Who would win SASUKE: Japan vs. USA?

[tns8597]

So I'm sure a lot of us are familiar with the USA vs. Japan and USA vs. Europe vs. Japan specials that ANW did, and how it turned out badly for the Japanese competitors, but I always thought that it was unfair because it was on the American course on the obstacles that were firstly largely based on height, and also unique obstacles that the Japanese had never seen before. 

Hence, what do you think would happen if the roles were reversed, and if there was a similar standoff except on the Japanese course? I definitely think that the Japanese would be more likely to win, because now the American competitors will be forced to try obstacles where they haven't trained for, and in a lot of cases their weight and height might work against them rather than in their favour in ANW. Also, I'm sure TBS would be less likely than NBC to cheat results (in USA vs. the World, Morimoto actually completed Stage 3 faster than the Italian guy running for Team Europe, but NBC faked that he went slower just so that Team Europe and USA would tie for the Final). Also, I can't help but think that NBC intentionally makes the course harder for the Japanese, like making the Salmon Ladder more slick or what-not, because the Japanese competitors seem to do suspiciously badly even on obstacles that they are familiar with.

[ChiBiJKT48]

Of course Japan. Only four foreigners enter Final Stage compared to maybe 20+ Japanese, and none of them is full USA citizen *for those who want to complain that Kane is an American*, and, as you stated, TBS would less likely to cheat results.

[tns8597]

That’s true, but having said that a lot less American competitors compete overall than Japanese (for obvious reasons), but I guess the ones that do compete are all very strong like Drew, Levi etc.

I personally think Japan also, but I’d only be slightly skeptical because even though Drew primarily trains for ANW he also posts the fastest times in SASUKE which could give him a win. Because ANW obstacles are far more varied and change more often, I have a feeling that the American competitors are more adaptable than the Japanese, hence why they do well in other international comps.

I reckon Japan could win if they let like Jun Sato run Stage 1 and 2 as he’s the fastest/most consistent Japanese competitor, then undeniably give someone like Morimoto Stage 3, and Keitaro Stage 4

[ChiBiJKT48]

To get it fair, how you put the match-up? Ten competitors from each country in five match from each Stage, and one for Final Stage. Please forgive me for my lack of competitor's knowledge from USA, as I only include those who get to Third Stage at ANW 11 *opening SASUKEpedia right now* and/or ever compete at SASUKE.

First Stage:
01. Oshima Ayano vs. Jessie Graff/Suzuki Yusuke vs. Josh Salinas
02. Kawaguchi Tomohiro vs. Levi Meeuwenberg
03. Nagasaki Shunsuke vs. David Campbell
04. Hioki Masashi vs. Brian Orosco
05. Sato Jun vs. Drew Drechsel

Second Stage:
01. Yamamoto Keitaro vs. Jamie Rahn
02. Hioki Masashi vs. Ryan Stratis
03. Tada Tatsuya vs. Levi Meeuwenberg
04. Kawaguchi Tomohiro vs. Joe Moravsky
05. Sato Jun vs. Daniel Gil

Third Stage:
01. Yamamoto Keitaro vs. David Campbell
02. Urushihara Yuuji vs. Seth Rogers
03. Matachi Ryo vs. Joe Moravsky
04. Tada Tatsuya vs. Daniel Gil
05. Morimoto Yusuke vs. Drew Drechsel

Final Stage:
Morimoto Yusuke vs. Drew Drechsel

I want to include woman match-up, but with only one Japanese woman representating *compare to many American women*, I feel like the match-up is being forced to be there, hence why I give alternative match-up. The rest is OK for me, but feel free to debate it.

[tns8597]

There's quite a few of these matchups I disagree with. In more recent tournaments like USA vs the World, there's usually 3 rounds for each stage with 5 competitors each so my predictions are going by those rules.

I wouldn't include Suzuki in Team Japan as he's not that strong a competitor in my opinion, maybe replace him with Araki as though he's only passed Stage 1 once he has a lot more potential imo. For the Second Stage, bear in mind Keitaro's failed Stage 2 4/4 times so I wouldn't have him run Stage 2. I agree with your Stage 3 and 4 matchups. Also, I don't know much about ANW competitors compared to Sasuke but I do know that Levi and Brian have both retired from competing for a long time now.

The five people I would put forward for Japan, along with their stages are:
- Morimoto (Stage 2, 3, 4)
- Kawaguchi (Stage 1, 2, 3)
- Tada (Stage 2, 3, 4)
- Sato Jun (Stage 1 and 2)
- Ayano Oshima (Stage 1 and 2)

As I understand these are the same five competitors who competed in NW Germany, unsurprisingly.

[ChiBiJKT48]

Ah, only three match-up each Stage? I didn't know that.

I put Yamamoto Keitaro in Second Stage because he actually had potential to beat it. But again, you said his record was 0/4, so that is quite worrying.

As of Levi and Brian, I'm aware, but I can't find better person on ANW 11 list *or maybe I just don't recognise them very well*. And Oshima in Germany, I guess just because the show want women on the show, which is what I wanted, anyway.

[tns8597]

For the most recent ANW USA vs the World I think that was how it worked.

I would've thought Keitaro would've been quite good at Stage 2 too because he's fast and compact, but I think the second half of the stage really screws him over, but I wouldn't know, most of his runs get digested.

Levi I know for sure won't come back because he owns a farm now, Brian maybe but he's more into crossfit these days. Brian had a good couple of runs but he never did as well as, say, Drew or David Campbell, especially in Stage 3 he sucked.