Kirill Denisov’s most successful Kouchi gari in competition is his skipping variation.

In the 2011 Baku Masters, against Lithuania’s Bauza, Denisov skips in with a really quick Kouchi gari to score Waza ari.

With an unusual over the back and cross lapel grip, Denisov wastes no time in initiating the skipping movement, and he’s straight in with the Kouchi gari.

Against Egypt’s Mesbah in the 2012 Paris Grand Slam, Denisov attacks straight off the grips with Kouchi gari.

You can see that as soon as Denisov has both hands on, he initiates the skipping action. Mesbah comes in for De ashi barai, but Denisov has already started his Kouchi.

In the 2013 World Championships against Grossklauss of Switzerland, Denisov once again beats his opponent to the attack, scoring Ippon from Kouchi.

Denisov twitches first for Uchi mata. Then he starts to move. Grossklaus attacks with De ashi, but Denisov is already in with the Ashi waza.

Here’s another example of Denisov beating his opponent to the attack, as he takes down Austria’s Fara in the 2018 Zagreb Grand Prix.

Fara comes in for De ashi, but Denisov is already in with the foot-sweep… The throw doesn’t score, but he puts himself in a very strong position in Ne waza…

With just 30 seconds to go in the quarter final of the 2015 World Championships and Hungary’s Toth chasing the contest, Denisov’s skipping Kouchi gari gives him some much needed respite.

In the bronze medal contest of the 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, the winning score was this Waza ari from Denisov against Italy’s Loporchio.

Look at how Denisov just keeps his leg out of the way of Loporchio’s De ashi, as he attacks inside with the Kouchi. And then he does well in driving it through, using a strong sleeve and lapel grip.

Denisov’s Kosoto tap gets a little reaction from Loporchio and then he’s straight in with the skipping entry into Kouchi gari… A good score and a well-deserved bronze medal.

In the semi final of the 2018 Agadir Grand Prix, Denisov attempts a one-handed variation of the same technique against Germany’s Frey.

Frey tries the De ashi, but Denisov is too quick with Kouchi. But as the Russian doesn’t have the sleeve hand, he’s unable to direct his opponent onto his back.

An extremely quick skipping entry into Kouchi gari scores Denisov a Waza ari against Japan’s Yoshida in the semi final of the 2015 Rabat Masters.

Yoshida half-anticipates the Kouchi, but can’t get his leg far enough back to keep it out of reach of Denisov.

In Abu Dhabi 2010, Denisov takes an early lead against China’s Cheng using his Kouchi gari.

Denisov’s twitch for Uchi mata gets Cheng to step his left leg forwards, and that’s the perfect invitation for the Ashi waza. Yuko to Denisov.

Seven years later, and in the same competition, this time against Cirjenics of Hungary, Denisov twitches for Kosoto gari, then Uchi mata, before throwing with Kouchi gari.

There’s the twitch for Kosoto. And then look at that forward entry for Uchi mata, which gets such a good reaction from his opponent.

in the 2017 Hohhot Grand Prix, Denisov scores twice with Kouchi gari against Hungary’s Ohat. The first one is set up using two forward twitches for Uchi mata and gets a Waza ari.

There’s the first Uchi mata twitch, then he comes in again, and he’s got Ohat just where he wants him.

He sets up his second Kouchi against Ohat using his Uchi mata – Kosoto twitch, followed by a nice circular movement.

This clip really does encapsulate Denisov’s judo. As soon as he’s got his favoured grips he attacks with his Uchi mata – Kosoto combination, then he’s straight back in with Uchi mata, before starting a circular movement, dominating Ohat’s posture and positioning. With his opponent disorientated he attacks with Kouchi gari. Great stuff from Denisov.