Akebono loses $35G
to thief after ring loss

Star-Bulletin news services

NAGOYA, Japan -- Grand champion sumo wrestler Akebono, or Chad Rowan from Hawaii, has had about 4 million yen (just under $35,000) in cash, a bankbook, a personal seal and other belongings stolen from a safe at a Buddhist temple in Aichi Prefecture, central Japan, police said today.

An attendant of Akebono found that the belongings had disappeared at Mantoku Temple in Inazawa, the grand champion and other Azumazeki stable wrestlers were staying while taking part in the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, police said.

The attendant told investigators he left the temple around 2 p.m. yesterday for Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium, where the tournament was held through yesterday, police said.

Police said the attendant told them he returned to the temple around 10 p.m. but did not check the safe until this morning, when he discovered the items were missing.

On the final day of the tournament, Akebono lost in a winner-take-all bout with rival grand champion Takanohana.

Takanohana beats Akebono,
wins 17th tournament title

NAGOYA, Japan (AP) -- Avenging a showdown loss two months ago, Takanohana twisted down fellow yokozuna (grand champion) Akebono Sunday and won the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament with a 13-2 record.

It was the 24-year-old Takanohana's 17th tournament title. In the last tournament, in May, Akebono beat Takanohana in a playoff for his ninth title.

This time, Takanohana grabbed Akebono's belt and toppled him with an arm throw after some midring maneuvering. Akebono, or Chad Rowan from Hawaii, ended at 12-3.

Both had entered the ring at 12-2 after Takanonana suffered his second defeat Saturday, driven out by ozeki (champion) Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani from Hawaii.

"I entered the ring to do my best. That was all," said Takanohana, who received the top prize of 10 million yen ($87,000).

"I couldn't do anything because Takanohana grabbed my belt tightly." Akebono said.

In another final-day match, ozeki Takanonami charged Musashimaru with a leg trick and forced him out, finishing at 9-6. Musashimaru ended at 10-5.

Sekiwake (junior champion) Tosanoumi sidestepped and forced out ozeki Wakanohana, leaving both at 8-7.

No. 1 maegashira (senior wrestler) Takatoriki quickly slapped down No. 12 maegashira Kotoryu, and received his second outstanding performance award of 2 million yen ($17,000) for his 11-4 record, which included a victory over Akebono on the third day. Kotoryu ended at 8-7.

Newly promoted komusubi (junior champion second class) Tochiazuma thrust out No. 8 maegashira Asanowaka and recieved his first 2 million yen technique prize for his 9-6 record, which included a victory over Wakanohana on the third day.

The 2 million yen fighting spirit award went to No. 11 maegashira Tochinonada, who ended at 10-5 after he was sent out from behind by No. 12 maegashira Rikio (9-6) Sunday.

No. 9 maegashira Konishiki, or Salevaa Fuauli Atisanoe from Hawaii, bulldozed out No. 14 maegashira Hamanoshima (9-6) and wound up at 8-7.

Because of winning a majority of his 15 bouts, Konishiki may be promoted to a higher rank before the next tournament Sept. 7-21 in Tokyo.

No. 11 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Mongolian Batbayar Davaa, slapped down No. 3 maegashira Akinoshima (6-9) and finished at 9-6.

No. 15 maegashira Yamato, or American George Kalima, eluded No. 6 maegashira Tochinowaka's driving attempts at the ring's edge and sent him out. Yamato finished at 6-9 and Tochinowaka at 5-10.

In the 26-member juryo division, just below the senior makuuchi division. No. 4-ranked Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, finished at 8-7, losing his final bout to No. 3-ranked Tokitsuumi (5-10) by an arm throw.

No. 12-ranked Wakahayato beat No. 2-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, of makushita, the top junior division, and ended at 6-9. Hoshitango wound up at 2-6.

In makushita, No. 13-ranked Daiki, or American Percy Kipapa, threw down No. 9-ranked Oominato for his second victory against five defeats.

No. 11-ranked Wakaazuma finished at 1-6, losing to No. 25-ranked Masuhayato on Sunday.

Wrestlers in junior divisions have only seven bouts during the 15-day tournament.

Results of main sumo bouts

NAGOYA, Japan (AP) -- Results of main bouts Sunday, final day of the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium:

Winners, Losers

Kushimaumi (juryo) (9-6) Kitakachidoki (7-8)
Rikio (9-6) Tochinonada (10-5)
Konishiki (8-7) Hamanoshima (9-6)
Mitoizumi (8-7) Mainoumi (5-10)
Minatofuji (7-8) Terao (9-6)
Asanosho (7-8) Gojoro (4-11)
Yamato (6-9) Tochinowaka (5-10)
Dejima (8-7) Shikishima (8-7)
Higonoumi (2-13) Kotonishiki (5-10)
Kyokushuzan (9-6) Akinoshima (6-9)
Kotoinazuma (5-10) Asahiyutaka (6-9)
Takatoriki (11-4) Kotoryu (8-7)
Musoyama (9-6) Ganyu (8-7)
Tochiazuma (9-6) Asanowaka (7-8)
Oginishiki (4-11) Kotonowaka (6-9)
Tamakasuga (7-8) Aogiyama (6-9)
Tosanoumi (8-7) Wakanohana (8-7)
Takanonami (9-6) Musashimaru (10-5)
Takanohana (13-2) Akebono (12-3)

Juryo Division

Tokitsuumi (5-10) Kyokutenho (8-7)
Wakahayato (6-9) Hoshitango (makushita) (2-6)

Junior Divisions

Makushita

Masuhayato Wakaazuma (1-6)
Daiki (2-5) Oominato

(Junior division wrestlers have only seven bouts
during the tournament. Records of foreign wrestlers'
opponents were not available.)