnesen from Team Europe during USA vs. The World 3. It was replaced by the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder the next season.

SASUKE Ninja Warrior Mongolia

SASUKE Ninja Warrior Mongolia's Salmon Ladder in Stage Two

A variation of the Salmon Ladder Nobori and Salmon Ladder Kudari appeared on SASUKE Ninja Warrior Mongolia, as the second obstacle of Stage Two. Its appearance is similar to the aforementioned versions but there are noticeable differences, with those being:

• The number of rungs, with three on the first set and two on the second set.
• The placement of the bars, with both resting at the bottom part of both sets.
• It was considered as one obstacle rather than two.
• Competitors are not required to jump a maximum number of rungs.
  • This led to competitors to jump up one rung in the first set, make the transition to the bar of the second set and make the transition to the landing platform immediately.

In its appearance, this obstacle is responsible for many failures as most competitors have no experience of attempting the obstacle, or show struggle when reaching the first bar due to the ladder being placed too high, as well as the floating mattress being very unstable.

Salmon Ladder Jūgo Dan

Australian Ninja Warrior

Australian Ninja Warrior 5's Salmon Ladder in Final Stage

The Final Stage version of the Salmon Ladder made its international debut on Australian Ninja Warrior 5 as a part of their redesigned Final Stage tower. It appeared as the exact spot where it was on SASUKE 32-38's Final Stage, as the second obstacle, between the Chimney Climb and Rope Climb. This version had the function similar to version appeared in SASUKE 32, with 20 rungs at 7 meters (22.97 feet); however, the design was similar to the version appeared from SASUKE 35, with the rungs positioned facing the back of the tower, so competitors didn't have to turn around after completing the Chimney Climb.

The Salmon Ladder would later be removed in the following season.

Ninja Warrior Germany

Ninja Warrior Germany 7's Salmon Ladder in Final Stage

After both Moritz Hans and René Casselly managed to complete the Final Stage in Ninja Warrior Germany 6, the Final Stage got completely renewed for Ninja Warrior Germany 7 and the Salmon Ladder got added to the Final Stage tower and served as the second obstacle of stage, right between the Chimney Climb and Rope Climb. Via René Casselly's pre-Preliminary Round interview during Ninja Warrior Germany 8 (2023) and multiple other interviews with competitors outside of the actual show, following information are known about this Salmon Ladder:

• The height of the Salmon Ladder is 6 meters (approx. 19.86 feet),
• The obstacle consists of 10 rungs (unlike in SASUKE and Australian Ninja Warrior), with each rung being 60 centimeters (approx. 23.62 inches) apart,
• The bar of the obstacle is made of aluminum, which makes the bar of this Salmon Ladder heavier compared to the normal Salmon Ladders, which have a carbon bar,
• The layout is similar to that of the Salmon Ladder Jūgo Dan from SASUKE 35 onwards, as the rungs have been positioned facing the back of the tower, so competitors wouldn't have to turn around after completing the Chimney Climb,
• And, unlike in SASUKE, the bar would not lock into place once it is placed on the topmost rung.

Unfortunately, this new Final Stage, along with the strict time limit of 30 seconds, proved to be too much for both Max Görner and Moritz Hans, with both of them failing the Salmon Ladder, with Max Görner derailing the bar at the seventh rung and Moritz Hans derailing the bar at the fourth rung.

It returned in Ninja Warrior Germany 8, being finally attempted and cleared by Philipp Göthert, who then timed out less than halfway up the Rope Climb.

Criss Cross Salmon Ladder

American Ninja Warrior

American Ninja Warrior 9's Criss Cross Salmon Ladder in Stage Two

On American Ninja Warrior 9, a variation of the Salmon Ladder named as the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder appeared as the second obstacle of Stage Two, replacing the Down Up Salmon Ladder from the previous season.

The obstacle was similar to the Double and Swap Salmon Ladder, with the presence of two wall sets and having a transition from one wall to another, but unlike those versions:

• The first wall set had five rungs, with a much larger gap between the third and fourth rungs that forced the competitors to switch to the other wall, and
• The second wall set had four rungs.

