other-martial-arts
Nichōnage
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Nichōnage is an official sumo kimarite in which from a close grip, the attacker hooks the opponent’s same-side knee from outside and lifts or sweeps both legs. The clearest cue is that an outside knee hook removes the base while the upper body is pulled into the throw. Nichōnage sweeps with an outside hook at the knee; Kakenage attacks from inside the thigh, and Yaguranage lifts with the knee or thigh. The practical English gloss “Leg-hook lifting 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 | 二丁投げ |
|---|---|
| Reading | にちょうなげ |
| Group | Throwing techniques (投げ手) |
| English guide | Leg-hook lifting throw |
| Official no. | 17 |
What happens
The result is recorded when from a close grip, the attacker hooks the opponent’s same-side knee from outside and lifts or sweeps both legs.
How to spot it
Watch the decisive action, then confirm the result and the closest alternative.
- Action an outside knee hook removes the base while the upper body is pulled into the throw.
- Result from a close grip, the attacker hooks the opponent’s same-side knee from outside and lifts or sweeps both legs.
- Compare Nichōnage sweeps with an outside hook at the knee; Kakenage attacks from inside the thigh, and Yaguranage lifts with the knee or thigh.
Similar techniques
Nichōnage sweeps with an outside hook at the knee; Kakenage attacks from inside the thigh, and Yaguranage lifts with the knee or thigh. The related pages Yaguranage and Kakenage offer useful visual comparisons.
Name
Nichōnage is written 二丁投げ and read にちょうなげ. It belongs to Throwing techniques (投げ手); “Leg-hook lifting throw” is a practical English guide, not an official translation.
Context
Nichōnage can emerge directly from the tachiai, after a prolonged exchange, or as a counter when posture and footing change. Left-right orientation, wrestler size, and camera angle can alter its appearance without changing the classification.
Statistics
The Japan Sumo Association table consulted on 12 September 2026 counted 40 Nichōnage results, 0.02% of 190,450 bouts from January 2013 through the final day of the July 2026 tournament, and listed the technique 53rd in that bounded dataset. This is a dated sample, not a timeless probability; check the association’s live page for later totals.
Sources
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