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Henka

What is Henka?

Henka is a controversial and strategic maneuver used in sumo wrestling. It involves a wrestler sidestepping immediately after the initial charge (tachi-ai) instead of engaging head-on with their opponent. This sudden lateral movement can cause the opponent to lose balance and fall forward or to the side, often leading to a quick victory for the wrestler executing the henka.

While henka can be effective, it is sometimes viewed negatively by fans and other wrestlers because it is seen as avoiding a direct confrontation, which is a core aspect of sumo's fighting spirit. Despite this, it remains a legitimate technique within the rules of sumo and is occasionally used by wrestlers seeking to outmaneuver a stronger or more aggressive opponent.

Related Article: Sumo Wrestling: The Traditional Japanese Combat Sport

In fact, there is an axiom of martial arts training that everyone ought to know: The way you train is the way you will fight. Martial arts that allow you to apply your technique at close to full power in daily training and sport allow you to constantly use those very techniques in almost exactly the same way during a real fight.
Renzo Gracie

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