American Ninja Warrior 7's Sonic Curve in Stage One
American Ninja Warrior 8's Sonic Curve in Stage One
Sonic Curve is an obstacle, firstly introduced as the fifth obstacle in Stage One from American Ninja Warrior 7 (replacing the Half Pipe Attack from the past three American Ninja Warrior seasons) to American Ninja Warrior 8.
Competitors must run in a full speed along a series of six angled steps that were increasing in height (the last step is 5 feet taller than the first step), decreasing in width, and arranged in a semicircle, in order to make a jump to a rope. Once they were on the rope, they could swing it to reach the landing platform.
The concept of the Sonic Curve was similar to its predecessor (the Half Pipe Attack), with the rope and landing platform remained the same. It took out 8 competitors in its first appearance and 3 more in its second appearance.
Parkour Run[]
American Ninja Warrior 9's Parkour Run in Stage One
A variant of the Sonic Curve, known as the Parkour Run, appeared as the fifth obstacle in Stage One on American Ninja Warrior 9, replacing the Sonic Curve itself from the past two American Ninja Warrior seasons. The obstacle was similar to the Sonic Curve, but it had several key differences:
- The Parkour Run consisted of five angled steps and a rope, with the last step being larger than the others.
- The first four steps were similar to the ones from Snake Run, except the shape was elliptical, rather than circular.
- The fourth step was positioned away from the other steps and tilted in the other direction, making it similar to the Floating Steps and forcing the competitors to switch their momentum.
- The rope was attached to a spinning wheel, like the Metal Spin.
A unique completion on the obstacle occurred during JJ Woods' run. When he got to the fourth step, he was able to jump off the step to the landing platform, rather than using the traditional method of reaching the fifth step and grabbing the rope to the landing platform. Later, this technique was also done by Drew Drechsel, as well as all the competitors who attempted the obstacle during USA vs. The World 4.
This variant of the Sonic Curve was proven to be extremely easy, as no competitor failed on this obstacle. Because of this, the obstacle was replaced by the Jeep Run on the next season.
Other Appearances[]
Sonic Curve[]
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia[]
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia 2017's Sonic Curve in Semifinal Stage 1
On SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia 2017, the Sonic Curve appeared as the fourth obstacle during Semifinal Stage One,
However, unlike on American Ninja Warrior, the steps were made larger and less steeper, as well as the landing platform was made wider. Also, competitors were not allowed to touch the steps with their hands (if they did so, the would be disqualified). This version of the Sonic Curve was proven to be much easier than on American Ninja Warrior, as only two competitors failed on this obstacle.
SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia: International Competition's Sonic Curve in Semifinal Stage 1
During SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia: Misi Operasi Midoriyama 2 and SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia: International Competition, the number of steps was reduced from six to four by removing the last two steps. Competitors must now swing farther from the rope to the landing platform.
Ninja Warrior France[]
Ninja Warrior France 2's Sonic Curve
On Ninja Warrior France 2, the Sonic Curve, locally called Le Grand Décollage (literally The Great Takeoff) appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 1 and Heat 3.
However, unlike on American Ninja Warrior, the number of angled steps reduced to five, and due to limited space constraints that the course has compared to the American version, the ramp leading up to the first step was removed. Competitors must swing the rope, now placed further away than in American Ninja Warrior, to the wider unstable landing pad instead of the narrow stable landing pad.
But just like the one used in American Ninja Warrior, the concept of the Sonic Curve was similar to its predecessor Half-Pipe Attack (literally Le Half-Pipe, which appeared as the third obstacle in Stage One on the same season), with the rope and unstable landing platform remaining the same.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 2's Sonic Curve
In Ninja Warrior Germany 2, the Sonic Curve, locally called Steilkurve mit Seil (literally Steep Curve with Rope), appeared as the first obstacle in Semifinals Qualifications 5 and 7, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior France 2.
Ninja Warrior Germany 3's Sonic Curve (Steilkurve)
Then, in Ninja Warrior Germany 3, the Sonic Curve appeared as the first obstacle in the Second Stage. This time, the number of angled steps was reduced to four (in a similar fashion to one used in SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia: Misi Operasi Midoriyama 2 and SASUKE Ninja Warrior Indonesia: International Competition). Also, competitors must swing on the rope to the landing platform on the right side of this obstacle instead of transferring onto a unstable landing pad.
Ninja Warrior Germany 7's Sonic Curve (Steilkurve)
Later, the Sonic Curve, simply called Steilkurve (literally Steep Curve) returned on Ninja Warrior Germany 7 as the first obstacle in the Third Stage. As the simpler local name already entails, the rope and landing platform got replaced by a laché bar as a medium to reach the next obstacle, the Baton Pass.
