FUTABAYAMA GIVEN BATTLE BY AKINOUMI
Akinoumi, one of the most promising wrestlers of
the Dewanoumi Camp, showed that his victory over Grand Champion Futabayama
on the fourth day of the Spring tournament last January at the Kokugikan
bowl here to stop the latter's amazing winning streak over three years
at 69 victories, was no fluke by engaging in another torrid bout with him
Sunday in the fifth day's bouts of the current third annual tournament
at Osaka. In what the layman would consider an overtime match, Futabayama
finally won to score revenge.
No sooner had they stood up than Futabayama attained
his favorite hold of gripping his opponent's girdle on the back with his
left arm. But Akinoumi was clever enough and strong enough too for that
matter not to allow Futabayama to effect a hold with his right arm. Meanwhile,
he maneuvered himself into a strong defensive position by sticking his
head at Futabayama's chest. Then he took the offensive by forcing the Grand
Champion three times to the edge of the ring as supporters of Futabayama
grasped. The latter, however, in the pink of condition as can be witnessed
by his undefeated record at the tourney at Nagoya recently, managed to
check Akinoumi's drive. The two wrestlers were near exhaustion and the
judges called for time. This, of course, only happens rarely when it seems
neither oe of the contestant is in a position to throw the other.
For a moment, it looked as if Akinoumi would win
again when time was called in. He attempted a body throw from the left
but Futabayama checked it. He then started pushing Akinoumi and as the
latter tried to check it, resorted to a body throw and down went Akinoumi.
Two upsets were registered when Kashimanada threw
Nayoroiwa, stable-mate of Futabayama, and Yamatonishiki defeated Tamanoumi,
ace pupil of the late Grand Champion Tamanishiki.