Pacific Stars & Stripes, Sunday 15th February 1959
(Page 18)
Meiji Club Gives Party for 6 Sumo
MEIJI CLUB MANAGER JIM BLESSIN, MEETS
TWO POPULAR SUMO WRESTLERS Grand Champion Tochinishiki (Left), Former Champ
Chiyonoyama Are Guests (S&S Photo)
* * * *
TOKYO (S&S) - Six sumo wrestlers, including Grand
Champion Tochinishiki and former Grand Champion Chiyonoyama, were guests
at a party in the Meiji Club here Saturday night.
Some 200 attended the party, which has become an
annual affair, through the assistance of Meiji Club manager Jim Blessin,
for American sumo fans to meet their idols.
Hundreds of Americans, since corning to Japan, have
become great fans of one of the oldest Japanese sports.
* * *
TOCHINISHIKI and Chiyonoyama were presented silver trophies
by Blessin and Robert Halpin, club Vice president, after being introduced
to the audience by club publicity manager Dick Berry.
Highlight of the evening was when Miss Eileen Gregg,
an American school teacher from Springfield, HI., danced with 280-pound
Junior Champion Ohikari, ranked as a "komusubi" in the sumo world.
"It was the most exciting moment of my life," Miss
Gregg said. "I never expected a Japanese sumo wrestler to dance with me.
He was a good, graceful ballroom dancer."
"Hereafter I'll try to go to all the sumo tournaments,"
she said.