The Sonic Curve reappeared during Stage Three during Ninja Warrior Germany: Four Nations Special 3 with the same modifications as the previous season and once again no one failed the obstacle.
Parkour Run[]
Ninja Warrior France[]
Ninja Warrior France 3's Parkour Run
On Ninja Warrior France 3, Parkour Run, locally called Les Cibles Inclinées (literally Tilted Targets) appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 2. Unlike American Ninja Warrior 9, the shape of the first four steps were circular (similar to the Snake Run) rather than elliptical, and due to limited space constraints that the course has compared to the American version, competitors must swing the rope to the wider landing platform placed on the right side of this obstacle (similar to the Sonic Curve on Ninja Warrior Germany 3) instead of the narrow landing pad, so that the unique technique based on JJ Woods's run in American Ninja Warrior 9 could not be used. The angles of all five platforms were revealed for the first time, from first to last, at 38, 39, 40, 50 and 61 degrees.
As a side note, the Parkour Run in Ninja Warrior France 3 is more commonly used for some international SASUKE/Ninja Warrior formats which have space constraints.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Ninja Warrior Germany 3's Parkour Run
On Ninja Warrior Germany 3, the Parkour Run, locally called Tellersprung mit Seil (literally Plate Jump with Rope) appeared as the first obstacle in the first three Semifinals Qualifications, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior France 3.
Team Ninja Warrior Germany[]
Team Ninja Warrior 1's Parkour Run
Parkour Run (Tellersprung) appeared as the fourth obstacle of the Seeding and Relay of the Finals. This version featured five plates for each contestant, and did not feature a rope at the end.
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
Ninja Warrior Austria 2's Parkour Run
On Ninja Warrior Austria 2, the Parkour Run appeared as the third obstacle in Heat 3 and Heat 5, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior France 3.
Ninja Warrior Austria 3's Parkour Run
Then, in Ninja Warrior Austria 3, the Parkour Run appeared as the third obstacle of Heat 1, 3, 4 and 5.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
Ninja Warrior Poland 2's Parkour Run
On Ninja Warrior Poland 2, Parkour Run, locally translated Bieg Parkourowca appeared as the third obstacle during Heats, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior France 3.
Ninja Warrior Poland 4's Parkour Run 2
Then, on Ninja Warrior Poland 4, a modified version of the Parkour Run, locally called Bieg Parkourowca 2, appeared as the first obstacle in the semi-finals and finals' Stage Two. Instead of five steps and rope, there were four circular steps without a rope, which were tilted and placed alternately on both sides (they performed a similar function as Quad Steps). This made the obstacle very similar to the Godantobi.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the NBC/Polsat broadcast and external information found.
American Ninja Warrior[]
| Sonic Curve | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
| ANW7 | 49 | 57 | 85.96% |
| ANW8 | 31 | 34 | 91.18% |
| USA vs. The World 2 | 3 | 3 | 100% |
| USA vs. The World 3 | 4 | 4 | 100% |
| Total | 87 | 98 | 88.78% |
| Parkour Run | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ANW | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
| ANW9 | 53 | 53 | 100% |
| USA vs. The World 4 | 6 | 6 | 100% |
| Total | 59 | 59 | 100% |
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
| Parkour Run | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| NWP | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
| NWP4 (Semi-final 1) | 9 | 9 | 100% |
| NWP4 (Semi-final 2) | 9 | 9 | 100% |
| NWP4 (Semi-final 3) | 9 | 9 | 100% |
| NWP4 (Semi-final 4) | 9 | 9 | 100% |
| NWP4 (Semi-final 5) | 9 | 10 | 100% |
| NWP4 (Semi-final 6) | 9 | 9 | 100% |
| Total | 55 | 55 | 100% |
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
| Sonic Curve | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| NWG | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
| NWG3 (Stage Two) | 10 | 10 | 100% |
| NWG7 (Stage Three) | 7 | 7 | 100% |
| NWG: FNS3 (Stage Three) | 9 | 9 | 100% |
| Total | 26 | 26 | 100% |
Trivia[]
- During Meagan Martin's run in Stage One on American Ninja Warrior 7, when she got to Sonic Curve, Akbar Gbaja-Biamila commented, "Ride the Sonic Curve like Sonic the Hedgehog", referencing the SEGA video game character of the same name.
- The Sonic Curve became an inspiration for the debut of the Snake Run on American Ninja Warrior 8, which was instead of angled tiles, competitors have to run along a series of angled disks that differed in angles and were arranged in a 'S' track.
- Hence, the Snake Run in Ninja Warrior Poland 7 and 8 was locally called as the Parkour Run (Bieg Parkourowca).
- The Sonic Swing in Ninja Warrior Poland 8 and 9 was also locally called as the Parkour Run (Bieg Parkourowca).