Deafening shouts filled the Kokugikan twice on the 12th day of the spring main sumo tourney on January 20, as Futabayama and Terukuni, both "yokozuna", suffered their third defeats, this time at the hands of Shionoumi, "maegashira,", and Saganohana, "komusubi", respectively.
    Saganohana, veteran grappler of the West team, who has lost only one match since the beginning of the current tournament, is now the most promising candidate for the individual championship.
    It was also a jinx day for Maedayama, "ozeki" of the West team, who was defeated by Toyoshima on that day, thus tasting his fourth defeat.
    By overpowering the West team 13 points to 7 on that day, the East team narrowed the west's lead in the inter-team series to eight points, the total score being 135 points to 127.