A wrestling match has sparked heated debate across social media platforms after footage emerged showing a competitor executing a controversial kani basami takedown – a technique banned in multiple combat sports due to its potential for causing serious injury.
The video, which has garnered significant attention online, shows a wrestler in red performing the scissor-like leg sweep on his opponent in blue. Slow-motion replay reveals a concerning moment where the defending athlete’s foot becomes trapped on the mat while his knee is forced inward by his opponent’s momentum.
“This combination of ankle eversion and sudden valgus stress on the knee can cause catastrophic damage to the major ligaments,” explains a veteran grappling instructor who wished to remain anonymous. “Including the ACL, MCL, and sometimes even the PCL.”
While the technique remains legal in freestyle wrestling, it has been prohibited in judo and many other grappling competitions specifically due to safety concerns. Multiple athletes have come forward sharing personal experiences with injuries resulting from similar moves.
“I’ve been off the mats for 7 months because someone wanted to try this at practice,” shared one grappler on social media. Another commented: “Tore my ankle in a similar way, not fun wouldn’t recommend.”
Sports medicine experts suggest that while there are ways to execute and defend against the technique more safely, the inherent risk of serious knee and ankle injuries remains high. Many coaches advocate for broader restrictions on the move across all combat sports to protect athletes’ long-term health and mobility.
The incident has reignited discussions about balancing competitive techniques with athlete safety in combat sports, with many calling for standardized rules across different disciplines regarding potentially dangerous moves.
