Date of Birth:	October 22nd, 1965
Hometown:	Harima, Hyogo, Japan
Country:
Occupation:	Part-time worker at an Iron Works Factory
Nickname:	Mister Sasuke
Website:

Yamada Katsumi - 43 years old from Harima, Hyogo Prefecture, he is known as "Mr. Sasuke". Due to Yamada's success in the earlier competitions, he was once thought to be the most likely to complete the entire course. Yamada, whose profession used to be that of a propane tank delivery driver, debuted in the 1st Competition and failed the Hammer Dodge in the 2ND Stage. The only time he reached the FINAL Stage was in the 3rd Competition, when he timed out just a few inches from the buzzer. In the 6th and 10th competitions Yamada reached the end of the Pipe Slider only to fail the jump to the final mat. He is particularly notable for his unusual devotion to the Sasuke competition; many times he has sworn to retire from the competition only to resurface again, at one point alienating his family in the process. Despite his frequent claims that he will never compete again, Yamada has only missed the 13th Competition. After failing on the Pipe Slider in the 10th Competition, he never returned to the 3RD Stage.

Since being disqualified in the 12th Competition on the 2ND Stage (for finishing the 2ND Stage wearing gloves that contestants start with, for safety reasons on the Chain Reaction, but are required to remove before the third obstacle, the Spider Walk), he has never completed the FINAL Stage. Since the factory where he once worked has closed down, he never acquired another full-time job, and spends the rest of his time training. There is a rumor that Yamada is training his son to compete in upcoming tournaments. As of 2008, Yamada has completed the 1ST Stage 10 times, the 2ND Stage 4 times (5 if he removed his gloves), and the 3RD Stage once.

Sasuke #17 - 1ST Stage - Rolling Log

Sasuke #17 - 1ST Stage - Cross Bridge

Sasuke #17 - 1ST Stage - Jump Hang

Competition	Broadcast Date	#	1ST	2ND	3RD	FINAL	Results
	March 2009	81					Failed - Jumping Spider
	September 2008	96					Failed - Warped Wall
	March 2008	1999					Failed - Jumping Spider
	September 2007	91					Failed - Jumping Spider
	March 2007	73					Failed - Rope Ladder
	October 2006	100					Failed - Warped Wall
	December 2005	99					Failed - Rope Climb
	July 2005	99					Failed - Cross Bridge
	January 2005	99					Failed - Jump Hang
	April 2004						DID NOT COMPETE
	October 2003	98					Disqualified - Spider Walk *
	March 2003	100					Failed - Balance Tank
	September 2002	1000					Failed - Pipe Slider
	March 2002	99					Failed - Wall Lift
	September 2001	100					Failed - Warped Wall
	March 2001	100					Failed - Rope Climb
	September 2000	99					Failed - Pipe Slider
	March 2000	100					Failed - Spider Walk
	October 1999	100					Failed - Cliff Hanger
	March 1999	89					Failed - Final Rope
	September 1998	91					Failed - Spider Walk
	September 1997	92					Failed - Hammer Dodge

* Although Yamada completed the Second Stage, he was disqualified for wearing gloves on the "Spider Walk" obstacle.

Sources:
SASUKE Stages Wikipedia (EN),
SASUKE/Ninja Warrior Wikipedia (EN),
SASUKE Wikipedia (JP)