American Ninja Warrior 9's Sky Hooks in San Antonio Qualifying
The Sky Hooks is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the fourth obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 9 in San Antonio.
Competitors must traverse a 24 feet (7.32 meters) pool by holding on to a free-moving ring, which was rested on a cradle, and hopping it into a hook parallel to it. Then, they must repeat it for the next two rings and make a dismount to the landing platform to advance. The second jump was 1.5 feet (45.72 centimeters) further than the first.
During San Antonio qualifiers, this obstacle was proven to be brutal, as 25 competitors failed on this obstacle, including Michael Moore, Jessell Boseman, Chris Cambre, Joe Calderon, Matt Stringer, Nico Gentry, Kesh Phillips, Flip White Jr., Ephraim Taylor, Thomas Stefanik, Josh Norton, and most notably, Kacy Catanzaro. Most of the time, competitors lost control of their motion, which affected their transfers to the next hooks. A common error done on the obstacle was a side-to-side circular motion of the body, rather than a straight body swing to the next hook.
American Ninja Warrior 9's Sky Hooks in San Antonio Finals
During San Antonio finals, the second set of hooks was removed, the dismount to the landing pad was made to 11 feet (3.35 meters). Despite this modification, the obstacle only eliminated Brittany Hanks and Kaiti Haymaker.
Other Season Appearances[]
American Ninja Warrior 10[]
American Ninja Warrior 10's Sky Hooks in Los Angeles
On American Ninja Warrior 10, the Sky Hooks appeared as the fourth obstacle during Los Angeles qualifiers, with the gap between each set of hooks increased by a few inches; now the first jump is 6 feet (1.83 meters), while the second jump is 6.5 feet (1.98 meters). Coincidentally, the obstacle was placed after the Spinning Bridge, in which both obstacles were used in San Antonio course on the previous season.
Although the third set of hooks stumbled a few competitors, such as Flip Rodriguez and Zhanique Lovett, the obstacle otherwise dealt less damage than during San Antonio qualifiers on the previous season. Even though it claimed Riles Nganga, Daniel Moreno, and Samantha Bush as some of its victims, it only wiped out 15 competitors during Los Angeles qualifiers.
Also, during Los Angeles qualifiers, four female competitors (Tiana Webberley, Anna Shumaker, Selena Laniel, and Zhanique Lovett) were able to get past it, in contrast to during San Antonio qualifiers on the previous season, when Barclay Stockett was the only female competitor to get past it. Because of this, the Sky Hooks was served as the cut off for the top 5 female competitors, with Samantha Bush claiming the final spot.
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American Ninja Warrior 10's Sky Hooks in Minneapolis
During Los Angeles finals, the obstacle was replaced by the Flying Shelf Grab. Later on the same season, the Sky Hooks reappeared as the third obstacle during Minneapolis finals, replacing the Ring Jump during Minneapolis qualifiers.
During Minneapolis finals, similar to during San Antonio finals on the previous season, the second set of hooks was removed, leaving with just two sets of hooks. Just like during San Antonio finals, three competitors failed on the obstacle. It ended the runs of Roo Yori, Dan Delano, and Sarah Schoback.
A similar obstacle named Ring Chaser later appeared on American Ninja Warrior 12, 13, and 14.
Other Appearances[]
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
Australian Ninja Warrior 2's Sky Hooks
On Australian Ninja Warrior 2, the Sky Hooks appeared as the fifth obstacle in Semifinal 1. However, the obstacle was a fusion between the Ring Swing and the Sky Hooks itself, in which:
- The first half of the obstacle worked the same as the first part of the Ring Swing, in which competitors must grab a ring, swing it, and hook it to the post.
- The second half of the obstacle worked the same as the Sky Hooks, except only one set of hooks was used. Competitors will jump the ring 2m to the next hook.
Ninja Warrior UK[]
Ninja Warrior UK 5's Sky Hooks
On Ninja Warrior UK 5, the Sky Hooks appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 3.
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
Ninja Warrior Austria 3's Sky Hooks
On Ninja Warrior Austria 3, Sky Hooks (Himmelshaken) appeared as the fourth obstacle of the timed section of Stage Two, directly following Salmon Ladder. There were two sets of hooks in total. A perpendicular fixed bar was placed before the first hook. It also appeared to have featured larger rings than in American Ninja Warrior.
Ninja Warrior France[]
Ninja Warrior France 4's Sky Hooks
On Ninja Warrior France 4, the Sky Hooks locally called the La Haute Voltige (literally The High Flight) appeared as the second obstacle in the untimed part of Stage Two. There was a pole at the start of the obstacle and all four of the competitors who attempted the obstacle were able to complete it.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 3's Sky Hooks
On Ninja Warrior Germany 3, the Sky Hooks locally called the Ring-Flug (literally Ring flight) appeared as the fourth obstacle in the finals' Stage One. There was a lachรฉ bar at the end of the obstacle. Only two competitors failed on this obstacle.
Ninja Warrior Germany Four Nations Special 1's Sky Hooks
On the Ninja Warrior Germany: Four Nations Special 1, Sky Hooks appeared as the third obstacle of Stage Two. The lache bar at the end had been moved to the start.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
Ninja Warrior Poland 3's Sky Hooks
On Ninja Warrior Poland 3, the Sky Hooks, locally called Spirala Ninji (literally Ninja Spiral), appeared as the fourth obstacle in the Semi-finals, replacing the Circuit Board. The obstacle was the most difficult obstacle during the Semi-finals, even causing Semi-final 2 to end with zero finishers. For non-finishers in some rounds, getting to this obstacle with the fastest time served as the cutoff for entry to the Finals.
