Every sumo bout ends with a kimarite (決まり手, "deciding technique") — the official winning move announced by the gyoji referee. There are 82 officially recognized kimarite in the Japan Sumo Association's classification, ranging from moves used in virtually every tournament to techniques so rare they might appear only once per decade. Understanding kimarite transforms sumo from "two big men pushing each other" into a sophisticated technical sport.
The Most Common Techniques
Yorikiri (寄り切り) — Force Out, Belt Grip: The most common winning technique by far, accounting for approximately 30% of all bouts. The winning wrestler grips the opponent's mawashi (belt) and drives them backwards out of the ring using relentless forward pressure. It is the definition of orthodox, powerful sumo.
Oshidashi (押し出し) — Push Out: The winner pushes the opponent out without gripping the belt — using hand pressure on the chest, shoulders, or arms. The signature technique of "push-style" (oshi-zumo) wrestlers who prefer speed and aggression over belt wrestling.
Hatakikomi (叩き込み) — Slap Down: The winner grabs the opponent's arm or shoulder and pulls them down to the ground as they charge forward. Often criticized as a "cheap" technique (henka) when done from the tachi-ai, but legitimate when used in the flow of a bout.
Uwatenage (上手投げ) — Outer Arm Throw: A belt throw where the winner uses their outer (top) grip to throw the opponent to the ground. One of sumo's most aesthetically satisfying techniques — requires both technical mastery and strength.
Shitatenage (下手投げ) — Inner Arm Throw: Same concept as uwatenage but using the lower (inner) belt grip. Often spectacular, especially when a smaller wrestler throws a much heavier opponent.
The Dramatic Techniques
Tsuridashi (吊り出し) — Lift Out: The winner physically lifts the opponent completely off the ground and carries them outside the ring. Requires extraordinary strength — typically used only by the most powerful wrestlers. Terunofuji's tsuridashi victories were celebrated as demonstrations of almost inhuman strength.
Tsuriotoshi (釣り落とし) — Lift and Throw: Even rarer than tsuridashi — the winner lifts the opponent and throws them to the ground inside the ring. Considered one of the most difficult techniques in sumo.
Kawazugake (河津掛け) — Kawazu Hook: A rare leg-hooking technique named after the legendary Kawazu Saburo of the 12th century who reportedly invented it. The winner hooks the opponent's leg and falls backward with them, winning when the opponent hits first.
Technique Categories
The JSA classifies kimarite into several families:
- Oshi (push) techniques: oshidashi, oshitaoshi, tsukidashi, tsukitaoshi
- Yori (force) techniques: yorikiri, yoritaoshi, kimedashi
- Nage (throw) techniques: uwatenage, shitatenage, kotenage, sukuinage, and many others
- Kake (hook) techniques: sotogake, uchigake, kawazugake
- Special techniques (tokushuwaza): 7 extremely rare moves including tsuriotoshi, sabaori, and tokkurinage
When No Technique is Named
Sometimes a bout ends in a way that doesn't fit any of the 82 kimarite — when a wrestler steps out accidentally or both fall simultaneously. In these cases, special designations like isamiashi (a winner who steps out themselves accidentally) or torinaoshi (rematch) are used instead of a kimarite.
How to Watch for Kimarite
The kimarite is displayed on arena screens in Japan immediately after each bout, and announced by the gyoji before that. On our site, every bout result page includes the kimarite used — a useful way to track a wrestler's technical repertoire across a tournament.