[sumo] Chinese Jungyo newspaper article

["J S" <jejima@hotmail.com>]

There is a huge picture on the back page of today's South China Morning Post 
(the main English language newspaper for Hong Kong) of rikishi on the Great 
Wall of China (photo courtesy of AFP).

The text from 'Kyodo' reads as follows:-

Meeting of giants

Japanese sumo wrestlers, who will be staging exhibition bouts in Beijing and 
Shanghai, take in the sights during a visit to the Great Wall.

Japan Sumo Association chairman Kitanoumi expressed hope that the tour - 
marking 30 years of an air link between China and Japan - would strengthen 
ties between the two nations.

"It is a great pleasure to be here to stage this sumo event in China.  I 
will be happy to contribute to building bonds of friendship between Japan 
and China," said Kitanoumi, who was accompanied by yokozuna Asashoryu and 
ozeki Chiyotaikai at a news conference.

A sumo exhibition was held in South Korea in Seoul and Pusan in February, 
but this is the first event of its kind to be held in China since 1973 - one 
year after the two countries resumed diplomatic relations.

About 120 wrestlers and officials are taking part in exhibition bouts to be 
held in Beijing today and tomorrow and in Shanghai next Wednesday and 
Thursday to promote the ancient Japanese sport.

Ozeki Kaio, who is reportedly suffering from bronchial asthma, ozeki 
Tochiazuma, who injured his shoulder at the summer meet, are not taking part 
in the tour which is expected to draw large crowds.

Cheers,

Jejima

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[EndPost by "J S" <jejima@hotmail.com>]