on this day: 1926

["Rowan Klein" <rowanchan@hotmail.com>]

The Japan Times and Mail, Tuesday 18th May 1926

400 POUNDER DEWA BEATS EXTRA-CHAMP IN WRESTLING BOUT

  Crowd of 7,000 Fans Sees Giant Wrestler Defeat Nishinoumi

   More than 7,000 wrestling fans went crazy yesterday at the Kokugikan 
arena when Giant Dewagatake repeated his favorite trick of crushing an 
opponent by sheer weight, the new victim being Extra-Champion Nishinoumi, 
who ranks first in the Camp. The big wrestler showed unusual skill and 
mental alacrity which enabled him to escape from several dangerous holds of 
his more experienced opponent. Nishinoumi (meaning Western Sea) is a six 
footer himself weighing about 220 pounds and he nearly beat the Young Giant 
more than once, but the latter's enormous weight, 400 pounds, saved him from 
defeat. When the two wrestlers grappled after about two minutes of waiting 
and hesitation, Nishinoumi, quickly placed his right hand over Dewagatake's 
throat and tried to push him out of the ring, but the latter managed to 
withstand the attack, and fell into a clinch which decided Nishinoumi's 
fate.
   Unlike boxing, clinching in Japanese sumo is the most spectacular feat, 
and when Dewagatake has clinched with his opponent, he usually wins. Day 
before Champion Tachihikari clinched, was crushed down and severely injured. 
Yesterday the Extra-Champion also went down before his 23 year old opponent. 
When the popular young wrestler vanquished the veteran wrestler, the fans 
went mad throwing (zabuton) and oranges in all direction although such an 
act is forbidden by police ordinance.
   About 20 foreigners saw Dewa beat Nishinoumi. Several of them were 
curious to know why wrestlers sprinkle salt every time they stand in the 
middle of the ring. It is an act of purification and part of the sumo 
ritual. But is also has the practical effect of disinfecting the ring. The 
practice may be the cause of the fact that no injury sustained in the sumo 
ring has ever resulted in blood poisoning.

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