Masahiko Kimura
The first reported variation was the front triangle choke or , applied from the position known in modern times as guard, often after a pull down or . Another variation was the horizontal triangle or , performed from the side. Martial arts historian Toshiya Masuda has attributed its innovation to Masahiko Kimura, who would have created it during the Takudai kosen judo tournament at Takushoku University and accomplished prolonged success with it, though he also deems probable that Kimura only popularized the variation instead of creating it. The inverted variation or , typically seen in modern judo competition, was the next addition, preceding many others.