, later revived as ''Sports Danshi Grand Prix'' (究極の男は誰だ!?最強スポーツ男子頂上決戦) abbreviated as SpoDan (スポダン) was an annual program made by Monster9, the same company that produces series such as ''
Kinniku Banzuke
, known internationally as ''Unbeatable Banzuke,'' is a Japanese television program, that aired weekly as the premier sports entertainment variety show of TBS Television (Japan), TBS. Originally a Spinoff (media), spinoff of ''Pro Sportsman No. 1 ...
'' and ''
SASUKE'' and broadcast on
TBS TV.
Core installments
Pro Sportsman No.1 Ketteisen (1993–2009)
The original series that began as a pilot in 1993. A group of professional athletes competes in a modified pentathlon or heptathlon of events that combine strength, balance, speed and general athletics.
Geinōjin Survival Battle (1996–2007)
A spinoff of Pro Sportsman No.1 that retains the same general formula, with shorter overall runtimes and a lineup consisting entirely of athletics celebrities.
Sports Danshi Grand Prix (2012–present)
A reboot of the series produced after the dissolution of former production studio Sportsman No.1, Sports Danshi Grand Prix features a mix of athletes, former champions and celebrities together. The series was retitled due to an ongoing legal dispute with former producer Ushio Higuchi and his studio GoldEggs.
Other series
Battle of the Four Kings (1995), Power Sportsman (1996)
A series of tournaments under the same core concept as Sportsman No.1, with the competitor pool made up of
Sumo wrestlers and
Strongmen.
Amateur Sportsman (1995-1996)
A side series produced in conjunction with the
Japanese Olympic Committee
The is the National Olympic Committee in Japan for the Olympic Games movement, based in Tokyo, Japan. It is a non-profit organisation that selects teams and raises funds to send Japanese competitors to Olympic events organised by the Internati ...
under the working title ''Clash of Olympians''. In this case, amateur refers to athletes who are not being paid in professional leagues, rather than true amateur. The lineups consistently almost entire of current and former Olympians, and is widely referred to as "Olympian Sportsman" among fans.
Speed Sportsman (1996)
A one-time special that aired featured exclusively high-speed events revolving around running. This tournament is notable for having the debut of the now iconic event Shotgun Touch.
Queens Challenge Battle (2002–2004)
A women's spinoff of Sportsman No.1 that features a group of women taking on modified events.
Glory Sportsman (2010)
A one-time special that featured a large lineup of 50 competitors attempting the
Monster Box.
Noniku Battle Atamaccho (2012)
A one-time special that featured a pair competing together on modified events that feature traditional Sportsman events mixed with intellectual aspects.
Strongman No.1 (2023–2024)
Airing as a special during the final three specials of
Honoo-no Taiiku-kai TV
''Honoo-no Taiiku-kai TV'' () is a Japanese gameshow where members of the public challenge sports professionals such as Ronda Rousey and Cris Cyborg.
Cast MC
*
*Ameagari Kesshitai
, also known simply as Ameagari, was a Japanese comedy duo ''( ...
, Strongman No.1 saw seven professional athletes in different fields competing for the title. In addition, a team composed of four Taiiku Kai TV staff competed alongside the professionals.
Winners
References
Japanese game shows
Sports entertainment
TBS Television (Japan) original programming
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