On this obstacle, competitors have to:

• Move the bar up two rungs to reach the third rung.
• Then, after reaching the third rung of the first wall set, competitors must make a 2.5ft (76.2cm) transfer to the second wall set by jumping from the third rung of the first wall set to the second wall set.
• Then, competitors must climb the second wall set until reaching the fourth rung.
• After that, competitors must make a transfer back to the first wall set by jumping from the fourth rung of the second wall set to the fifth rung of the first wall set.
• Finally, competitors must make a transition to the next obstacle (the Wave Runner), in order to complete the obstacle.

In addition, the obstacle shared similarity with predecessors (i.e. variants of the Salmon Ladder in Stage Two) except with the aforementioned modification.

Only three competitors failed on this version of the Salmon Ladder (Nick Hanson, Allyssa Beird, and Nicholas Coolridge), in addition to Sebastian Prieto from Team Latin America during USA vs. The World 4.

American Ninja Warrior 10's Criss Cross Salmon Ladder in Stage Two

On American Ninja Warrior 10, the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder returned once again as the second obstacle of Stage Two. This time, after completing the obstacle, competitors must make a transition to the Déjà Vu.

This time, the obstacle did more damage than on the previous season, taking out five competitors overall, including Adam Rayl and Nicholas Coolridge (for the second straight season). However, no one failed it during USA vs The World 5, but Barclay Stockett failed it for Team Kristine during the All Star Special 4.

It was replaced by the Extension Ladder in the next season.

Australian Ninja Warrior

Australian Ninja Warrior 5's Criss Cross Salmon to Slingshot

On Australian Ninja Warrior 5, the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder as the first obstacle of Stage Three, with a trampoline at the start. This and the next obstacle, Slingshot, was counted as the same obstacle named the Criss Cross Salmon to Slingshot. This obstacle shockingly took out Charlie Robbins on the debut season.

Australian Ninja Warrior 6's Criss Cross Salmon to Slingshot

The Criss Cross Salmon to Slingshot reappeared in Australian Ninja Warrior 6, once again as the first obstacle of Stage Three. The mini tramp at the start was removed.

Ninja Warrior Germany

Ninja Warrior Germany 4's Criss Cross Salmon Ladder connected to Leaps of Faith

Ninja Warrior Germany 5's Criss Cross Salmon ladder connected to Captain's Wheel

Ninja Warrior Germany 6's Criss Cross Salmon Ladder connected to Ring Chaser

The Criss Cross Salmon Ladder made its first appearance outside of American Ninja Warrior on Ninja Warrior Germany 4 (where it eliminated four competitors) and Ninja Warrior Germany 5 (where it eliminated one competitor) as the third obstacle of Stage Two. It then appeared on Ninja Warrior Germany 6 as the fourth obstacle of the Semifinals, with a trampoline added at the start. It eliminated 22 competitors.

Ninja Israel

Ninja Israel 3's Criss Cross Salmon Ladder

Ninja Israel 3's Criss Cross Salmon Ladder connected to Trapeze Swing

In Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder, locally called סולם הסלמון הכפול (literally Double Salmon Ladder) appeared as the eighth obstacle of the Finals' Stage One. However, the obstacle was very different compared to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 9, in which:

• The first wall has four rungs with a large gap between the first and second rung.
• The second wall has five rungs with a gap between the third and fourth rung.
  • However, no competitors ever climbed to the final two rungs of the second wall as these were placed pointlessly high and were not useful in making the reach to the stationary bar.

Due to this difference, competitors have to:

• Make a transfer to the second wall set by jumping from the first rung of the first wall set to the second wall set.
• Then, competitors must climb the second wall set to the third rung.
• Next, competitors must make a transfer back to the first wall set by jumping from the third rung of the second wall set to the first wall set.
• After that, competitors must climb the first wall set to the fourth rung.
• Finally, competitors must grab the stationary bar, then grab and swing the trapeze to the landing platform, in order to complete the obstacle.

Ninja Israel 4's Criss Cross Salmon Ladder connected to Dropping Shelves

Then, in Ninja Warrior Israel 4, the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder moved as the seventh obstacle of the Finals' Stage One. The obstacle was heavily modified, in which:

• The first wall has three rungs, with a massive gap between the second and third rung.
• The second wall has four rungs.

