切返
Kimarite (
sumo winning
technique)
Kirikaeshi is one of the less common winning techniques in sumo. It is a twisting backward knee-trip ("kiri" is "cut off" and "kaeshi" can be translated with "return"). The winner, positioned to one side of the loser and facing the same way, will take a step to the side, thus getting his leg in behind the opponent's nearest leg. The loser will then be pushed backwards and downwards, tripping over the winner's extended leg (ideally, the winner's knee will catch the loser just behind his knee).
It is a technique that requires speed and presence of mind: the attacker must position himself correctly and get that foot right, while at the same time get - or manitain - a grip on his opponent without being outsmarted or overpowered. (I have seen a couple of attempted kirikaeshi end with the would-be winner getting thrown by kotenage or arm-lock throw).
Present Yokozuna Asashoryu has won 9 bouts with kirikaeshi since he was promoted to the sanyaku, the top of the makuuchi (the highest division in sumo) in May, 2001.
Of 571 bouts in the Makuuchi division (Haru and Natsu Basho, 2005), 1 (0,1%) were won by kirikaeshi.
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Liveforever reminds me of the fact that kirikaeshi is a judo move, and as such sometimes favoured by sumotori (sumo wrestlers) who have a judo background.
In Kendo kirikaeshi is a series of strikes to the opponent's head.
My sources are www.scgroup.com/sumo and www.sumo.or.jp/eng/index.html