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Kimedashi

Two sumo wrestlers demonstrate Kimedashi, as the opponent’s inserted arms are immobilized in a joint-tightening clamp during the advance
Original educational illustration of Kimedashi: the opponent’s inserted arms are immobilized in a joint-tightening clamp during the advance, shown as a clear special techniques finish on a dohyō.
Image: TokyoWaltz / Original illustration · All rights reserved

Kimedashi is an official sumo kimarite in which the attacker locks one or both inside arms at the elbows, shoulders, or neck and forces the opponent out. The clearest cue is that the opponent’s inserted arms are immobilized in a joint-tightening clamp during the advance. Kimedashi ends outside under the arm lock; Kimetaoshi is the paired down result. The practical English gloss “Arm-lock force-out” 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極め出し
Readingきめだし
GroupSpecial techniques (特殊技)
English guideArm-lock force-out
Official no.79

What happens

The result is recorded when the attacker locks one or both inside arms at the elbows, shoulders, or neck and forces the opponent out.

How to spot it

Watch the decisive action, then confirm the result and the closest alternative.

  • Action the opponent’s inserted arms are immobilized in a joint-tightening clamp during the advance.
  • Result the attacker locks one or both inside arms at the elbows, shoulders, or neck and forces the opponent out.
  • Compare Kimedashi ends outside under the arm lock; Kimetaoshi is the paired down result.

Similar techniques

Kimedashi ends outside under the arm lock; Kimetaoshi is the paired down result. The related pages Kimetaoshi and Ushiromotare offer useful visual comparisons.

Name

Kimedashi is written 極め出し and read きめだし. It belongs to Special techniques (特殊技); “Arm-lock force-out” is a practical English guide, not an official translation.

Context

Kimedashi 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 792 Kimedashi results, 0.4% of 190,450 bouts from January 2013 through the final day of the July 2026 tournament, and listed the technique 17th 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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