#sukuinage

[blackmawashi]

January 2016, Day 14, Ichinojo v Shohozan.

The lesson for today is “sacrifice the body.” Ichinojo and Shohozan throw each other at the same time, and appear to hit the ground at the same instant, but watch again (and pause at just the right time) and you’ll see Ichinojo extend both his arms to catch himself. His hands hit the dirt before Shohozan, who tucks his arms up close to his body to stay airborne as long as possible.

[blackmawashi]

January 2016, Day 10, Kitataiki v Shodai.

Here’s someone to watch. 24-year-old Shodai is in only his twelfth tournament in professional sumo, and his first in the top division. Coming off a championship in the Juryo division (he won championships in the lower Jonokuchi and Makushita divisions as well), he’s quietly put together a respectable 6-4 record at the Maegashira 12 rank. The level of competition in the top division often stumps young wrestlers who rocket up the ranks, to say nothing of the nerves of being on TV in front of a much larger crowd, but Shodai appears to be taking it in stride. Today he totally absorbs Kitataiki’s initial charge, getting both hands inside and driving Kitataiki backward. Kitataiki locks his wrists underneath Shodai’s arms in the classic kime (double arm lock) grip and reverses the momentum, but Shodai plants his right foot and twists sideways, lifting Kitataiki off the ground with surprising ease. Shodai must have massive core strength, as he manages to get Kitataiki all the way around and out for the sukuinage (beltless arm throw) win.

[blackmawashi]

January 2016, Day 2, Harumafuji v Shohozan.

Defending champ Yokozuna Harumafuji loses on Day 2! I love this bout - two lighter-weight, very strong, very fast wrestlers going full-blast for four furious seconds. Harumafuji fights through the nodowa (throat push) of Shohozan and goes low to try and attack Shohozan’s center of gravity. But he also has a habit of hopping to maintain his balance and ring position, and Shohozan capitalizes on this with perfect timing, getting his right arm under Harumafuji’s left and planting his feet for the perfect sukuinage (beltless arm throw). Watch how fast Shohozan switches his stance to set up the throw. Beautiful. Harumafuji is the only Yokozuna or Ozeki to lose on Day 2.

[blackmawashi]

January 2016, Day 1, Kotoyuki v Kaisei.

Welcome back to the Tokyo Ryogoku Kokugikan for the first Grand Sumo Tournament of 2016! We’ll start off today with Kotoyuki, who is looking to build on four straight tournaments in a row with a winning record. He stands up Kaisei with a nodowa after the initial charge, and when Kaisei uses that arm to try and turn him around, Kotoyoki completes a beautiful balletic pirouette to stay out of danger. A few tsuppari slaps later, and Kotoyuki works his right arm under Kaisei’s left, taking him for a ride with a nice right-handed sukuinage (beltless arm throw).

[blackmawashi]

November 2015, Day 5. Tamawashi v Gagamaru.

I'll admit, I've never been a big fan of Gagamaru. He's succeeded purely on size, without any real technique to speak of. So I don't mind when Tamawashi exposes that weakness with solid footwork and a great sukuinage to finish him off.

[blackmawashi]

November 2015, Day 3. Ikioi v Kotoyuki.

Ikioi weathers a blistering charge from Kotoyuki, and manages to stay on the dohyo with some nifty footwork. He gets pushed all the way to the other side before managing to work his right arm into position for the sukuinage at the ring's edge.