Due to this modification, competitors have to:

• Move the bar up one rung to reach the second rung.
• Then, competitors must make a transfer to the second wall set by jumping from the second rung of the first wall set to the second wall set.
• Next, competitors must climb the second wall set until reaching the fourth rung.
• After that, competitors must make a transfer back to the first wall set by jumping from the fourth rung of the second wall set to the third rung of the first wall set.
• Finally, competitors must reach to the resting bar, which gave competitors the chance to rest before attempting the Dropping Shelves.

After Yuval Shemla and Yogev Malka's total victories, the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder was replaced by the Double Salmon Ladder on Ninja Warrior Israel 5, following the tradition in which the course would be modified after a total victory was achieved.

Extension Ladder

American Ninja Warrior

American Ninja Warrior 11's Extension Ladder in Stage Two

On American Ninja Warrior 11, a variation of the Salmon Ladder, named as the Extension Ladder, appeared as the second obstacle of Stage Two, replacing the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder from the past two seasons.

The obstacle was similar to the Double Salmon Ladder, with the presence of two wall sets and having a transition from one wall to another, except that one of the wall sets had rungs placed at the top, forcing the competitors to reach the top of the other wall set to transit.

Compared to the Criss Cross Salmon Ladder, the first three rungs on the first wall set were removed, leaving with only two rungs, and the competitors instead began at the second wall set.

The obstacle functioned just like its predecessor, the Double Salmon Ladder, except some rungs on one of the wall sets were removed.

In addition, the obstacle shared similarity with its predecessors (i.e. variants of the Salmon Ladder in Stage Two) except with the aforementioned modification.

Competitors must move the bar up four times to reach the fifth rung, with the first three rungs (including the starting rung) being 12 inches apart, and the fourth and fifth rungs being 14 inches (35.56 centimeters) apart. Then, they must make a 4-foot transfer to the second wall set, containing two rungs 16 inches (40.64 centimeters) apart, and reach the foothold as a medium to the next obstacle (the Snap Back).

This version of the Salmon Ladder wasn't as deadly as its predecessors as the obstacle only took out Grant McCartney and Dave Cavanagh, as well as Team Europe's Anton Fomenko during USA vs. The World 6.

On American Ninja Warrior 13, it was replaced by the Double Salmon Ladder.

Super Salmon Ladder

American Ninja Warrior

On American Ninja Warrior: All Stars Special, a variation of the Salmon Ladder and possibly the Salmon Ladder Jūgo Dan, named the Super Salmon Ladder, appeared as an event within the Skills Competition of the special. It would end up being a staple event throughout the next four specials. The obstacle consisted of a supersized version of the Salmon Ladder, with 35 rungs and about 4 stories (13.2 meters) tall but was made taller in the third All Stars Special with 40 rungs and reverted back to 35 rungs in the next All Stars Special. It took place in the area of Stage One, above the pool where the second obstacle is usually located.

Each competitor would start at the second rung and were given one attempt to reach the highest rung possible. Whoever reached the highest rung would be crowned the champion of the event. However, if there were at least two competitors who could reach the highest rung, the competitor who reached it in the fastest time would be the champion.

There have been three separate winners across the specials it appeared in, with two of them having won twice.

• Mike Bernardo in American Ninja Warrior: All Stars Special.
• Karsten Williams in American Ninja Warrior: All Stars Special 2 and American Ninja Warrior: All Stars Special 5 (All Cut).
• Sean Bryan in American Ninja Warrior: All Stars Special 3 and American Ninja Warrior: All Stars Special 4, who has the fastest time of 0:17.40 to conquer the obstacle.

The event was noticeably absent in American Ninja Warrior: All Stars Special 5 due to the participation of Drew Drechsel. Despite the fact that he didn't win the event (unlike with Twist and Soar), due to U.S. current legal proceedings, the entire event was cut from broadcast. The event was never used again after this tournament.

