The Japan Times and Mail, Thursday 18th January 1940
(Page 5)
EX-WASEDA STUDENT WRESTLER BEATEN
Photo shows Tatekabuto (right) as he pushed Kasagiyama,
former Waseda University student out of the ring for victory in Tuesday's
bouts at the sumo tournament at the Kokugikan, Ryogoku.
FUTABAYAMA ONLY UNDEFEATED WRESTLER IN CURRENT TOURNEY
With Grand Champion Minanogawa and Champion Haguroyama
falling by the way side Tuesday in the sixth day of the 15-day sumo tournament
at Ryogoku, Grand Champion Futabayama is the only undefeated wrestler of
some 50 contestants in the "makunouchi" or top ranking circle. He had no
trouble in disposing of Ayawaka for his sixth straight victory Tuesday
and his clinching of individual honors with nary a defeat is said to be
a foregone conclusion.
Grand Champion Minanogawa, 37, was stacked up against
Oshio, 40, the oldest of competing wrestlers. Having won impressively up
to Tuesday, Minanogawa was a heavy favorite. They fell into a clinch, each
holding the other's girdle with the left hand to be on equal terms. But
Oshio was the more aggressive. He attempted an arm throw. Minanogawa checked
it but he momentarily lost his balance. Making the best use of this opening,
Oshio started pushing and he didn't stop until he had forced Minanogawa
out of the ring.
HAGUROYAMA BEATEN
The day's hero was burly Sagamigawa, only 22 year old
and considered with the makings of a future "yokozuna" or grand champion.
He was the first to defeat Haguroyama, stable mate of Futabayama and who
is competing for the first time as an "ozeki" or champion. Believing that
he wouldn't have a chance if the two fell into a clinch because of Haguroyama's
greater experience, Sagamigawa attacked with both hands. This very tactics
had sent the strong Tamanoumi fairly spinning out of the ring on the second
day of the tournament. Haguroyama attempted to get a hold of one of Sagamigawa's
arms but as he did so, Sagamigawa gave him a strong push. Haguroyama reeled
backwards but rallied to stick his right arm through Sagamigawa's defense.
Feeling secure, now that he had grasped his opponent, Haguroyama started
pushing. As he was forced back, Sagamigawa pulled downward with his powerful
arms and Haguroyama's left knee touched the sand, and victory went to Sagamigawa.
In sumo, no portion of the body above the ankle must touch the sand.
Akinoumi, who stopped Grand Champion Futabayama's
winning streak over two and a half years in the tournament last January
and overnight became a national hero, started the current tourney in bad
style by losing on the first and second days to much weaker opponents.
But his impressive victory over the up and coming Saganohana in the day's
leading bout shows that he has come back into his own and will finish the
tournament with a brilliant record, according to the experts. His record
to date is four victories and two defeats.
AYANOBORI WINS
The referee's decision in favor of Ayanobori in his
bout with Banjaku was disputed. It was called a no bout and the two ordered
to fight it over. This time, after another torrid battle, Ayanobori resorted
to an arm throw and Banjaku's great body went sailing through the air for
an Ayanobori victory.
The West side won 13 bouts as against nine by the
East side and the two will start today's matches on an even basis of 70-70
for the six days to date.
The results of the principal bouts Tuesday follow:
Kojimagawa defeated Ichiwatari
Tatekabuto defeated Genjiyama
Jintozan defeated Hatasegawa
Futasegawa defeated Katsuragawa
Matsuuragata defeated Sakuranishiki
Fujinosato defeated Komatsuyama
Yamatonishiki defeated Tsurugamine
Yamatoiwa defeated Tomoegata
Taikyuzan defeated Shachinosato
Shikainami defeated Aobayama
Kuganishiki defeated Kashimanada
Ryuozan defeated Kaneminato
Fujigadake defeated Matsunosato
Terukuni defeated Dewaminato
Tatekabuto defeated Kasagiyama
Itsutsushima defeated Asahigawa
Hishuzan defeated Tamanoumi
Ayanobori defeated Banjaku
Nayoroiwa defeated Komanosato
Akinoumi defeated Saganohana
Sagamigawa defeated Haguroyama
Mayedayama defeated Onami
Futabayama defeated Ayawaka
Oshio defeated Minanogawa
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