The Osaka Mainichi and Tokyo Nichi Nichi, Saturday 11th January 1941 (Page 3)

Spring Sumo Tourney Gets Under Way


Fans Jam Kokugikan, 1st Day

    The "spring" main tourney of the Dai nippon Professional Sumo Association, the third tourney since the restoration of the inter-team system, East vs. West, was opened on January 10 at the Kokugikan, Tokyo.
    Because of the enthusiastic fans who began flocking to the Kokugikan from early in the morning of January 9, the doors were opened for them shortly before 5 p.m. on that day. Fans continued to gather in an endless stream also from early in the morning of January 10, and the Kokugikan management had to hang up "full house" notices at 8 a.m.
    Meanwhile, official matches were started at 1 a.m.

Opening Ceremony

    An opening ceremony was held during the "nakairi" recess, with executive officials of the association and sumo wrestlers holding the title of "yokozuna" or the rank of "ozeki", "sekiwake", and "komusubi", mounting the ring.
    The national anthem was first sung in unison by all, this being followed by a bow toward the Imperial Palace and the offering of a silent tribute for the repose of the spirits of the servicemen at the front. The championship cup and flag were the returned by Akinoumi, the winner of the individual honor in the last tourney. The ceremony wound up with an address of thanks delivered by Kyushuzan, representing the grapplers who have returned from the China front, to the support given from behind the guns.
    The first days' results of the leading matches were :
Sagamigawa defeated Saganohana
Kasagiyama defeated Fujigatake
Asahigawa defeated Kyushuzan
Nayoroiwa defeated Yamatonishiki
Tamanoumi defeated Dewaminato
Terukuni won by default Fujinosato
Hishuzan defeated Aobayama
Matsuuragata defeated Itsutsujima
Maedayama defeated Tatekabuto
Haguroyama defeated Ayakawa
Akinoumi defeated Sadogashima
Futabayama defeated Shintozan
Minanogawa defeated Katsuragawa

    The matches of the leading grapplers on the second day, January 11, are:
 

Asahigawa Shintozan
Nayoroiwa Ayanobori
Tatekabuto Hishuzan
Terukuni Sagamigawa
Banjaku Akinoumi
Fujigatake Itsutsushima
Aobayama Maedayama
Haguroyama Ryuozan
Tsurugamine Minanogawa
Futabayama Ryogoku