The Osaka Mainichi: May 10,1942

The Osaka Mainichi and Tokyo Nichi Nichi, Sunday 10th May 1942 (Page 3)

Sumo Tournament Opens

Tourney Commanding Special Interest; Efforts Of Akinoumi, Terukuni Watched; Young Newcomers May Provide Fireworks
By Eimei Kato, Staff Member

    The drums of Ryogoku resounded again in the early morning air of Saturday, May 9, to announce the opening of the second professional sumo tournament since the outbreak of the Greater East Asia War.
    Futabayama, the defending champion, flanked by Haguroyama, Maedayama, Akinoumi, Terukuni and hundreds of other brawny disciples of the ancient sport, took the ring of then great Kokugikan stadium from May 10 for the annual main summer tournament of the Nippon Professional Sumo Association.
    While the "seki-tori" ranks this year will miss the presence of former Grand Champion Minanogawa and "Ozeki" Itsutsushima, promising newcomers in the persons of six foot 230 lb. Okuma and Onomori should fill in the gaps admirably.

3 Major Changes     The new sumo rankings saw three major changes. Two youthful wrestlers, Saganohana and Toyoshima, have been elevated to the fourth rank of "Komusubi," while veteran Dewaminato scored enough victories in the last tourney to raise him to the "Sekiwake" or third rank.
    The retirement of Minanogawa and Itsutsushima from active competition, as might be expected, has greatly upset the East-West team pairings. To remedy the unequal balance of power, the sumo officials shifted the strong Isegahama group of wrestlers to the West side. This has brought over to the West ranks such strong wrestlers as "Ozeki" Terukuni, Kiyomigawa, Bishuzan, and Wakasegawa.
    At first glance, the East side with Futabayama, Haguroyama, Maedayama, Tamanoumi, Nayoroiwa, Saganohana, and Futasegawa appears to have the edge against the West's upper ranks including Akinoumi, Terukuni, Kasagiyama, Dewaminato, Toyoshima Hishuzan, and Kiyomigawa, but the middle ranks of the West side is very strong. The edge goes to the East side in the lower ranks. It remains to be seen if the middle ranks of the West side can garner enough points to offset the victories of the upper East side. Main Interest Of Meet     The main interest of the coming tourney, therefore, will be the efforts of the "Ozeki" wrestlers Akinoumi and Terukuni to topple the Grand Champions Futabayama and Haguroyama. Both Akinoumi and Terukuni will be aiming at the coveted "Yokozuna" (Grand Champion) rank and they will be out there trying hard.
    "Ozeki" Maedayama will be another wrestler trying for the "Yokozuna" honor, as he has been for several years. Shifted from the West to the east side this time, Maedayama will have his best chance since becoming an "Ozeki." For once he will not have to pit his strength against his nemesis Futabayama and Haguroyama.
    During the past week, your correspondent made the rounds of several wrestling camps, including the Tatsunami, Isegahama, and Dewanoumi schools, and it can be stated without fear of contradiction that the wrestlers are out for blood this summer. Even veteran followers of the sumo sport, who daily haunt the practise arenas of the various schools, are commenting on the stiff training schedules this year. No Sure Bets     To your correspondent, there doesn't seem to be any sure bets for the championship, but it is pretty certain that Futabayama, Haguroyama, Akinoumi and Terukuni will be on the inside track with the first and third mentioned in top condition.
    We look for Saganohana to become a "sekiwake" by the next tourney, but Toyoshima is going ahead a little too fast and may not be raised so soon.
    If Akinoumi can score a record showing only one defeat, he may be made a "Yokozuna" to replace Minanogawa.
    But sumo is a sport which holds many surprises. Often out of no-where a "dark horse" come through to upset the old apple cart. The most phenomenal rise since last tourney was made by veteran Matsunosato of the West side. He did so well in the main spring tourney that he was raised from the 19th to 6th in the rankings, a jump of 13 places. Watch Okuma, Onomori     In conclusion, a word about the newcomers Okuma and Onomori. It is to be noted that both are only 22 years old. Although of the same age, both are entirely different stylists. Okuma is like a python with a strong grip and long arms, while Onomori is like a panther that strikes hard and fast. Speed is the only thing they have in common. They are going to be mighty interesting to watch. Keep your eye on them. Watch also the brilliant strategy of Kamikaze of the East side who is another youth going up by leaps and bounds. In fact, it may well be that all the fireworks of the tournament will be by the younger group.