Ultimate Plank (アルティメットプランク), stylized Ultimate Plank in broadcast, was a VIKING obstacle originally located in the Third Fantasy Stage for VIKING 1, however, due to the difficulty of the Second Adventure Stage, it wasn't attempted until VIKING 2. In VIKING 3, this obstacle was now located as the third obstacle of Final VIKING. It was one of the few physically demanding obstacles in VIKING, with the others being the Rope Maze and Heartbreaker.
Ultimate Plank being introduced in VIKING 2's Third Fantasy Stage
In the first two tournaments, the competitors could elect to try either this obstacle or Steady Voyager for the first obstacle of Third Fantasy Stage, whichever suited their strengths more. If the competitors elected to attempt this, they had to traverse a pegboard wall that was 8-metre long, that spelled out VIKING (though despite looking similar, it was widened to 11.2 metres in VIKING 3). The holes on the obstacle are located within the letters.
Nagano Makoto attempting Ultimate Plank in VIKING 2, viewed with close-up angle
This obstacle got its first attempt in VIKING 2 after Nagano Makoto electing to attempt this over Steady Voyager. He make it look like a child's play, clearing this obstacle in less than two minutes, becoming the only one to do so. Due to this, a prize of ¥500.000 was awarded to him, as well as a choice to either give up and take the prize right away or proceed to Bio Clock in order to have a shot at Final VIKING, which Nagano choose to proceed.
There was one more attempt on this obstacle by Minamide Kimihiro in VIKING 3, however, his attempt was a polar opposite to Nagano's, as he failed it almost immediately after starting. This was due to Minamide placing the pegs into the board too shallowly, putting his hands too low and thus giving no room to stabilize himself.
While pegboard obstacles never appeared on SASUKE (or any other Monster9 show), this concept would instead be seen on its international formats, starting with the obstacle Monkey Peg. This obstacle first appeared as the the fifth obstacle on American Ninja Warrior 5 in Miami. The Monkey Peg would then be upgraded as Monkey Pegs in American Ninja Warrior 7, then Swinging Peg Board in American Ninja Warrior 9.
Competitors' Success Rate[]
- All results based on the Fuji TV broadcast and external information found.
| VIKING | Clears | Attempts | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2 | 1 | 1 | 100% |
| 3 | 0 | 1 | 0% |
| Total | 1 | 2 | 50% |
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