Swing Circle (スイングサークル) was a Third Stage obstacle introduced in SASUKE 25 as the fifth obstacle, replacing Jumping Bars that was placed since SASUKE 14. It consisted of four rings hanging from the scaffolding above, where the competitor must jump from one ring to the next ring below it, similar to Jumping Bars. Each of the rings were placed within a small track and were themselves of the same dimension as the Gliding Ring. Due to not being secured on the short tracks, the rings were able to move freely, which made it trickier to time the transition to the next ring in comparison to Jumping Bars.
The obstacle was never attempted during its short lifespan, due to the immense difficulty of Ultimate Cliffhanger and with it being replaced by the Jumping Ring in SASUKE 27, it become one of three obstacles never attempted in SASUKE history, along with Skywalk and Sending Climber, both introduced in SASUKE 19.
Other Appearances[]
Despite being never attempted in SASUKE, it was still considered notable enough to be used and attempted in multiple international formats.
American Ninja Warrior[]
Swing Circle appeared as the fifth obstacle in American Ninja Warrior 4 in Southeast region, but with an addition of the trampoline at the starting platform, and the four circles were arranged at the same height. Contestants must jump 11 feet (3.35 meters) from the trampoline to reach the first circle. Kamerion Wimbley became the first competitor to complete it on either American Ninja Warrior or SASUKE.
Ninja Warrior UK[]
Swing Circle was used three times during the first three seasons of Ninja Warrior UK. However, the obstacle was modified in each season:
- In Ninja Warrior UK, the obstacle was similar to the one used on American Ninja Warrior 4, except there was no trampoline at the starting platform.
- In Ninja Warrior UK 2, the number of rings was reduced from four in the previous season to just three. And the gap between circles is 1.7m
- In Ninja Warrior UK 3, the number of rings was returned to four, with smaller rings than during the past two Ninja Warrior UK seasons.
Australian Ninja Warrior[]
In Australian Ninja Warrior, Swing Circle appeared as the fifth obstacle in Heat 5 and was called Swing Cycle. However, the obstacle looked similar to Circle Cross, with the absence of the ropes.
Ninja Warrior France[]
Swing Circle appeared in Ninja Warrior France 1, as the fourth obstacle of Heat 1. It was combined with the Jump Hang into one obstacle. Contestants leap from a trampoline to a Swing Circle then swing to the cargo net.
The Swing Circle in its original form appeared on Heat 1 of Ninja Warrior France 2. It was paired against the Prism See-Saw as part of the Split Decision. There were five circles arranged in a descending manner.
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
In Ninja Warrior Germany, the Swing Circle (locally known as Schwingende Ringe, literally translated as Swinging Rings) first appeared in Ninja Warrior Germany, serving as the fifth and penultimate obstacle of the first Preliminary Round of said season. In this appearance, the obstacle was similar to the Swing Circle iteration of Ninja Warrior UK, with there being no trampoline at the starting platform. Only three of the 24 competitors failed this obstacle, with one of them being the first ever competitor of Ninja Warrior Germany, Robert Maaser.
Ninja Warrior Austria[]
The Swing Circle appeared as the fourth obstacle in Heat 2 & 5 on Ninja Warrior Austria 1, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior France.
After a one-year hiatus, the Swing Circle to Cargo Net returned to the course in Ninja Warrior Austria 3, with four rings and a cargo net, and the starting trampoline was removed.
Ninja Warrior NL[]
The Swing Circle appeared as the fourth obstacle in Heat 1 of Ninja Warrior NL, which was very similar to the one used in Ninja Warrior France.
Ninja Warrior Poland[]
In Ninja Warrior Poland 4, Swing Circle appeared as the fourth obstacle during Heats. It consisted of six rings: the first three were placed gradually higher, while the next ones went lower and lower. Additionally, the spacing between the third and fourth rings was much longer, which forced the competitors to generate more swing. The obstacle notably eliminated Polish singer Joanna Lazer.
Then on Ninja Warrior Poland 5, Swing Circle reappeared as the fourth obstacle in Heat 1 and Heat 4. This time it consisted of five rings, with the distance between the third and fourth rings being much greater than before.
Ninja Israel[]
On Ninja Warrior Israel, the Swing Circle to Cargo Net, locally called טבעות לרשת (literally Rings for the Net) appeared as the fourth obstacle in Heat 3 and Heat 14. The obstacle features two rings (similar to the Jumping Ring in SASUKE 27), but the second ring was placed higher than the first ring. Competitors must grab the first ring, swing to the second, and jump from the second ring onto the cargo net.
Then, on Ninja Warrior Israel 2, the Swing Circle appeared as a part of Salmon Ladder to Rope Ladder (סולם הסלמון אל קצה הרשת), which appeared as the ninth obstacle in the Finals' Stage One. The Swing Circle was combined with the Salmon Ladder at former and Rope Ladder at latter. This time, the second ring was placed lower than the first ring, making the obstacle very similar to the Jumping Ring. After completing the Salmon Ladder part, competitors must grab the first ring, swing to the second, and jump from the second ring onto the Rope Ladder, on which they have to climb.
However, unlike SASUKE and other versions, there was a special rule in which competitors would be disqualified if they transited from the second ring to Rope Ladder hand-by-hand. This rule came into play, with Yosi Ben Yosef being the only victim of this rule.
On Ninja Warrior Israel 3, the obstacle was replaced by Wall Flip.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the TBS/RTL broadcast and external information found.
SASUKE[]
SASUKE | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|
25 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
26 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
Total | 0 | 0 | N/A |
Ninja Warrior Germany[]
NWG | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
---|---|---|---|
NWG1 | 21 | 24 | 87.5% |
Total | 21 | 24 | 87.5% |
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