Do You Still Remember Makoto Nagano, the Ninja Warrior Champion? Now He is Building a Special 'Island' for Training

Makoto Nagano is a captain of a fishing boat. He operates a tuna fishing vessel in the Pacific Ocean. His dedication to this work is often cited as one of the reasons why he has extraordinary physical strength and endurance.

He is one of the few people who has successfully completed all four stages in the Sasuke competition, achieving the title of "Total Victory" (Kanzenseiha) in season 17 in 2006. This achievement solidified him as one of the most legendary competitors in the history of the show.

Nagano is often referred to as "The World’s Strongest Fisherman." This nickname refers to his extraordinary strength, especially considering that he does not have a professional athletic background.

Nagano has become an inspiration for many other participants in Sasuke and fans around the world. His success demonstrates that with hard work and dedication, anyone can achieve great accomplishments, even without a formal athletic background.

Nagano built replicas of the Sasuke obstacles on a remote island that he uses as a residence when he is not sailing. This island is known as "Sasuke Island," where he trains to prepare himself for the challenges on the show.

Nagano has competed in Sasuke 26 times, from season 7 to season 32, demonstrating extraordinary dedication and perseverance. He reached the final stage five times and is often regarded as one of the most consistent and reliable competitors.

Nagano announced his retirement from Sasuke after the 32nd season in 2016. However, due to his love for the show, he remained involved as a coach and motivator for new participants and also appeared as a guest star in various Sasuke-related events.

He became a global icon for fans of "Ninja Warrior" and popularized the show in various countries, including the United States, where its adapted version is very popular.