The Japan Times and Mail, Thursday 19th January 1939
(Page 3)
HIS 6TH STRAIGHT WIN
Grand Champion Minanogawa, left, shoving Akinoumi out
of the ring for his sixth straight victory Tuesday afternoon in the Sumo
tourney at the Kokugikan.
FUTABAYAMA'S DEFEAT CEASES TO BECOME NEWS IN TOURNEY
Grand Champion Futabayama's defeat has ceased to
become news. Invincible since the Spring tournament of 1936 with a string
of 69 consecutive victories up to Sunday, he was beaten for the third consecutive
day Tuesday afternoon in the sixth day's bouts of the 13-day Sumo tournament
at the Kokugikan bowl at Ryogoku.
The winner this time was the short but stout Kashimanada,
some 20 pounds heavier than Futabayama. He had the jump on Futabayama,
and the latter was unable to check the former's charge to be shoved out
of the ring. Futabayama might have demurred in starting because there was
still time left, plenty of it, in the time allowed of 10 minutes. But like
a true champion who should always be willing to take on his opponents,
he rose to do battle. Without a question, Futabayama is really not in the
best of physical condition. There in the ring, in the intervals between
the "shikiri" or process of getting started, he seemed to lack vigor.
CONTRACTED DYSENTERY
Having contracted dysentery while on an exhibition tour
to Manchuria last Summer to console the soldiers, Futabayama had been inactive
until a few weeks before the opening of the current tournament. Many were
the friends that urged him not to compete but with the death of Grand Champion
Tamanishiki in December, Futabayama felt it obligatory on his part to enter
the championships as a responsibility to the sport and also not to disappoint
the fans. Another Grand Champion, Musashiyama, had not entered because
of an ailing arm. And so absence from the tourney of Futabayama would have
dealt a heavy blow.
In compliance with the urgent plea of his admirers,
Futabayama was to take a physical examination at the Keio Hospital today.
But he said Tuesday night, the only thing that would stop him from competing
would be a broken arm or leg.
Among letters of encouragement received by Futabayama
Tuesday was one from Kikugoro, Japan's leading Kabuki actor.
Futabayama himself could not explain the cause for
his consecutive defeats, when questioned Tuesday night. He said he felt
no different from the ordinary, but he was exasperated at his own weakness
in that day's bout against Kashimanda.
MINANOGAWA WINS
But to get back to the bouts on Tuesday, Grand Champion
Minanogawa won his sixth straight bout without a defeat by making mincemeat
out of Akinoumi, who had started Futabayama on his losing streak. Akinoumi
dashed out against the far bigger Minanogawa with the intent of getting
a hold on to Minanogawa's girdle. But the latter, although usually slow
of foot, sidestepped. And as Akinoumi checked himself from running out
of the ring on his own strength, Minanogawa caught hold of him with his
giant arms and shoved him out easily for victory.
Only other wrestler within the first ranking grapplers
without a defeat is Dewaminato, who took the measure of Aobayama. The up
and coming Hishuzan had been running neck and neck with Minanogawa and
Dewaminato but he suffered a setback at the hands of the lanky Takanobori.
Champion Mayedayama's attack with both hands proved
too much for the strong Ryogoku, who had downed Futabayama on Monday. Incidentally,
Mayedayama rallied from a two-day losing streak.
Haguroyama, who has the most powerfully built body,
revenged his defeat last year by throwing Champion Kagamiiwa right in the
middle of the ring.
Nayoroiwa, who like Haguroyama is a stable-mate
of Futabayama, vanquished Banjaku in the feature match of the day. Each
grasped the other's girdle to be on even terms. But Nayoroiwa, the younger
of the two, was the aggressor. Twice he pushed Banjaku to the edge of the
ring but the latter checked. Then finally Nayoroiwa attempted a body throw
and down went Banjaku's great body.
The results of the principal bouts after the intermission follow.
| Ayanishiki |
defeated |
Ichiwatari |
| Dewaminato |
defeated |
Aobayama |
| Yamatoiwa |
defeated |
Toshuzan |
| Dewanohana |
defeated |
Tomoegata |
| Fujigatake |
defeated |
Jinmuyama |
| Takanobori |
defeated |
Hishuzan |
| Katsuragawa |
defeated |
Ayawaka |
| Tsurugamine |
defeated |
Taikyuzan |
| Wakashima |
defeated |
Kaneminato |
| Tatekabuto |
defeated |
Ohshio |
| Onami |
defeated |
Fujinosato |
| Itsutsushima |
defeated |
Kaikozan |
| Ryuozan |
defeated |
Hatasegawa |
| Komanosato |
defeated |
Kojimagawa |
| Kasagiyama |
defeated |
Asahigawa |
| Tamanoumi |
defeated |
Yamatonishiki |
| Nayoroiwa |
defeated |
Banjaku |
| Ayanobori |
defeated |
Shachinosato |
| Mayedayama |
defeated |
Ryogoku |
| Haguroyama |
defeated |
Kagamiiwa |
| Kashimanada |
defeated |
Futabayama |
| Minanogawa |
defeated |
Akinoumi |