Australian Ninja Warrior

In Australian Ninja Warrior: Record Breakers, the Super Salmon Ladder was the first event of this special. The obstacle consisted of a supersized version of the Salmon Ladder, with 35 rungs and about four stories in height, and taking place at the Stage Four tower. Each competitor tried to reach the highest rung as possible. Whoever reached the highest rung would be the champion. However, if there were at least two competitors who could reach the highest rung, the competitor who reached it in the fastest time would be the champion. Only Zak Stolz cleared the Super Salmon Ladder and became champion.

No change was made to this obstacle on Australian Ninja Warrior: Record Breakers 2, and only Saxon Johnstone cleared the Super Salmon Ladder and became champion.

Ninja Warrior Germany

Ninja Warrior Germany All-Stars's Super Salmon Ladder (Endlose Himmelsleiter)

Ninja Warrior Germany All-Stars 2's Super Salmon Ladder (Endlose Himmelsleiter)

In Ninja Warrior Germany All-Stars, the Super Salmon Ladder (Endlose Himmelsleiter, literally Endless Ladder to Heaven) appeared as the only obstacle in the Final-Round 3. This Salmon Ladder would consist of 35 rungs in total. Following the classic Super Salmon Ladder rules, the competitors (in this case the winner of the preceding duels) would go one after the other. The two competitors who either completed the obstacle in the best time (in case of three or more finishers), or made it the highest in the best time (in case of multiple competitors failing the exact same rung transition) would advance to the final duel on the Power Tower of the season.

In the first All-Stars season, five competitors attempted the obstacle. And the obstacle proved to be brutal (as expected), as only one of the five competitors, Kim Marschner, could actually clear the obstacle. Astrid Sibon (the Last Woman Standing) fell at the 24th rung, Moritz Hans derailed the bar at the transition from the 28th to the 29th rung, Yasin El Azzazy derailed the bar at the transition from the 33rd to the 34th rung, and Sladjan Djulabic fell at the transition from the 34th to the 35th rung. At the end, Kim Marschner and Sladjan Djulabic advanced to the final duel.

Ninja Warrior Germany 8's Super Salmon Ladder (Endlose Himmelsleiter)

A top down view of Super Salmon Ladder in Ninja Warrior Germany 8

Then, in Ninja Warrior Germany 8, the Super Salmon Ladder reappeared, marking its first appearance in a regular competition of Ninja Warrior Germany and the second time in the history of International SASUKE/Ninja Warrior shows (after Ninja Israel) that this obstacle appeared in a regular season of a Ninja Warrior show. This time, the amount of rungs got reduced to 30 (due to the limited height of the recording location). And, following the Ninja Warrior Germany All-Stars rules, the competitors (in this case the Top 4 of the preceding Preliminary Round) would go one after the other. The competitor who either completed the obstacle in the best time (in case of two or more finishers), or made it the highest in the best time (in case of multiple competitors failing the exact same rung transition) would not only receive a cash prize of 5,000 € but would also receive the Speed Pass (mistakenly called Safety Pass by the producers of Ninja Warrior Germany), meaning that the competitor would automatically advance to the Finals of the season.

At the end of the season, twelve competitors completed the Super Salmon Ladder:

• Tim Wolf (Preliminary Round 2) (Speed Pass Winner)
• Leon Wismann (Preliminary Round 2)
• Daniel Gerber (Preliminary Round 2)
• Stefan Angermeier (Preliminary Round 3) (Speed Pass Winner)
• Joel Mattli (Preliminary Round 3)
• Lukas Kilian (Preliminary Round 4) (Speed Pass Winner)
• Max Gorner (Preliminary Round 4)
• Ole Janek (Preliminary Round 5)
• Simon Brunner (Preliminary Round 5) (Speed Pass Winner) (Fastest time to conquer it this season.)
• Moritz Hans (Preliminary Round 5)
• Lukas Homann (Preliminary Round 6) (Speed Pass Winner) (Youngest to win the Speed Pass this season.)
• Dominique Karlin (Preliminary Round 6)

