The Japan Advertiser, Saturday 25th May 1940 (Page 3)

Sumo Wrestlers Promoted

    Shown celebrating their victories and their promotion in rank above are Akinoumi, right, and Itsutsushima, who were named "ozeki" yesterday morning by the unanimous vote of the officials of the Japan Sumo Wrestling Association. Akinoumi, who in January last year was the first man to defeat grand champion Futabayama after 69 victories, won 14 out of the 15 matches in the May tournament which ended on Thursday. Itsutsushima has toppled over Futabayama twice this year. He won 13 out of the 15 contests this season. Both men have a former champion, Dewanoumi, for their coach.

2 SUMO WRESTLERS GIVEN RAISE IN RANK

Akinoumi and Itsutsushima Become 'Ozeki' Following End Of Summer Meet

    Two sumo wrestlers, Akinoumi and Itsutsushima, both holding the rank of "sekiwaki" in the western camp during the past tournament, have been promoted a step and made "ozeki," one rank below the highest "yokozuna," according to Domei. In the 15 contests arranged for them n the past two weeks, Akinoumi lost just once, while Itsutsushima was defeated twice. Both men have as their coach Dewanoumi, a former champion.
    These promotions will give the western camp three men of "ozeki" rank,
said to be the first time since 1918 for such a thing to happen. The westerners already had Maedayama as their "ozeki." The last time for two 'ozeki' to be created on the same day was in 1937, when Futabayama and Kagamiiwa were promoted.
    Akinoumi, 26, comer from Hiroshima Prefecture, his name very likely being derived from the fact that prefecture used to be Aki Province before the Meiji Restoration. He first entered the ring in 1932 and came to be included among the top-notchers in 1938. He created a sensation in January, 1939, when he defeated Futabayama, the grand champion, who up to that match had been undefeated through 69 contests. He was made "sekiwaki" in January this year. Since becoming a "maegashira" he has participated in 84 matches, of which he won two-thirds.
    Itsutsushima is the senior of Akinoumi by two years, both in age and wrestling experience. He became a full-fledged wrestler in 1930 and became a "maegashira" in 1936. Although he had been regarded as promising, it is reported that for some reason or other he had not been faring very well until the last season when he humbled Futabayama. Before the May tournament began, he was made "sekiwaki" together with Terukuni, skipping the rank of "komusubi". He defeated Futabayama again for the second time this year on the 11th day of the May tournament.
    Terukuni, the 22-year old "sekiwaki" of the eastern camp, did not do as well as Itsutsushima with whom he was promoted. Terukuni lost four matches, one each to both Akinoumi and Itsutsushima and grand champion Minanogawa. However, he did better than anyone else in the eastern camp.