You’ve seen how Legrand demonstrates his Kouchi gari, now let’s analyse how he executed it in competition.

Fighting Romania’s Danculea at the 2010 Tokyo Worlds, Legrand is fighting to keep the sleeve grip. As Danculea tries to break it Legrand sends the left arm over the top and attacks with the Kosoto.

While Danculea is distracted trying to free his arm, Legrand sneaks his arm around the side, taking a grip on the belt. With the grip over the top, Legrand starts moving to set up the Kosoto twitch. As he goes to execute the twitch Danculea brings his leg up to try and block any potential attack.

As the Romanian lowers it back down he shifts his weight backwards and squares up. Legrand's feels this position and skips across with the Kouchi. Danculea manages to escape as he had freed his right arm when blocking the Kosoto twitch.

With his arm over the top of Legrand’s he makes the space to rotate onto his stomach, narrowly avoiding the score.

In the 2010 Qingdao Grand Prix Legrand attacks with a series of techniques, combining them brilliantly. He starts with an Ouchi attempt and misses; he then goes again for his hopping Ouchi gari but his opponent escapes. Legrand then twitches for Kosoto, before skipping across for the Kouchi gari and scoring. Off the hopping Ouchi gari attempt Boqiev goes defensive, bending over and shifting his weight backwards. Legrand hits the twitch Kosoto twice in a row. The first really causes his opponent to sit his weight backwards and square up. The second really panics Boqiev, who looks to get out of the situation by stepping to the left. Ideal for Legrand to skip across and connect with the foot, driving forward for the score.

At the same tournament in the Semi-final against Russia’s 2012 Olympic Champion Mansur Isaev, Legrand twitches and then attacks with Kouchi Gari. But Isaev, with his cat-like reflexes, miraculously avoids the score.

Escaping Isaev’s Uchi mata attempt, Legrand sends his left arm over the top, taking a deep grip on the back. The Russian then takes a defensive posture, bending over. Legrand seizes the opportunity and twitches for the Kosoto. Isaev reacts, shifting his weight back. As Legrand skips across, Isaev steps out to the side with his left leg. Legrand catches Isaev’s left foot just as he goes to place it down.

Legrand then drives, adjusting the driving position to place Isaev onto his back. Somehow though the Russian manages to escape, turning onto his front. But Legrand is in control of the fight.