Makoto Nagano


Makoto Nagano is a commercial fisherman, captain, and musician. He is captain of his vessel F/V Konpira Maru 50, and was previously captain of the F/V Konpira Maru 28. He is regularly seen on the Japanese television show Sasuke where he was one of the "SASUKE All-Stars," a group of favored competitors who were thought to possess the greatest potential in completing the obstacle courses. He can also be seen on the lesser known precursor to Ninja Warrior, Viking: The Ultimate, where he was the only competitor to make it to the final round.
Winning in the 17th Sasuke competition he is the second of only four victors of the competition. By the time he retired in July 2017, he had competed in 26 versions of Sasuke.

''Sasuke'' career

Training

Nagano spent 300 days a year training on his fishing ship for the Sasuke competitions.

Retirement

Leading up to the 32nd competition in 2016, Nagano formally announced his retirement from Sasuke, with his "last run" making up a significant portion of the broadcast and promotional material for the tournament. This involved several gifts from fans and fellow competitors alike, including a "finish" button normally found at the end of the courses. Additionally, a special retirement ceremony was held following his run, concluding with his friends and fellow competitors throwing him into a water pit, mirroring his total victory celebrations in Sasuke 17.
By the time he retired in July 2017, he had competed in 26 versions of Sasuke.

U.S. appearance

In September 2008 Nagano made his first United States appearance at the in West Palm Beach, Florida.

Music career

Album

Nagano released his first album in 2011.

''Sasuke'' appearances

This list shows all the competitions Nagano participated in, along with his contestant number, and the stage and obstacle where he was eliminated.
CompetitionStart positionObstacleStage
7th87Failed Warped WallFirst
8th41Failed Warped WallFirst
9th61Failed Pipe SliderThird
10th999*Failed Jump HangFirst
11th96Failed Final RopeFinal
12th100Failed Final Rope Final
13th100Failed Final RopeFinal
14th100Failed Jumping BarsThird
15th100Failed Metal SpinSecond
16th100Failed Devil's SwingThird
17th99Total Victory Final
18th96Disqualified on Shin-Cliff Hanger**Third
19th100Failed Flying ChuteFirst
20th2000*Failed Downhill JumpSecond
21st100Failed Gliding RingThird
22nd100Failed Slider JumpFirst
23rd100Failed G-RopeFinal
24th100Failed Jumping SpiderFirst
25th99Failed Circle SliderFirst
26th99Failed Jumping SpiderFirst
27th100Failed Ultimate Cliff HangerThird
28th100Failed Second Warped WallFirst
29th100Failed Second Warped Wall First
30th2999*Failed Swap Salmon LadderSecond
31st98Failed Warped WallFirst
32nd100Failed Lumberjack Climb First

* In the 10th Competition, the contestant numbers ranged from 901 to 1000 to show that 1000 competitors have attempted Sasuke. Thus, rather than 99, Nagano's contestant number was 999. Similarly, in the 20th Competition, the numbers ran from 1901 to 2000 to indicate that 2000 competitors have attempted Sasuke's First Stage. Nagano's number was 2000 here rather than 100. Then, in the 30th Competition, the numbers went from 2901 to 3000 to indicate that 3000 competitors have attempted Sasuke's First Stage, and Nagano's number was 2999 rather than 99.