Lake County Times: November 12, 1907

The Lake County Times, Tuesday 12th November 1907 (Page 8)
PRESIDENT SEES SPORT
Champion Jap and Assistants give Wrestling Bouts at White House

The Fort Wayne Sentinel, Tuesday 12th November 1907 (Page 8)
THAT WRESTLING SHOW AT WHITE HOUSE A HOT ONE
Champion Jap's Exhibition Please President and His Guests

Washington, D. C., Nov. 12. - The historic east room of the White house was the scene yesterday of an exhibition of skill and strength which delighted the president of the United States and his guests, members of the tennis cabinet and some others. There have been weddings, funerals, public ceremonials, official receptions, and other functions of an impressive festive character in this fine apartment. Mrs. Abigail Adams, wife of the second president, hung up a week's wash there, but never before did a wrestling match take place within its four walls. It was an unusual affair and some of those who witnessed it said they would not have missed It for the world.
The exhibition was given by Taniemon Hitachiyama, champion of champions among Japan's wrestlers, and three associates, all athletes of note in their native country. Hitachiyama came to the White house yesterday in fulfillment of a promise made to President Roosevelt in September when he save the president a beautiful Japanese sword which had come to Hitachiyama from the people of his native town, as a mark of their admiration for his powers in the wrestling ring. At that time Hitachiyama told the president something of his wrestling experiences and the president asked him to come back some day and give a material demonstration of his methods. So Hitachiyama returned here yesterday and appeared at the White House in the afternoon with his assistants, prepared to show how the thing is done in Japan.

Explains Rules to President     The Japanese wrestlers brought with them a big padded mat, which was placed on the east room floor. On this they put a green carpet, upon which was chalked a circle 14 feet in diameter. Under the rules of wrestling, as demonstrated by the Japanese, a fall outside this circle does not count. There are other restrictions which Hitachiyama explained to the spectators.
    Hitachiyama and his assistants appeared at the White house in frock coats and silk hats, but quickly changed these for wrestling costumes, consisting of short tights, a breech cloth, with long strips of the same material attached to it for ornament, and tight fitting shirts. Hitachiyama is a giant in stature - a real man mountain - with a chest like an elephant and an upper arm as big as a boy's waist. He tips the scales at 290 pounds and overtopped every man present, including his brawny assistants.
    At a word from Hitachiyama two of his assistants stepped into the ring. One was a champion of the second class or middleweight wrestlers. He weighed 175 pounds and his opponent weighed ten pounds less. Hitachiyama explained they were to have five bouts. Under the rules of the sport, which is called "Sumo," it is necessary for one contestant to put the other down on the mat inside the 14-foot circle. If one contestant was thrown, outside the circle or if both contestants fell together the bout was a draw. Bouts Stir Gallery     The two wrestlers went at it cautiously at first, then with vehemence. The spectators saw a game, combination of boxing and wrestling, for each combatant used his hands in warding off the rushes of the other. In two bouts the wrestlers fell together, but in the other three the lighter man threw his opponent, and was declared the victor. Once the larger man was thrown over the head of his opponent and landed on his back.
    There was plenty of excitement around the ringside while the bouts were in progress. Ambassador Jusserand was the most enthusiastic member of the company. But the president and others were by no means indifferent to what they saw.
    Then Hitachiyama look his turn. He showed what a strong man could do against odds seemingly overwhelming. Three assistants took turns in rushing at, Hitachiyama. With his powerful arms he would throw each aside in the easiest manner. They tried every way to bring him to the ground, but the champion's strength and skill were too much for them whether they came singly or together. It was a wonderful exhibition, and when it was over the president and his guests crowded around Hitachiyama and congratulated him heartily. The president told him it was the most exciting, most interesting and most scientific sport he ever had seen.
    Hitachiyama had brought with him some presents for Mrs. Roosevelt. They were two handsome Japanese fans, and after the exhibition the big wrestler presented them to Mrs. Roosevelt, who was delighted with the gifts. The president gave Hitachiyama a photograph of himself with his signature attached.