What is the last tournament beatable without replicas?

[zoran]

Replicas are essential to modern Sasuke with competitors needing to train for the vertical limit, cliffhanger dimension and even stage 1 obstacles like the dragon glider.

What is the last tournament that could be beaten without the need to build replicas?

Even competitors doing makeshift training is okay like Akiyama practicing the cliffhanger using the edge of a bridge, Shingo training for the body prop using 2 facing walls, Yamada rope climbing on a crane, teenage Morimoto running up a semi circle concrete wall etc.

[dakohosu]

Jan 26, 2024 14:48:16 GMT -5 zoran said:

Replicas are essential to modern Sasuke with competitors needing to train for the vertical limit, cliffhanger dimension and even stage 1 obstacles like the dragon glider.

What is the last tournament that could be beaten without the need to build replicas?

Even competitors doing makeshift training is okay like Akiyama practicing the cliffhanger using the edge of a bridge, Singo training for the body prop using 2 facing walls, Yamada rope climbing on a crane, teenage Morimoto running up a semi circle concrete wall etc.

I'd probably say Sasuke 27, at a push. Maaaaybe Sasuke 24. 

Imo the Crazy Cliffhanger is really what transformed the need to train for highly specific and technique based moves, and since that's been introduced we've had a lot more very unique obstacles like the Sidewinder, Swing Edge, Vertical Limit etc. Things you actually need to practice specifically to have a chance at beating them in competition. I should note that this only really applies to Stage 3. I still think Stages 1 and 2 are doable without dedicated training, as proven by competitors like Tomohiro Mutou and Anastase. None of the moves in the first two stages are specific enough that they can't be overcome by natural athleticism; the Dragon Glider is just a timing based lache, the Salmon Ladder is just a measure of upper body explosivity, while the Ultra Crazy Cliffhanger/Dimension requires two blind backwards transfer on moving ledges little more than an inch long, and the Swing Edge is a blind reverse grab. It's not really comparable.

Re why I picked 27, Stage 3 until Inui re-took the helm was much more of an endurance battle than anything else, that can be overcome with rigorous grip and pullup training. Even the Ultimate Cliffhanger was mostly just a measure of grip endurance, not really much specific technique required. I don't think Hashimoto trained much on replicas and he still beat the UCH. Stages 1 and 2 were arguably tougher than they are now, but we still got a fair share of competitors who managed to beat them without specific training, like the Americans in 26 (bar Campbell who obvs had a backyard course), Ishikawa, Okuyama etc.

I don't think Sasuke 25's Stage 3 would've been possible without specific training though, because that Stage 3 was far more brutal to the point that I don't think it could've been overcome without building replicas. Specifically the Floating Boards and fully fledged Flying Bar probably needed some practice prior to having a shot at beating the thing, as well as practicing the 2cm ledges given that 2cm vs 3cm makes a world of difference, just like how to beat the Vertical Limit you need to train that grip to s***. 

Prior to 25 though, pretty much no one trained on replicas, and many still did well, like the 5 Finalists in 24. This was a time when the Unlimited Cliffers got that namesake for aggressively training Cliffhangers, because unlike now where EVERYONE does it, they were seen as abnormally dedicated to the cause for their replica building and training. Same with Shiratori and his shrine.