Musashimaru wins
New Year tournament with
victory on final day

TOKYO (AP) - Hawaii-born ozeki (champion) Musashimaru defeated lower-ranked Aogiyama Sunday to claim the title in the 15-day New Year Grand Sumo Tournament with a 12-3 record.

It was the 26-year-old Musashimaru's third tournament championship. He won his first title in July 1994 with a 15-0 record and his second one in November 1996 with 11-4.

Wrestling before more than 11,000 spectators, Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, sent No. 5 maegashira (senior wrestler) Aogiyama crashing down after a flurry of aggressive hand thrusts. Aogiyama wound up the tournament with a 6-9 record.

''I won the tournament because of my stable master's advise - wrestle with confidence,'' said Musashimaru, who received the top prize of 10 million yen (dlrs 77,000).

In the day's final bout, Hawaii-born yokozuna (grand champion) Akebono, or Chad Rowan, grabbed ozeki Takanonami's belt and forced him out. Both wrestlers ended at 10-5.

Yokozuna Takanohana dropped out of the tournament on the 14th day because of a severe cold, fever and a liver ailment. He ended at 8-5 and two absences.

Ozeki Wakanohana dodged sekiwake (junior champion) Musoyama's initial pushing attempts and sent him out from behind for his 10th victory against five defeats.

Musoyama received his fourth fighting spirit award of 2 million yen (dlrs 15,000) for his 10-5 record, including victories over two ozeki - Wakanohana and Takanonami during the tournament.

Sekiwake Tochiazuma slapped down No. 5 maegashira Oginishiki and received his first outstanding performance prize of 2 million yen for his 11-4 record, including triumphs over the two yokozuna. Oginishiki ended at 5-10.

Komusubi (junior champion second class) Kotonishiki toppled No. 6 maegashira Minatofuji with an arm throw. Kotonishiki received his seventh technical prize of 2 million yen for his 10-5 record. Minatofuji ended at 6-9.

In other bouts, No. 4 maegashira Kyokushuzan, or Batbayar Davaa from Mongolia, wound up the tournament at 5-10, losing his final bout to komusubi Kaio (8-7).

Kyokushuzan could face demotion in the next tournament in Osaka, western Japan, March 8-22 because of his losing record.

No. 12 maegashira Yamato, or American George Kalima, ended at 7-8 after being driven out by No. 3 maegashira Kotonowaka (7-8). Yamato could also be demoted in the next tournament.

No. 12 maegashira Kyokutenho, or Mongolian Tsevegnyam Nyamjav, threw down No. 14 maegashira Mainoumi. Both wrestlers ended at 9-6.

In makushita, the top junior division, No. 22-ranked Hoshitango, or Argentine Imach Marcelo Salomon, ended at 5-2 after being pushed out by No. 27-ranked Tamanohana.

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

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