In the first Preliminary Round, the obstacle proved to be tricky, as none of the four competitors could actually clear the obstacle. Gary Hines derailed the bar at the transition from the 10th to the 12th rung, while Artur Schreiber derailed the bar at the transition from the 24th to the 25th rung. Christian Balkheimer and Sladjan Djulabic on the other hand produced quite unique failures on this obstacle, as both of them actually managed to reach the top rung (the 30th rung) of the obstacle but failed to press the button above the top rung and then got disqualified for supporting themselves on the rung construction. And while Christian Balkheimer actually tried to reach out for the button and then simply missed the button, Sladjan Djulabic forgot that he had to press the button in order to clear this obstacle (this was due to the fact that he was normally used to the obstacle being considered cleared as soon as he would reach the top rung) and realized his mistake after he got disqualified. In the second Preliminary Round, only Jona Schöne failed it when he derailed the bar at the tenth rung. In the third Preliminary Round, Daniel Schmidt and Giovanni Ertl failed it at the twenty-seventh rung and the twenty-fifth rung respectively. In the fourth Preliminary Round, Yasin El Azzazy and Leonardo Calderon failed it at the twenty-fifth rung and the third rung respectively. In the fifth Preliminary Round, only René Casselly failed the obstacle where he failed the transition from the third to the fifth rung and derailed the bar. In the sixth Preliminary Round, Benjamin Grams and Eric Zekina failed it at the twenty-third rung and the eighteenth rung respectively.

Ninja Israel

Ninja Israel 4's Super Salmon Ladder in Hashigo Tower

Starting from Ninja Warrior Israel 4, competitors who managed to conquer the Mega Wall in their Heats would have a chance to attempt the Hashigo (Herbew: האשיגו, Japanese: はしご). The obstacle is a Super Salmon Ladder in which they must clear a total of 36 rungs, requiring competitors to jump the bar 35 times. Each attempt of the Hashigo would occur at the end of each heat. If they managed to clear the obstacle or go the farthest with the fastest time, they would receive a cash prize of ₪100,000.

However, the obstacle proved to be tricky, as only two out of ten competitors cleared it. After eight previous competitors failed on it, Yuval Shemla was the first competitor cleared the Super Salmon Ladder with 1:12.20. However, since Eshed Atzmon cleared the Super Salmon Ladder with the fastest time (0:42.40), he was considered the winner of the Hashigo and won ₪100,000.

Ninja Israel 5's Super Salmon Ladder in Mt. Midoriyama

Then, in Ninja Warrior Israel 5, the Super Salmon Ladder received a major modification. Now the obstacle was taking place at Stage Four tower (Mt. Midoriyama) instead of a separate Hashigo tower, similar to the one used in Australian Ninja Warrior: Record Breakers. The number of rungs were increased to 41, requiring competitors to jump the bar 40 times.

This modification making the obstacle proved to be tricky once again, as only two out of ten competitors cleared it. Kfir Atzmon was the first competitor to clear all 41 rungs of the Super Salmon Ladder with a time of 0:29.55. However, since his twin brother Eshed Atzmon clear all 41 rungs of the Super Salmon Ladder with the fastest time once again (00:27.83), he was considered the winner of the Hashigo once again and won ₪100,000 for his second time in a row.

Trivia

• The obstacle may have been named after a structure built to help fish bypass obstructions (such as dams or waterfalls) during migration. It may have been specifically named after salmon due to their behavior of swimming upstream a river to lay eggs at higher latitudes. The movement competitors make on this obstacle mimic those of a fish jumping out of water.

Competitors' Success Rate

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

SASUKE

Salmon Ladder
SASUKE	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
18	3	6	50%
19	0	2	0%
20	2	2	100%
21	4	8	50%
22	5	5	100%
23	11	16	68.75%
24	11	12	91.67%
Total	36	51	70.59%

Double Salmon Ladder
SASUKE	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
25	8	10	80%
26	8	10	80%
27	16	24	66.67%
Total	32	44	72.73%

Swap Salmon Ladder
SASUKE	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
28	4	5	80%
29	17	20	85%
30	17	24	70.83%
Total	38	49	77.55%

Salmon Ladder Nobori
SASUKE	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
31	13	14	92.86%
32	8	8	100%
33	9	13	69.23%
34	21	24	87.5%
35	8	8	100%
36	15	15	100%
37	10	10	100%
38	11	13	84.62%
39	13	13	100%
40	23	23	100%
41	17	18	94.44%
Total	148	159	93.08%

