In this clip we look at the competition variations of Kirill Denisov’s Kosoto gari.
In the final of the 2016 Qingdao Grand Prix, Denisov fights to get the sleeve of Mongolia’s Khutag.
As soon as he does, he wastes no time in throwing with a beautiful Tobikomi Kosoto gari.
Just look at that big forward projection with the head and the body for Uchi mata, and that’s what gets the reaction for a huge Kosoto.
Khutag turns his right hip into Denisov and drops his weight backwards in order to defend the Uchi mata. At this point he is absolutely primed for the rear-throwing Kosoto gari.
On his way to winning Grand Slam gold in Tokyo 2016, Denisov gets another great reaction from his Uchi mata twitch against Mongolia’s Dashdulam.
As Denisov enters for Uchi mata, Dashdulam braces in anticipation, as if ready to counter with Ura nage. But he’s on his heels, and has no way of escaping the Kosoto.
In the final, against France’s Maret, Denisov’s winning score is the arm clamp variation of his Kosoto gari.
With the Frenchman hooked in for Uchi mata, Denisov changes the direction with the Kosoto, taking his opponent over for a decisive Yuko. And it’s enough to win him the gold medal.
In the 2011 Baku Masters Denisov produces another lightning fast Tobikomi Kosoto, this time against Korea’s Lee.
Once again it’s that twitch that gets the reaction, and a contest winning Waza ari.
Fighting against Russian team-mate Zankishiev in the semi final of the 2017 Hohhot Grand Prix, Denisov does it again.
As he skips away from the tight grips of Zankishiev, there’s the Uchi mata twitch, and straight into his arm clamp Kosoto gari.
From Marakech 2019, and facing Nova Alcantara of the Dominican Republic, Denisov transitions smoothly from lapel feed, into catching the sleeve. And as soon as he has his preferred grips, he’s straight in with his Kosoto.
With the sleeve now pinned, Denisov twitches for his Uchi mata, and just look at that reaction from his opponent – upright and on the balls of his feet. Perfect for Ashi waza.
In the 2016 Qingdao Grand Prix, Denisov comes up with up with another great demonstration of his arm clamp Kosoto gari, when fighting Lin of Chinese Tapei.
With both judoka taking an extreme stance and trying to get their hips in front of the other, Denisov just waits his moment, attacking with Tai otoshi, before twitching a with Uchi mata, and then throwing in the opposite direction. A great Ippon.
An unusual variation of the arm clamp Kosoto gari comes against Germany’s Odenthal in the 2016 Budapest Grand Prix.
After attacking with Kosoto, Denisov enters with Uchi mata. Odenthal responds with his own Uchi mata, but Denisov has already circled and is able to counter it with Kosoto gari. Yuko to the Russian.
In the 2011 World Championships against Larsen of the USA, Denisov twitches for Kosoto, threatens with Uchi mata, and then throws for spectacularly for Ippon.
So there’s the Uchi mata – Kosoto twitch combination, then he shows the Uchi mata, and having just felt it, Larsen is on his heels and unable to stop the Kosoto gari.
In Qingdao 2011, just the threat of Uchi mata alone sets up the chance for Denisov to throw with a sticky foot variation of Kosoto gari against Baek of Korea.
Denisov turns in with his hips a bit and gives a little pull to threaten the Uchi mata. And that gets just enough of a reaction for the Kosoto.
One of Denisov’s greatest Kosoto garis came in the quarter final of the 2011 World Championships against Korea’s Lee, the 2009 World Champion.
A small pull forwards from Denisov, and then he’s straight onto the sticky foot Kosoto. And what a way to take out one of the favourites of the category.
In the 2017 World Championships Denisov anticipates an attack from Hungary’s Ohat, and beats him to it, taking his opponent straight back with Kosoto gari to score Waza ari.
In the final of Hohhot the same year, Denisov shows his versatility in Ashi waza as he attacks Japan’s Haga with just one hand on.
A very innovative off-the-grips Kosoto can be seen here against Great Britain’s Awiti-Alcaraz in Qingdao 2016.
Denisov goes lapel with his left hand, then Kosoto sticky foot as he catches the sleeve with his right hand. And then he stays on the sticky foot all the way down to the mat.
Against Estonia’s Minaskin in Abu Dhabi 2017, Denisov finishes a combination attack with Kosoto gari. Having locked in for an Ouchi gari – Uchi mata combination, he finishes Minaskin off with his Kosoto.
On his way to a bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships Denisov produces a brilliant Kouchi gari – Kosoto gari combination against Russian team-mate Zankishiev.
Denisov manages to half throw Zankishiev with the Kouchi, knocking him into a side-ways posture. He then immediately follows up with the Kosoto, leaving Zankishiev with no escape.
An absolutely brilliant Ashi waza combination that puts Denisov into the bronze medal contest.
In the 2013 World Championships Denisov uses his Kosoto gari to counter Dias of Portugal twice in the quarter finals.
The first as a counter to Osoto gari…
And the second, which scores the decisive Ippon, as a counter to Sasae tsurikomi ashi.
Great control of the sleeve and upper body, as Denisov anticipates the attack, and is through to the semi finals.
In the bronze medal contest of the same competition Denisov comes up with a quite incredible Kosoto gari against Hungary’s Toth.
His twitch for Uchi mata gets a massive reaction from the Hungarian… Denisov, with such good control of the lapel and sleeve, guides Toth down to the mat to score Ippon, and to secure a bronze medal.