Pacific Stars & Stripes, Friday 23nd January 1959
(Page 21)
CROWD-PLEASING SUMO wrestler Wakanohana
gets set for some fancy tactics and eventually threw his opponent, Kuninobori,
during a recent match in the current sumo tournament in Tokyo. Thursday
Waka, as he is popularly called, picked up his 12th straight win in the
tourney and fans are now asking whether he can come through the tourney
undefeated. (S&S Photo)
Wakanohana Wins 12th; Needs 1 More for Title
TOKYO (UPI) - Yokozuna (grand champion) Wakanohana
Thursday vanquished former ozeki (champion) Matsunobori for his 12th straight
victory and interest shifted to whether he would win the 15-day sumo tournament
with an undefeated record.
Thirty-year-old Wakanohana, who was promoted to
yokozuna after winning the January tournament just one year ago, will capture
the title Friday if he beats 33-year-old sekiwake Tokitsuyama. Eighth ranking
maegashira Tsurugamine and 11th ranking maegashira Kiryugawa who remained
with only two losses going into Thursday's bouts and were Wakanohana's
closest contenders, suffered their third defeats.
* * *
TSURUGAMINE WAS defeated as he was outcharged by 24-year-old
first ranking maegashira Wakahaguro and pushed out of the ring.
Nineteen-year-old fourth ranking maegashira Wakachichibu,
weighing 320 pounds, scored his eighth victory as he downed Kiryugawa after
a nip-and-tuck struggle.
Thirty-three-year-old yokozuna Tochinishiki and
29-year-old ozeki Asashio won their ninth victories in 12 bouts.
* * *
TOCHINISHIKI THREW 24-year-old komusubi Annenyama, who
Wednesday upset Asashio.
Asashio proved too strong for 35-year-old komusubi
Kitanonada.