Salmon Ladder Kudari
SASUKE	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
31	11	13	84.62%
32	8	8	100%
33	7	9	77.78%
34	17	21	80.95%
35	8	8	100%
36	15	15	100%
37	9	10	90%
38	10	11	90.91%
39	12	13	92.31%
40	23	23	100%
41	17	17	100%
Total	137	148	92.56%

Salmon Ladder Jūgo Dan
SASUKE	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
32	0	0	N/A
33	0	0	N/A
34	0	0	N/A
35	1	1	100%
36	1	1	100%
37	0	2	0%
38	1	1	100%
39	0	0	N/A
40	2	3	66.67%
41	0	0	N/A
World Cup 1	2	2	100%
Total	7	10	70%

American Ninja Warrior

Salmon Ladder
ANW	Region/City	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
ANW2	Venice Beach	11	23	47.83%
ANW3	Venice Beach	14	24	58.33%
ANW4	Southwest	19	23	82.61%
	Midwest	17	21	80.95%
	Northeast	8	12	66.67%
	Northwest	17	18	94.44%
	Midsouth	19	24	79.17%
	Southeast	20	23	86.96%
ANW5	Venice Beach	15	26	57.69%
	Baltimore	16	25	64%
	Miami	10	22	45.45%
	Denver	28	39	71.78%
ANW6	Venice Beach	20	24	83.33%
	Dallas	17	22	77.27%
	St. Louis	20	29	68.97%
	Miami	17	24	70.83%
	Denver	16	19	84.21%
ANW7	Venice Beach	9	10	90%
	Kansas City	23	27	85.19%
	Houston	17	21	80.95%
	Orlando	18	23	78.25%
	Pittsburgh	18	21	85.71%
	San Pedro (Military)	11	16	68.75%
ANW8	Los Angeles	18	20	90%
	Atlanta	16	19	84.21%
	Indianapolis	16	17	94.12%
	Oklahoma City	12	16	75%
	Philadelphia	15	16	93.75%
ANW9	Los Angeles	19	21	90.48%
	San Antonio	24	27	88.89%
	Daytona Beach	19	25	76%
	Cleveland	22	23	95.65%
	Kansas City	9	14	64.29%
	Denver	16	20	80%
ANW10	Los Angeles	21	24	87.5%
	Dallas	18	21	85.71%
	Miami	14	16	87.5%
	Indianapolis	14	16	87.5%
	Philadelphia	12	13	92.31%
	Minneapolis	20	21	95.24%
ANW11	Los Angeles	21	23	91.3%
	Atlanta	20	20	100%
	Oklahoma City	23	26	88.46%
	Seattle-Tacoma	14	14	100%
	Baltimore	22	25	88%
	Cincinnati	14	15	93.33%
ANW12	SF EP 1	22	22	100%
	SF EP 2	17	17	100%
	Finals	16	16	100%
ANW13	SF EP 1	15	15	100%
	SF EP 2	24	26	92.31%
	SF EP 3	20	20	100%
	SF EP 4	26	26	100%
ANW14	SF EP 1	14	14	100%
	SF EP 2	13	13	100%
	SF EP 3	21	21	100%
	SF EP 4	13	14	92.86%
Total		980	1172	83.62%

Double Salmon Ladder
ANW	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
ANW4	13	21	61.90%
ANW5	11	21	52.38%
ANW6	14	18	77.78%
ANW7	30	36	83.33%
USA vs. Japan	3	6	50%
USA vs. The World	6	7	85.71%
USA vs. The World 2	7	9	77.78%
ANW13	21	26	80.77%
ANW14	25	25	100%
Women's Championship 3	5	6	83.33%
ANW15	28	28	100%
Women's Championship 4	6	8	75%
ANW16	29	29	100%
Total	198	240	82.5%

Down Up Salmon Ladder
ANW	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
ANW8	12	16	75%
USA vs. The World 3	6	7	85.71%
Total	18	23	78.26%

Criss Cross Salmon Ladder
ANW	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
ANW9	36	39	92.31%
ANW10	24	29	82.76%
USA vs. The World 4	7	8	87.5%
USA vs. The World 5	5	5	100%
Total	72	81	88.89%

