The sold-out Ryogoku Kokugikan roared with approval on day four of the September Grand Sumo Tournament when a rare, near-impossible move called “Tokkuri-Nage” (Sake Bottle Throw) was pulled off. As this move is executed only 0.03% of the time, it really did get sumo fans excited—those in the venue and online.
The bout was in Sandanme, between Kanryu, the 61st ranked wrestler in the division from Arashio stable, and Akatora, who was in 62nd place in Sandanme from Shikihide stable. During the tachiai, Akatora advanced with both hands out, while Kanryu braced with his chest. While moving backwards, though, Kanryu grabbed both sides of his opponent’s neck and then swung his foe to and fro for the clean uwatenage win. The crowd gasped when the match ended and whispers became louder after the move was made official as a “Tokkuri-Nage.” Audiences were surprised all the more since the “Tokkuri-Nage” was established only in December 2000 and is very rare. Under the category of “Gassho-Hineri” (Clasp Twist), Tokkuri-Nage is a move where one twists both hands to the opponent’s head and twists laterally. It is ranked 49th in its rarity by the official page of the Japan Sumo Association; it is used just 0.03% of the time.
It seems the moment also had viewers following live streaming on ABEMA quite stirred up. Fans couldn’t help but react with shock: “No way! Did that really just happen?” and “I didn’t even realize what was going on at first.”
