The Japan Times and Mail, Wednesday 24th January 1940
(Page 5)
AKINOUMI WINS THRILLING MATCH
As the cameraman caught Akinoumi (right) crushing Champion
Haguroyama of the East side in the most exciting match in Monday's sumo
bouts at the Kokugikan at Ryogoku.
THRILLING BOUTS FEATURE SPRING SUMO TOURNEY
One thrilling bout after another featured the twelfth
day Monday of the current 15-day professional sumo tournament at the Kokugikan
at Ryogoku. Grand Champion Minanogawa of the West side tasted his third
defeat in the tourney by being thrown by Tamanoumi, ace pupil of the late
Grand Champion Tamanishiki.
Tactics of Minanogawa to shove Tamanoumi out of
the ring by taking advantage of his greater height and weight failed when
Tamanoumi countered with an arm throw that sent the former's giant body
sailing through the air.
NAYOROIWA WINS
Nayoroiwa, stable mate of Grand Champion Futabayama
won a brilliant victory by outsmarting Champion Mayedayama, also of the
West side. They could not get spiritually united to start and consumed
the 10 minutes maximum time allowed for starting. As they stood up, Nayoroiwa
charged furiously. Mayedayama sidestepped to the left ad shoved Nayoroiwa
with the intent of forcing him out of the ring largely on his own momentum.
But Nayoroiwa was not to be tricked. They fell into a clinch with both
thrusting their left arms through the other's defense for a firm grip on
the girdle. But Nayoroiwa was in a more advantageous position. They stood
motionless in the center of the ring for a full minute for under such circumstances,
the side that makes a move is usually thrown. When it seemed as if the
judges would call a halt to allow the contestants a breathing spell and
ten to continue from the same position, Nayoroiwa lifted Mayedayama, using
his great protruding belly as a lever and forced Mayedayama out of the
ring.
The most thrilling bout of the day was that between
Champion Haguroyama of the East side and Akinoumi, of "sekiwake" or rank
below champion, of the West side. The experts had forecasted that Akinoumi
would resort to attacking with both hands to prevent the physically larger
and stronger Haguroyama from attaining a hold. With the time limit up in
their process of starting, they rushed at each other and fell into a clinch.
Akinoumi was quick to thrust in his favorite left for a hold on Haguroyama's
girdle. The latter did likewise. As Haguroyama vainly tried to attain a
grip with his right arm from the outside, Akinoumi managed to grasp Haguroyama's
girdle at the front as well and started pushing. Haguroyama's body bent
like a bow at the edge of the ring, trying to check himself, and then he
attempted to throw Akinoumi to the side and out of the ring, but Akinoumi
held his ground and with one more hard push crushed Haguroyama outside
of the ring.
ITSUTSUSHIMA BEATEN
Itsutsushima, who on the previous day had the greatest
upset of the tourney by defeating Grand Champion Futabayama, suffered his
second setback by losing to the strong 21-year-old Terukuni.
Itsutsushima started attacking with both hands,
resorting to the same tactics that had beaten Futabayama. Terukuni countered
in similar manner. When they had half-circled the ring, Terukuni suddenly
bored in and thrust his arms through Itsutsushima's defense for firm grips
on the latter's girdle. And without losing any time, he used his big stomach
as a lever and just about lifted Itsutsushima out of the ring.
Ayanobori was no match for Grand Champion Futabayama,
who refused to be fooled by the former's two-handed attack. Instead of
charging as he did against Itsutsushima the day before to be sidestepped
and pushed from the back to go on all fours, Futabayama calmly waited.
The result was that Ayanobori had no alternative than to fall into a clinch
and Futabayama promptly forced him outside the ring.
It was a great day for the West side which garnered
13 victories as against nine by the East side, the result of which the
West side is leading 139 to 135 victories in the championship race.
The results of the principal bouts follow:
Kojimagawa defeated Yamatoiwa
Nishikidani defeated Hatasegawa
Ichiwatari defeated Kuganishiki
Shachinosato defeated Yamatonishiki
Komanosato defeated Tomoegata
Jintozan defeated Fujigatake
Genjiyama defeated Hishuzan
Fujinosato defeated Asahigawa
Taikyuzan defeated Tsurugamine
Banjaku defeated Kashimanada
Shikainami defeated Saganohana
Ryuozan defeated Matsuragata
Sakuranishiki defeated Kaneminato
Katsuragawa defeated Ayawaka
Sagamigawa defeated Aobayama
Ryogoku defeated Onami
Kasagiyama defeated Oshio
Dewaminato defeated Tatekabuto
Terukuni defeated Itsutsushima
Akinoumi defeated Haguroyama
Nayoroiwa defeated Mayedayama
Futabayama defeated Ayanobori
Tamanoumi defeated Minanogawa
