#kubinage

[artschoolglasses]

Aonishiki vs. Hakuoho

Kubinage - Head lock throw

[blackmawashi]

January 2016, Day 6, Toyonoshima v Myogiryu.

After a strong tachiai leaves neither wrestler with a clear advantage, Toyonoshima and Myogiryu take a pause in the middle of their bout to contemplate some of the larger issues in life: Why am I half naked? Why is that guy trying to slap me in the face? Did I leave the oven on? When they restart, Myogiryu gets the upper hand, putting Toyonoshima in a headlock. But his kubinage (headlock throw) has less of the feel of a crisp technique and more of the feel of two toddlers who hug each other so hard they fall over. Hey, a win’s a win.

[blackmawashi]

January 2016, Day 4, Ikioi v Goeido.

I’d like to see Goeido win going forward. The Ozeki is strong enough and skilled enough not to rely as much on the counterattack as he does. Having said that, he does a nice job today readjusting after a good tachiai, when Ikioi gets under his right arm - he uses that arm to wrap around Ikioi’s head and turn him for the kubinage (headlock throw). Ikioi’s right foot gets planted and when his body gets stretched out, there’s nowhere to go but down. I think he wanted to put his left foot out to catch himself, but Goeido blocks with his own right leg. What appears at first glance to be flailing while falling backward is actually a nifty technique. (Of course, I could be totally overestimating Goeido here, and he could just be flailing while falling backward.)

[blackmawashi]

November 2015, Day 15. Tochiozan v Goeido.

Goeido underperformed this tournament, waiting until the very last day to secure his eighth win and avoid the shame of kadoban (Ozeki probation) next tournament. He showed a few flashes of brilliance, but needs to be more consistent against the top of the division. Today against Tochiozan he starts with another harite (face slap at the tachi-ai), more for distraction than anything else, and when Tochiozan gets in close with a deep left-hand underhand grip, Goeido rotates into a tight headlock with his right arm, using it to throw Tochiozan down for the kubinage (headlock throw) win.