The Japan Times and Mail, Wednesday 17th January 1940
(Page 5)
MUCH DISPUTED BOUT
An alert cameraman snapped this picture of the bout
between Dewaminato (right) and Saganohana just before both hit the
sand Monday at the Kokugikan. It was Dewaminato who made an arm throw and
down went Saganohana. The referee, however, ruled Dewaminato's left leg
had stepped out of the ring, and awarded victory to Saganohana. The judges
upheld the decision after a 15-minute powwow.
KANEMINATO STEALS THE SHOW BY DEFEATING ITSUTSUSHIMA
Kaneminato, scarcely over 5 feet in height and the
smallest of the contestants in the top ranking circle, stole the show Monday
in the fifth day of the current 15-day Sumo tournament at the Kokugikan
bowl at Ryogoku by defeating Itsutsushima, bigger in physique and several
scales higher in the individual ranking of the wrestlers.
Kaneminato's victory was all the more impressive
as Itsutsushima had been undefeated up to Monday and was an overwhelming
favorite. No sooner had they stood up to do battle than Itsutsushima, instead
of resorting to his usual tactics of shoving his right arm through his
opponent's defense for a grip on his girdle, attacked with both hands at
Kaneminato's throat. But the clever Kaneminato shoved Itsutsushima to the
side and as the latter stumbled, Kaneminato followed up his advantage and
shoved his opponent out from the rear.
REFEREE'S DECISION DISPUTED
The bouts were held up for 15 minutes by a dispute in
the match between Dewaminato and Saganohana. After a rip-snorting scrimmage,
Dewaminato effected an arm throw and Saganohana fell out of the ring but
the referee ruled Saganohana as the winner, claiming that Dewaminato's
left foot had stepped out of the ring before he made his throw. Ryogoku,
who was Dewaminato's second, protested against the decision on the ground
that Dewaminato's foot was squarely on the straw, marking the circle, and
had not stepped out.
The judges had a powwow in the center of the ring
for some 15 minutes, after numerous talks with the seconds on both sides,
and finally decided to uphold the referee's decision.
As the result of the bouts on Monday, the only undefeated
wrestlers are Grand Champion Futabayama and Champion Haguroyama on the
East side and Grand Champion Minanogawa on the West side.
Kuganishiki of the East side, who had been undefeated
up to Monday, fell by the way side when he was defeated by the veteran
Fujinosato.
Grand Champion Futabayama had no trouble disposing
of the stout Kashimanada, who had defeated him in the tourney last January.
They grasped each other's girdle to be on even terms but Futabayama started
pushing and there was no stopping him.
Grand Champion Minanogawa had a narrow escape in
his bout with Banjaku, he of the great protruding belly. Banjaku started
a drive and forced Minanogawa to the edge of the ring. Banjaku keeping
up his offensive, attempted a leg throw, and when Minanogawa checked it,
he resorted to an arm throw. Checking this, Minanogawa in turn started
pushing with his giant body and out went Banjaku.
EAST SIDE LEADS
Scoring 13 victories for the day as against nine by
their opponents, the wrestlers of the East side took a 61-57 lead over
the West side for the five days ending Monday.
The results of the principal matches follow:
Kiyomigawa defeated Kojimagawa
Sadogashima defeated Matsuuragata
Futasegawa defeated Shikainami
Ichiwatari defeated Hatasegawa
Fujinosato defeated Kuganishiki
Yamatonishiki defeated Genjiyama
Komatsuyama defeated Jintozan
Komanosato defeated Katsuragawa
Sakuranishiki defeated Shachinosato
Fujigatake defeated Yamatoiwa
Saganohana defeated Dewaminato
Tsurugamine defeated Ryogoku
Onami defeated Hishuzan
Asahigawa defeated Kasagiyama
Terukuni defeated Matsunosato
Kaneminato defeated Itsutsushima
Tatekabuto defeated Sagamigawa
Ayanobori defeated Tomoegata
Tamanoumi defeated Ryuozan
Akinoumi defeated Oshio
Nayoroiwa defeated Ayawaka
Mayedayama defeated Aobayama
Haguroyama defeated Taikyuzan
Minanogawa defeated Banjaku
Futabayama defeated Kashimanada