Extension Ladder
ANW	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
ANW11	27	29	93.1%
USA vs. The World 6	5	6	83.33%
Total	32	35	91.43%

Ninja Warrior Poland

Salmon Ladder
NWP	Stage	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
NWP	Semi-final 1	7	7	100%
	Semi-final 2	4	8	50%
	Semi-final 3	5	8	62.5%
	Semi-final 4	5	6	83.33%
	Semi-final 5	6	8	75%
	Semi-final 6	5	7	71.43%
	Final	3	3	100%
NWP2	Semi-final 1	6	7	85.71%
	Semi-final 2	9	9	100%
	Semi-final 3	5	6	83.33%
	Semi-final 4	7	7	100%
	Semi-final 5	7	7	100%
	Semi-final 6	6	7	85.71%
	Final	6	8	75%
NWP3	Semi-final 1	7	9	77.78%
	Semi-final 2	3	6	50%
	Semi-final 3	8	9	88.89%
	Semi-final 4	8	10	80%
	Semi-final 5	4	9	44.44%
	Semi-final 6	6	8	75%
	Final	9	11	81.82%
NWP4	Semi-final 1	8	9	88.89%
	Semi-final 2	7	9	77.78%
	Semi-final 3	7	9	77.78%
	Semi-final 4	6	9	66.67%
	Semi-final 5	8	9	88.89%
	Semi-final 6	7	8	87.5%
	Final	4	4	100%
NWP7	Semi-final 1	6	6	100%
	Semi-final 2	6	8	75%
	Semi-final 3	6	6	100%
	Semi-final 4	1	2	50%
	Semi-final 5	5	6	83.33%
	Semi-final 6	6	6	100%
	Final	10	10	100%
NWP8	Semi-final 1	4	5	80%
	Semi-final 2	7	8	87.5%
	Semi-final 3	7	7	100%
	Semi-final 4	3	3	100%
	Semi-final 5	8	8	100%
	Semi-final 6	6	7	85.71%
NWP9	Semi-final 1	8	9	88.89%
	Semi-final 2	8	8	100%
	Semi-final 3	6	7	85.71%
	Semi-final 4	6	6	100%
	Semi-final 5	5	6	83.33%
	Semi-final 6	6	7	85.71%
Total		287	342	83.91%

Double Salmon Ladder
NWP	Stage	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
NWP5	Final	2	2	100%
NWP6	Final	12	13	92.31%
NWP8	Final	9	10	90%
NWP9	Final	8	8	100%
Total		31	33	93.94%

Ninja Israel

Salmon Ladder
NWI	Stage	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
NWI1	Semifinal 1	4	6	66.67%
	Semifinal 2	7	8	87.5%
	Semifinal 3	4	5	80%
	Semifinal 4	3	4	75%
	Final	4	5	80%
NWI2	Semifinal 1	6	10	60%
	Semifinal 3	8	8	100%
	Final	9	14	64.29%
NWI3	Semifinal 1	9	12	75%
	Semifinal 2	10	10	100%
	Semifinal 3	13	14	92.86%
	Semifinal 4	9	11	81.82%
NWI5	Heat 1	4	4	100%
	Heat 3	4	4	100%
	Heat 5	8	8	100%
	Heat 6	3	5	60%
	Heat 9	6	6	100%
	Heat 11	9	10	90%
Total		120	144	83.33%

Criss-Cross Salmon Ladder
NWI	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
NWI3	15	20	75%
NWI4	13	14	92.86%
Total	28	34	82.35%

Double Salmon Ladder
NWI	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
NWI5	6	12	50%
Total	6	12	50%

Super Salmon Ladder
NWI	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
NWI4	2	10	20%
NWI5	2	10	20%
Total	4	20	20%

Ninja Warrior Germany

Super Salmon Ladder
NWG	Stage	Clears	Attempts	Percentage
NWG8	Preliminary Round 1	0	4	0%
	Preliminary Round 2	3	4	75%
	Preliminary Round 3	2	4	50%
	Preliminary Round 4	2	4	50%
	Preliminary Round 5	3	4	75%
	Preliminary Round 6	2	4	50%
Total		12	24	50%