Makoto Nagano

(sometimes known as the World's Strongest Fisherman) is a Japanese commercial fisherman, captain, and musician. He is captain of his vessel , and was previously captain of the . He is regularly seen on the Japanese television show Sasuke (Ninja Warrior) 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 spinoff to Ninja Warrior, Viking: The Ultimate Obstacle Course, where he was one of few competitors to make it to the final round.

Winning in the 17th Sasuke competition (2006) 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, As of 2020, he holds the record for reaching the final stage a total of five times.

After retirement, Nagano became a consultant and analyst for the program, appearing on the sidelines in every tournament since. In late 2020, it was announced that he was coming out of retirement to compete in the 38th tournament, his first Sasuke competition in four years.

Sasuke World Cup In Sasuke World Cup 2024, He was selected to competed in Sasuke World Cup as Team Japan Legend as Captain team alongside Shingo Yamamoto, Katsumi Yamada (Sasuke All stars), Kane Kosugi, and one female in this team from Kunoichi or Women Ninja Warrior is Yuko Mizuno.

In Sasuke World Cup 2026, He was not competed this World cup competition, He was in Japan Legend Supporter along with Yuko Mizuno, Shingo Yamamoto, Katsumi Yamada and Yūji Urushihara. However, His son, Kaiou competed this World cup competition as Team Japan U20.

U.S. appearance

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

Music career Nagano released his first album, Yujou To Tatakaino Kiseki, in 2011.

Personal life Nagano has a wife named Asami Nagano, She was competed in Kunoichi's 8th Competition in First time.

Nagano has 3 childrens, Second Son named Taiou Nagano, Third son named Gen'ou Nagano, Including First son named Kaiou Nagano born in 2009 who competed in Sasuke's 40th Competition in First time.

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.

† - Nagano failed on the First Stage due to a malfunction on the Slider Jump. Since this was the fault of the course and not Nagano, he was given a second attempt at the First Stage, which would be the first time in Sasuke history that someone had been given a second chance after failing in the same competition. In his second attempt he would complete the First Stage and end up getting all the way to the Final Stage.

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 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 First Stage, and Nagano's number was 2999 rather than 99. In the 40th competition, the contestant numbers ranged from 3901 to 4000 to make clear that there had now been 4000 competitors that have attempted Sasukes First stage. Nagano was therefore awarded the number 3998 to compete with instead of 98. When Nagano tried to cross the second gap in the redesigned Cliff Hanger, he accidentally grabbed the top frame with his left hand. Rather than continue on with the 3rd Stage, he announced his mistake, gracefully disqualifying himself from the competition. However, in unaired version, the producers asked Nagano to compete again the Third Stage, but Nagano declined it.