Pacific Stars & Stripes, Monday 24th November 1958
(Page 21)
May Become Yokozuna
Asashio Wins Kyushu Sumo Title
FUKUOKA, Japan (UPI) - Twenty-eight-year-old ozeki
Asashio of Amami Oshima Island south of Kyushu won the official 15-day
Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament here Sunday by defeating yokozuna Wakanohana
in the closing bout.
Asashio's victory was his 14th win against one loss
in the tournament compared with runner-up Wakanohana's record of 12 victories,
two losses and one draw.
An over-capacity crowd of more than 10,000 at the
indoor sports center arena here saw Asashio and Wakanohana grapple in a
hard-fought bout.
* * *
WAKANOHANA DECLINED to do battle at the first try at
the expiration of the four-minute starting ritual. Then it was Asashio
who demurred. They rushed at each other on the third attempt.
Asashio took the offensive, attempting body throws.
Wakanohana checked and held his ground but the ever-attacking Asashio finally
forced Wakanohana to the edge of the ring.
Then in an all-out effort Asashio pushed Wakanohana
out of the ring to win the coveted title.
It was Asashio's fourth tournament title since March,
1956. He may be promoted to yokozuna, sumo's highest rank, before the next
official tournament next January in Tokyo.
Wakanohana, on the other hand, missed winning his
third straight tournament title.
A jubilant Asashio, who recently announced his engagement
to a former movie actress, told reporters that the toughest of his 15 bouts
was Sunday's match against Wakanohana.