It was replaced by the Bar Hop on the next season.
Ninja Israel[]
Ninja Israel 2's Sky Hooks
On Ninja Warrior Israel 2, the Sky Hooks, literally translated ืืืื ืืฉืืืื, appeared as the sixth obstacle in every Semifinals, which was very similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 9 during San Antonio qualifying (since the obstacle has three rings and six hooks), except that all six hooks were placed in a straight line, and the trampoline was removed. This made the obstacle was very easy, as no competitors failed on it.
Ninja Israel 3's Salmon Ladder to Sky Hooks
Then, on Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the Sky Hooks was combined with the Salmon Ladder as the fifth obstacle in Semifinal 2 and Semifinal 4. This time, the number of rings was reduced to two, the number of hooks was reduced to four (similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 9 during San Antonio finals), and all four hooks were placed in a zig-zag arrangement. Also, the gap between the first two hooks and the final two hooks were further than the one used in the previous season. This made the obstacle moderately brutal, as it eliminated 11 out of 19 competitors who attempted it.
Later, on Ninja Warrior Israel 5, the Sky Hooks appeared twice during the season.
Ninja Israel 5's En Garde to Sky Hooks
- Firstly, the Sky Hooks was combined with En Garde as the sixth obstacle in Heats 8 and 12. The number of rings was reduced to one and the number of hooks was reduced to two. This made the obstacle very easy, as only one competitor in Heat 12 failed on it.
Ninja Israel 5's Sky Hooks in Stage Two
- Secondly, the Sky Hooks appeared as the second obstacle in the Finals' Stage Two, which was very similar to the one used in American Ninja Warrior 9 during San Antonio finals, albeit with a rope and a lachรฉ as a medium to reach the first ring. Both Yogev Malka and Shneor Sameach attempted and cleared it.
American Ninja Warrior Junior[]
American Ninja Warrior Junior 2's Sky Hooks
The Sky Hooks appeared as the fifth obstacle in American Ninja Warrior Junior 2, for Bracket 3; kids aged 13-14. This time, only one transfer had to be made, and then a lache to an already-hooked ring. A total of 31 people fell on the obstacle including Cal Plohoros, Jonathan Godbout, Devan Alexander, Anabella Heinrichs, Addy Herman, Blake Feero, Isaiah Thomas, Caleb Brown, Josiah Pippel, Josh Auer, Avery Glantz, and Sophia Lavallee.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the NBC/RTL/Polsat/Keshet 12/TF1/PULS 4 broadcast and external information found.
American Ninja Warrior[]
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW9 (qualifiers) | 30 | 55 | 54.54% |
| ANW9 (finals) | 30 | 33 | 90.91% |
| ANW10 (Los Angeles) | 37 | 52 | 71.15% |
| ANW10 (Minneapolis) | 28 | 31 | 90.32% |
| Total | 125 | 171 | 73.10% |
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
| NWG | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWG3 | 26 | 28 | 92.86% |
| NWG: FNS | 6 | 10 | 60% |
| Total | 32 | 38 | 84.21% |
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
| NWP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWP3 (Semi-final 1) | 4 | 7 | 57.14% |
| NWP3 (Semi-final 2) | 0 | 3 | 0% |
| NWP3 (Semi-final 3) | 6 | 8 | 75% |
| NWP3 (Semi-final 4) | 5 | 8 | 62.5% |
| NWP3 (Semi-final 5) | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| NWP3 (Semi-final 6) | 2 | 6 | 33.33% |
| Total | 21 | 36 | 58.34% |
Ninja Israel[]
| NWI | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWI2 (Semifinal 1) | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| NWI2 (Semifinal 2) | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| NWI2 (Semifinal 3) | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| NWI2 (Semifinal 4) | 9 | 9 | 100% |
| NWI3 (Semifinal 2) | 2 | 10 | 20% |
| NWI3 (Semifinal 4) | 6 | 9 | 66.67% |
| NWI5 (Heat 8) | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| NWI5 (Heat 12) | 3 | 4 | 75% |
| NWI5 (Final) | 2 | 2 | 100% |
| Total | 30 | 42 | 71.43% |
Ninja Warrior France[]
| NWF | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWF4 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| Total | 4 | 4 | 100% |
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
| NWA | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| NWA3 | 5 | 8 | 62.50% |
| Total | 5 | 8 | 62.50% |
Trivia[]
- The Sky Hooks was one of the eight obstacles that won the first edition of American Ninja Warrior: Obstacle Design Challenge, and designed by Benjamin Tan. At 7 years old, Benjamin Tan is currently the youngest winner of the contest.
- The Sky Hooks had a similar concept with the second part of the Giant Ring Swing, in which competitors must jump the second ring from one hook to the other.
- Despite having very little in common with each other, for Ninja Warrior Poland, both this obstacle and the Helix Hang, were respectively given the local names of Spirala Ninji and Spirala Ninji 2.
External Links[]
American Ninja Warrior - Crashing the Course- San Antonio (Presented by POM Wonderful)