The Japan Times and Mail, Sunday 14th January 1940
(Page 5)
NEWCOMER REGISTERS SURPRISE
Sagamigawa, 23, who is 6 ft. 2 in. tall and weighs about
280 pounds and is considered a future grand champion, stole the show in
the sumo matches Friday at the Kokugikan. Resorting to a two-handed attack,
he sent Tamanoumi, of much higher rank, sprawling out of the ring. Photo
shows Sagamigawa winning after a final push.
GRAND CHAMPIONS SHOW POWER IN SUMO TOURNEY AT RYOGOKU
Grand Champions Futabayama and Minanogawa lived up
to their reputation and won without much trouble in the second day's bouts
at Ryogoku.
Taikyuzan, who on the previous day had defeated
Nayoroiwa, stable mate of Futabayama, attacked Futabayama with both hands
with the view to forcing him out of the ring. Futabayama, ever cool, took
everything Taikyuzan had to offer and lost no time thrusting his two arms
through Taikyuzan's defense for grips on the latter's girdle. Futabayama
attempted an arm throw. Taikyuzan checked it and in turn essayed a throw,
grasping Futabayama's neck. Futabayama broke the hold easily and promptly
pushed Taikyuzan out of the ring.
Aobayama charged desperately at Minanogawa but the
latter was altogether too strong for him. Minanogawa stopped him and pulled
with both hands and down went Aobayama onto the sand.
MAYEDAYAMA WINS
Mayedayama and Haguroyama, both “ozeki” or of champion
rank immediately below “yokozuna” or grand champion, both won impressively
Mayedayama shoved the clever Asahigawa out of the ring for his second straight
victory. Haguroyama, competing for the first time as a champion and who
only a few years back was a “sansuke” or worker in a public bathhouse,
out shoved Ayawaka out of the ring.
Three upsets were registered to the amazement of
the close followers of the sport. Akinoumi, a heavy favorite over Tomoegata,
pushed the latter to the edge of the ring, but Tomoegata checked the drive
momentarily and pulled Akinoumi instead that was forced out of the ring
for defeat. Ayanobori, a stable mate of Akinoumi, was the favorite over
Saganohana, but the latter proved the stronger in a rip snorting battle
and threw the former out of the ring. Then it was Tamanoumi, ace pupil
of the late Grand Champion Tamanishiki, who suffered defeat at the hands
of Sagamigawa, the bigger of the two, attacked with both hands to keep
Tamanoumi from getting a hold. And he succeeded in pushing Tamanoumi out
of the ring with his powerful hands.
One of the most interesting matches of the day was
that between Ryogoku and Banjaku. Ryogoku, without an ounce of flabby flesh,
but is nevertheless one of the strongest of the contestants with great
lifting power in his arms, was ever the aggressor. Twice he lifted Banjaku
into the air with the intention of throwing him down onto the sand, but
Banjaku refused to be thrown, and then in the end it was Banjaku's great
protruding stomach which served him as a lever to carry Ryogoku out of
the ring for a thrilling victory.
BOUTS PROGRESS FASTER
The bouts progressed much faster than the opening day
and the final match between Minanogawa and Aobayama ended at 6.34 p.m.,
or two hours and ten minutes earlier than on Thursday.
The East side won 13 matches as against 11 by the
West side in the principal bouts Friday to be deadlocked at 24 each for
the two days.
Friday's results follow:
Jintozan defeated Katsuragawa
Fujinosato defeated Hatasegawa
Sakuranishiki defeated Kojimagawa
Yamatoiwa defeated Komatsuyama
Kuganishiki defeated Yamatonishiki
Shachinosato defeated Shikainami
Genjiyama defeated Komanosato
Tsurugamine defeated Ichiwatari
Matsuuragata defeated Dewanohana
Dewaminato defeated Oshio
Onami defeated Kashimanada
Banjaku defeated Ryogoku
Hishuzan defeated Terukuni
Kasagiyama defeated Kaneminato
Tatekabuto defeated Matsunosato
Itsutsushima defeated Fujigatake
Sagamigawa defeated Tamanoumi
Saganohana defeated Ayanobori
Nayoroiwa defeated Ryuozan
Tomoegata defeated Akinoumi
Haguroyama defeated Ayawaka
Mayedayama defeated Asahigawa
Futabayama defeated Taikyuzan
Minanogawa defeated Aobayama
