The **Kimura Lock**—referred to in catch wrestling as the *Double Wristlock* and in Judo as *Gyakuhon-kesagatame* or *Ude-Garami*—is a powerful shoulder lock submission. By using a figure-four grip structure, the attacking fighter isolates an opponent's arm and applies powerful rotational pressure to force the shoulder joint past its physiological range of motion.

## Historical Origins

The lock is named in honor of the legendary Japanese Judoka **Masahiko Kimura**. In 1951, Kimura faced Helio Gracie, the co-founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, in a historic grappling match at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. During the bout, Kimura applied the submission, breaking Helio's arm when he refused to tap, which led Gracie's corner to throw in the towel. Out of respect for Kimura's technique, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners renamed the technique the "Kimura."

## Mechanics & Execution

Unlike armbars that attack the elbow joint by hyperextension, the Kimura attacks the shoulder joint through external rotation. The mechanics rely heavily on the strength of a double wristlock grip, forming a figure-four structure with the attacker's arms.

**Step-by-step execution (from top control):**

1. **Isolate the Arm:** Pin the opponent's wrist to the mat with the hand on the same side (e.g., control their left wrist with your right hand).
2. **Reach Through:** Reach your other arm over the opponent's upper arm, threading it under their elbow.
3. **Secure the Figure-Four:** Grab your own wrist, locking the figure-four grip.
4. **Bend the Elbow:** Keep the opponent's elbow bent at a 90-degree angle.
5. **Apply Rotational Pressure:** Lift the opponent's shoulder off the mat and push their hand toward their shoulder blades (as if trying to bring their hand behind their back) to finish the lock.

## Kimura as a Control Position

In modern MMA and BJJ, the Kimura grip is frequently used not just as a finishing submission, but as a transitional control system. Attacking fighters use the Kimura grip to sweep their opponent, take their back (leading to a [Rear-Naked Choke](rear-naked-choke.md)), transition to other submissions like armbars, or prevent them from getting back to their feet.

## Defense & Counter-Strategies

Preventing the rotation of the shoulder is critical to defending the Kimura lock:

- **Hide the Hand:** Grab your own thigh, pants, or belt to prevent the arm from being peeled away.
- **Straighten the Arm:** Straighten the arm to break the leverage of the 90-degree angle.
- **Post up and Roll:** Move your hips to align your posture with the attacker, neutralizing the angle, or roll through to escape the side control pressure.

### Authority Citations

1. [International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Rules Book](https://ibjjf.com/books-videos) - IBJJF
2. [Double Wristlock / Kimura Submission History](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_wristlock) - Wikipedia