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'I'm a bit leaner' Musashimaru beats Takanonami for his fourth victory
Posted: Tuesday March 30, 1999 10:06 AM
OSAKA, Japan (AP) -- Hawaii-born Musashimaru drove out his fellow ozeki (champion) Takanonami to clinch the 15-day Spring Grand Sumo Tournament Sunday with a 13-2 record. It was the 27-year-old's fourth tournament victory and his first win since January of last year. Wrestling before 8,000 spectators at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, Musashimaru put both hands inside on Takanonami's belt and shoved him out, handing Takanonami his third defeat against 12 victories. Both wrestlers entered the ring with a 12-2 record. Asked about the tournament victory, the 222 kilogram (488 pound) Musashimaru joked, "I'm a bit leaner now. I've reduced my weight 10 kilograms (22 pounds)." "I've also stopped drinking." Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, received the 10 million yen (US$85,000) tournament victory prize. In other major bouts, Akinoshima pulled down his fellow komusubi (junior champion second class) Tochiazuma to receive his seventh two million yen (US$17,000) Outstanding Performance prize for his 11-4 record. Tochiazuma finished at 8-7. No. 7 maegashira Miyabiyama received his first two million yen (US$17,000) Fighting Spirit Award for his 9-6 record, although he lost the final day's bout to No. 1 maegashira Takanoriki (8-7) by a driving technique. Komusubi (junior champion second class) Dejima bulldozed out No. 9 maegashira Chiyotenzan, leaving both wrestlers at 9-6. Chiyotenzan won his second Fighting Spirit Award. No. 3 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, threw down No. 6 maegashira Minatofuji for his seventh victory against eight defeats. Minatofuji finished at 6-9. Because of the failure to win a majority of their bouts, both wrestlers may face the demotion before the next tournament on May 9. Wakanohana withdrew from the tournament on the 10th day, and his fellow yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana and ozeki (champion) Chiyotaikai dropped out on the 11th day. The three wrestlers suffered injuries in the bouts. No. 1-ranked Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, of the 26-member juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division, ended at 8-7, losing to No. 11 maegashira Tokitsuumi by a driving technique on Sunday. Tokitsuumi finished at 9-6. In the juryo division, No. 11-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, twisted down No. 4-ranked Dewaarashi, leaving both wrestlers at 9-6. In the highest junior division of makushita, No. 11-ranked Kaishinzan (4-3), or American Henry Armstrong Miller, threw down No. 16-ranked Tokiryu. No. 27-ranked Hoshiandesu (5-2), or Argentine Jose Antonio Juarez, was driven out by No. 23-ranked Fukuzono. In jonidan, the third highest junior division, No. 20-ranked Kuniazuma, or Brazilian Vander Ramos, won the division's title by crushing down No. 89-ranked Kin, or Kim Son-tek from South Korea, in a playoff. Both wrestlers ended at 7-0 in the regular tournament. Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the 15-day tournament.
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