other-martial-arts
Uwatenage
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Uwatenage is a sumo overarm throw made from an outside mawashi grip above the opponent’s inserted arm. From a close clinch, the attacker secures the mawashi over the opponent’s inserted arm, opens the hips and shoulders, and pulls through the outside grip while turning. Shitatenage uses an inside underarm mawashi grip beneath the opponent’s arm. The practical English gloss “Overarm throw” is a viewing aid rather than an official translation. Focus on the contact that causes the final movement and on whether the opponent is forced out, falls, or is thrown. Earlier exchanges may create the opening, but the kimarite names the action that actually decides the bout.
Overview
| Japanese | 上手投げ |
|---|---|
| Reading | うわてなげ |
| Group | Throwing techniques (投げ手) |
| English guide | Overarm throw |
| Official no. | 8 |
What happens
The official result records a throw driven by the outside overarm mawashi grip.
How to spot it
Watch the decisive action, then confirm the result and the closest alternative.
- Action from a close clinch, the attacker secures the mawashi over the opponent’s inserted arm, opens the hips and shoulders, and pulls through the outside grip while turning.
- Result a throw driven by the outside overarm mawashi grip.
- Compare Shitatenage uses an inside underarm mawashi grip beneath the opponent’s arm.
Similar techniques
Shitatenage uses an inside underarm mawashi grip beneath the opponent’s arm. Uwatedashinage begins from an overarm grip but draws the opponent forward and outward in a more pulling, directional finish. Yorikiri can begin from the same clinch, yet its decisive action is sustained close-body advance across the tawara rather than rotation into a throw.
Name
Uwatenage is written 上手投げ and read うわてなげ. In this grip vocabulary, uwate identifies the hand that reaches over the opponent’s arm to take the outside mawashi position; nage means throw. The association lists it first in the thirteen-technique throwing group.
Context
Uwatenage can be attacked from a settled yotsu position, during a grip change, or as the opponent drives forward. The outside grip may be shallow or deep, and the throw may travel toward the front, side, or edge according to stance. “Right uwatenage” and “left uwatenage” identify the throwing hand in commentary, not different kimarite categories.
Statistics
The Japan Sumo Association table consulted on 12 September 2026 counted 8,802 uwatenage results, 4.6 percent of 190,450 bouts from January 2013 through the final day of the July 2026 tournament, ranking it sixth in the displayed dataset. This is a dated sample, not a timeless probability; check the association’s live page for later totals.
Sources
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