The Japan Times and Mail, Tuesday 24th January 1939 (Page 3)

DEWAMINATO GETS 11TH, BEATS TAMANOUMI

    Dewaminato, just about assured himself of a spotless record and the championship in the 13-day Spring Sumo tournament at the Kokugikan bowl by defeating Tamanoumi, his biggest obstacle, Sunday afternoon in the 11th day's bouts before a packed crowd of more than 20,000 fans.
    Tamanoumi, ace pupil of the late Grand Champion Tamanishiki, had downed Grand Champion Minanogawa, the latter's only defeat up to Sunday, and Grand Champion Futabayama as well, and so it was believed that Dewaminato would have very little chance against him. But Dewaminato previous to the Spring tournament last year, had been a "Sekiwake," the third rank from grand champion the highest, and if experience is considered, he has had more than Tamanoumi and his victory Sunday should not be considered in the light of too much of an upset.
    Dewaminato had surprised his warmest admirers on Saturday by disposing of Haguroyama, who has made the quickest rise in the Sumo world. Sunday, in the most looked forward to match of the day, he triumphed over Tamanoumi with as beautiful body throw as has been seen in the Kokugikan ring.
    His opponent today was to be "Human Bullet" Tomoegata, short and stout, but with caution on Dewaminato's part, victory is to get the jump on Dewaminato and shove him out of the ring.
    Dewaminato's opponent on Tuesday, the final day of the bout, will be either Kaikozan, who has yet to win, or the short but crafty Kaneminato, or perhaps the lanky Takanobori. Dewaminato should have no trouble winning, if he does not lose his head.
    A victory today and Tuesday and Dewaminato will be the first wrestler to win the championship, other than a grand champion, champion, "sekiwake" and "komusubi," fourth rank from the top, since 1930 when Yamanishiki (the present Minanogawa) turned the trick.
    Plenty of happiness apparently is in store for Dewaminato. His life size portrait seems bent on being attached to the steel frame dome ceiling of the bowl, symbolic of the championship. And then he is to be married shortly after the tournament.

SOMETHING NEW

    Something new in Sumo history was written down when Champion Kagamiiwa and Banjaku both refused to go on after they had retaken their bout, electing to give each other the victory, saying they were too exhausted to start anew. They engaged in a torrid bout and it was called a draw, the two to wrestle again after the two succeeding bouts. But when they did so, neither could throw the other, and the referee separated the two. The upshot of it was that a defeat was charged to both wrestlers.
    Minanogawa again impressed the spectators with his herculean strength by virtually crushing the strong Haguroyama on the sand.
    Hishuzan, up and coming wrestler, defeated Onami for his tenth victory and like Minanogawa still has a chance of tying Dewaminato for the top honors.
    Futabayama had little trouble defeated Ayanobori, who is in a bad slump.

    The results of the principal bouts after the intermission follow:
Tsurugamine defeated Ichiwatari
Dewanohana defeated Toshuzan
Jinmuyama defeated Takanobori
Fujigatake defeated Ayawaka
Shachinosato defeated Fujinosato
Wakashima defeated Katsuragawa
Hishuzan defeated Onami
Aobayama defeated Yamatonishiki
Itsutsushima defeated Kaneminato
Kojimagawa defeated Ryuozan
Tatekabuto defeated Komanosato
Tomoegata defeated Ryogoku
Akinoumi defeated Hatasegawa
Kashimanada defeated Ohshio
Taikyuzan defeated Asahigawa
Kasagiyama defeated Kaikozan
Dewaminato defeated Tamanoumi
Kagamiiwa with Banjaku (both charged with defeats)
Mayedayama defeated Nayoroiwa
Minanogawa defeated Haguroyama
Futabayama defeated Ayanobori