The final phase of this exercise is often misunderstood.
Once uke jo has reached between uchi jo’s two hands, the idea is not to lift a dead weight, as a weightlifter might lift a barbell. This is not a strength exercise; indeed, if uchi jo were to lock their position, it would be impossible to lift them by force in order to throw them.
The exercise is based on the principle of awase: when uke jo is in control between uchi jo’s two wrists, uchi jo raises his jo once more to attack shomen. Uke jo then simply has to follow this movement, harmonising with it, to throw the opponent effortlessly:
