How Many Winning Techniques Are There in Sumo?

If you’ve ever watched sumo wrestling, you’ve probably noticed that it’s not just about two massive wrestlers shoving each other around. There’s actually a surprising amount of strategy and technique involved! In fact, the Japan Sumo Association recognizes *82 official winning techniques*, known as "kimarite" (決まり手). Yep, 82! That’s a lot more than just pushing your opponent out of the ring.

It is also important to disrupt your opponent's balance before applying a technique.

So, what exactly are these techniques? They range from the straightforward to the highly technical. For example, there’s the classic *yorikiri*, where one wrestler grabs their opponent’s belt (the mawashi) and forces them out of the ring. It’s probably the most common move you’ll see in sumo matches. Then there’s *oshidashi*, which is basically a good old-fashioned shove to push the other wrestler out.

But some techniques are way more complex and rare. Take *uchimuso*, for instance, where a wrestler uses an inside leg trip to topple their opponent. Or how about *kawazugake*, a tricky move that involves hooking your leg around your opponent’s and throwing them off balance? These kinds of moves require not just strength but also incredible timing and agility.

And then there are some techniques that are so rare they’re like spotting a unicorn in the wild. For example, *mitokorozeme* is a super fancy triple attack involving a leg trip, an arm grab, and a push to finish it off. It’s so uncommon that even veteran sumo fans might never see it in their lifetime!

Keeping the arms tight to block the opponent's technique.

Interestingly, there are also some non-techniques called *hansoku*, or fouls, that can lead to a loss. Things like grabbing your opponent’s hair or punching are strictly forbidden in sumo, so if you’re thinking about trying sumo yourself, maybe keep it clean, okay?

Sumo may look simple at first glance, but it’s actually a sport filled with tradition, skill, and variety. The 82 winning techniques show just how much depth there is to this ancient Japanese sport. So next time you watch a match, see if you can spot which kimarite is used—it might just make the experience even more exciting!