Phelps is going down ....

Short is actually not too awful on Ninja Warrior unless you're talking like 5'2" short because so many of the obstacles, especially on the third stage, have a lot to do with strength-weight ratio. The cross the ledge using only your fingertips obstacle that was a third stage staple for many tournaments put the bigger competitors at a significant disadvantage. I couldn't get heights on the Sasuke All-Stars, but Jordan Jovtchev is listed as 5'7" and he's one of the few guys ever to make it past the first three rounds. As for swimmers, I can remember a handful of Japanese ones showing up over the years with moderate success. In terms of US-based elite swimmers, so many of them are utter klutzes on land, but how about Erik Vendt? Not too talk, can probably be talked into any number of crazy things.

Short is actually not too awful on Ninja Warrior unless you're talking like 5'2" short because so many of the obstacles, especially on the third stage, have a lot to do with strength-weight ratio. The cross the ledge using only your fingertips obstacle that was a third stage staple for many tournaments put the bigger competitors at a significant disadvantage. I couldn't get heights on the Sasuke All-Stars, but Jordan Jovtchev is listed as 5'7" and he's one of the few guys ever to make it past the first three rounds. As for swimmers, I can remember a handful of Japanese ones showing up over the years with moderate success. In terms of US-based elite swimmers, so many of them are utter klutzes on land, but how about Erik Vendt? Not too talk, can probably be talked into any number of crazy things.