Quick Update

No really new Ninja Warrior news to report other than they picked the winners of the American Ninja Challenge contest to be sent to Japan for the 21st tournament. In Japan, that will be on this month. From g4tv.com:

"AMERICAN NINJA CHALLENGE 3 WINNERS MARK WITMER, BRIAN OROSCO AND OUR FIRST EVER FEMALE NINJA CHALLENGER LUCI ROMBERG WILL BE JOINING KEVIN, OLIVIA AND SPECIAL GUEST LEVI NEUEMBERG AT NINJAFEST 3, COMING THIS NOVEMBER."

For anyone wondering, Levi was last years winner who made it all the way to stage 3, while Kevin and Olivia are the hosts of a really boring show called "Attack of the Show" on G4. Now, this is going to be my chance to say I absolutely HATE G4's Ninja Warrior page. For what is arguably their most popular show, you basically get a small paragraph of info (half of which I just put above) the same poll that's been their literally for the last year and a half, and like 10 videos. Despite this, fans are rabidly awaiting "this November" for Ninja Warrior 21 to hit stateside. Gotta say, I can't wait.

American Ninja Challenge Voting

The voting to send 3 American challengers to compete in Ninja Warrior 21 has begun! You can find the link HERE. G4 used to have a half assed obstacle course to pick the finalists after the fan voting, but now the whole thing is entirely based off of only fan votes. My issue is I hope hope that the other voters aren't swayed by someone who may have a cool video, but they haven't done the necessary training to do well in Sasuke. A perfect example is using a trampoline. There's an obstacle in the first stage called the Jumping Spider (right) that has taken down MANY first stage competitors. Basically you have to jump from a trampoline and stick between 2 walls suspended over the water. Anyway, one of the best videos on G4 is by someone named Colin Bell. He was one of 2 finalists sent during the very depressing 19Th Sasuke. Anyway, he showed great promise but failed badly on the Jumping Spider. After not going last year Colin is back to try again. Apparently he's done some intense training and looks to be in better shape. HOWEVER, and I agree with this point that was brought up by theguy7121 from You tube, but notice in Colin's video theres NO TRAMPOLINE WHATSOEVER. If you watch his video he appears to be in great shape and could easily make it to the final stage, but can he erase the demons of Sasuke 19 and pass the Jumping Spider? I have no idea.

As for who I think should go this time, despite what I wrote about Colin I do think he deserves a 2ND chance, as well as Brian O, who had a very respectable showing in the last tournament but lost focus for a split second and failed on the flying chute. I think experience is the single greatest trait in any Ninja Warrior competitor. Colin and Brian have been there before. They know the course, they've dealt with the nerves of being up there for the first time and they could do great things. Sure, Levi was a rookie and made it all the way to stage 3, but how many Levi's are out there? That leaves us with one other person to send to Japan. Who should it be? That's where it gets interesting. Anyway, I've said my piece. Now go and vote!

Saske 21 Is On The Way...

I searched around Blogger or whatever the hell this is called for any Sasuke (Ninja Warrior in the US) related blogs and other than the random outdated one where somebody lists it as their favorite show, there's nothing very informative about it on here. So, being a pretty big fan of the show and wanting to be someone to spread the goodness of Sasuke, I'm going to begin posting tidbits about the event on here leading up to the 21st tournament. Maybe I'll do a faux-live blog or something. We have DVR now, so the world is my oyster!

Anyway, I guess I should mention for anyone reading this that doesn't know about Sasuke what the heck it is. Basically in Japan 2 times a year (one in the spring & one in the fall) the Tokyo Broadcasting System runs an extremely challenging obstacle course. 100 people from all over the world compete in 4 grueling stages testing speed, endurance, and strength. Since the first tournament in September of 1997, only 2 men have completed the full course, Kazuhiko Akiyama (Sasuke 4) and Makoto Nagano (Sasuke 17). The US cable tv station G4 sends a couple people to compete in the tournament and in Sasuke 20 Levi Meeuwenberg (who was one of the people G4 sent) was the only person to make it to the 3rd stage. Anyway, if you want to know more than my bastardized summary of Sasuke provided, then head on over to the Wikipedia page about it here.

Hopefully more to come...