other-martial-arts
Sabaori
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Sabaori is an official sumo kimarite in which both hands pull the opponent’s waist in while the attacker bears down until the opponent’s hips or knees collapse. The clearest cue is that the belt or waist is cinched inward as heavy downward pressure folds the lower body. Sabaori crushes the hips under downward close pressure; Abisetaoshi bears full weight onto a posture already bent or arched. The practical English gloss “Waist-crush down” 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 | 鯖折り |
|---|---|
| Reading | さばおり |
| Group | Twist-down techniques (捻り手) |
| English guide | Waist-crush down |
| Official no. | 56 |
What happens
The result is recorded when both hands pull the opponent’s waist in while the attacker bears down until the opponent’s hips or knees collapse.
How to spot it
Watch the decisive action, then confirm the result and the closest alternative.
- Action the belt or waist is cinched inward as heavy downward pressure folds the lower body.
- Result both hands pull the opponent’s waist in while the attacker bears down until the opponent’s hips or knees collapse.
- Compare Sabaori crushes the hips under downward close pressure; Abisetaoshi bears full weight onto a posture already bent or arched.
Similar techniques
Sabaori crushes the hips under downward close pressure; Abisetaoshi bears full weight onto a posture already bent or arched. The related pages Harimanage and Ōsakate offer useful visual comparisons.
Name
Sabaori is written 鯖折り and read さばおり. It belongs to Twist-down techniques (捻り手); “Waist-crush down” is a practical English guide, not an official translation.
Context
Sabaori 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 8 Sabaori results, 0.01% of 190,450 bouts from January 2013 through the final day of the July 2026 tournament, and listed the technique 68th 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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