Three major upsets marked the opening of the 15-day “Spring” Sumo championship tournament at the Kokugikan bowl on Thursday. Nayoroiwa and Akinoumi, of “sekiwake” or third rank from “yokozuna” or grand champion of the East and West sides respectively, and Tamanoumi, of “komusubi” or rank immediately below sekiwake of the East side, all suffered defeats.
    Akinoumi, who had leaped into fame in the January tourney last year when he put a stop to Grand Champion Futabayama's winning streak over three years, proved a disappointment to his admirers. Even the experts had expected him to come through with the brightest performance on the West side. As a matter of fact, he was on the verge of victory against lanky Fujigatake. All he needed was just more push but Fujigatake effected a last minute throw that shoved Akinoumi instead outside the ring.
    A two-handed pushing attack by Taikyuzan, who hails from Osaka, was responsible for his victory over Nayoroiwa, stable-mate of Futabayama. As Nayoroiwa was forced back, Taikyuzan slipped his left arm through his opponent's defense for a firm grip on the latter's girdle and succeeded with a beautiful arm throw.
    Dewaminato, who went through the January tournament last year without a defeat to win the championship, proved a bit too smart for Tamanoumi. His leg-hold sent the strong Tamanoumi down onto the sand.
    Grand Champions Futabayama and Minanogawa were altogether too strong for their opponents. Sagamigawa, whose chief admirer is Kikugoro, the famous Kabuki actor, is more than 6 feet in height but Futabayama had little trouble throwing him. Minanogawa just about crushed Tsurugamine out of the ring.
    As is usual, the case on the opening day, progress of the bouts was slow. The first bout started at 2 a.m. and it was not until 8:45 p.m. when Futabayama defeated Sagamigawa in the day's concluding bout.
    Under the revived East versus West competition after an interval of nine years, the West side led 13 to 11 victories at the end of the first day's matches.

The results of these principal bouts after the intermission follow:
Shikainami defeated Hatasegawa
Fujinosato defeated Genjiyama
Katsuragawa defeated Sakuranishiki
Kuganishiki defeated Jintozan
Yamatonishiki defeated Matsuuragata
Komatsuyama defeated Ichiwatari
Komanosato defeated Kojimagawa
Yamatoiwa defeated Shachinosato
Saganohana defeated Dewanohana
Kaneminato defeated Matsunosato
Oshio defeated Ryogoku
Ayawaka defeated Onami
Banjaku defeated Kasagiyama
Terukuni defeated Ryuozan
Itsutsushima defeated Aobayama
Kashimanada defeated Tatekabuto
Ayanobori defeated Asahigawa
Dewaminato defeated Tamanoumi
Fujigatake defeated Akinoumi
Taikyuzan defeated Nayoroiwa
Mayedayama defeated Tomoegata
Haguroyama defeated Hishuzan
Minanogawa defeated Tsurugamine
Futabayama defeated Sagamigawa