OSAKA, Japan (UPI) - Grand champion Wakanohana captured his eighth sumo tournament title Sunday by defeating grand champion Tochinishiki in a bout that wrote a new page in the long history of the Japanese sport.
    It was the first time since 1939 that two grand champions had faced each other with undefeated records on the final day of a championship tournament.
    It also was Wakanohana's first championship without a defeat in the 15-day tournament and his first triumph in the championship held once a year in Osaka.
    It also was the eighth time that Wakanohana and Tochinishiki fought each other in title-deciding bouts. It marked the fifth time they engaged in the deciding match on the closing day of the championships. Wakanohana now has a 5-3 edge against Tochinishiki.
    The two rivals grasped each other on equal terms as a full house of more than 10,000 spectators went into a frenzy. Wakanohana started pushing but Tochinishiki checked himself at the edge of the ring. They then watched each other cautiously for a full minute, waiting for the other to take the initiative.
    Wakanohana tried an arm throw but Tochinishiki checked it. Apparently aware that Wakanohana had the greater stamina, Tochinishiki boldly withdrew his left hand which he had through Wakanohana's defense with the idea of breaking off his opponent's right hand hold on his girdle. Wakanohana quickly took advantage of the break in Tochinishiki's defense and began pushing. Tochinishiki was unable to stop him and was forced out of the ring.
    Tochinishiki, who had made a fortnight visit to Paris just before the tournament, failed in his quest for his 11th championship but was given a big hand.
    The three special awards were voted by the Sumo Writers Assn. as follows:
1) The "shukunsho" or top award to sekiwake Kashiwado, who attacked aggressively and outpushed ozeki Wakahaguro to drive him out of the ring for his ninth victory. It was Wakahaguro's seventh defeat against eight wins.
2) The "kantosho" or fighting award to sekiwake Kitabayama, who was upset Sunday by komusubi Wakanoumi. It was Kitabayama's fifth loss against 10 wins. Wakanoumi finished the tournament with a 6-9 record.
3) The "ginosho" or best technique award to first-ranking maegashira Kitanonada, who suffered his sixth setback Sunday at the hands of maegashira Wakamisugi. It was Wakamisugi's 11th win against four losses.
    Nineteen-year-old maegashira Taiho, glamor boy of the January tournament, registered his seventh win against eight setbacks by forcing maegashira Kanenohana out of the ring. Taiho therefore will be demoted by several ratings in the next tournament in May.

    ALL THE BAR STOOLS WERE OCCUPIED LONG BEFORE the main bout and some men were standing. The main eventers were due to come on about 5:45 p.m. With a few minutes to go, there were two solid rows of fans in front of the television set.
    This was the Meiji Club's Flame Room, gathering place of some of sumo's most rabid followers, and it was the final match of the 15-day Osaka tournament matching grand champions Wakanohana and Tochinishiki, both with 14-0 records.