European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - June 20, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse Sumo powerhouse from Hawaii today s by Clyde Haberman new York times in the rarefied upper echelons of japanese sumo wrestling foreigners have been about a Welcome As visigoths were at the Gates of absorbed a punishing blow recently when a 526-Pound Man Mountain from Hawaii who fights under the professional name of Kon Ishiki. Was promoted to 1ho rank of Ozeki. Or Champion. It is the second highest level n me fiercely guarded sumo pantheon Ovet the 300 years that professional wrestlers have thundered and grunted across the Clay ring no foreigner had Ever climbed so High. So it was big news in Tokyo when Kon Ishiki in Loose Black Robes Knelt on a Straw mat before senior officials of the Japan sumo association bowed As Tow As his layers of flesh would allow and accepted his promotion with requited humility. I Wisi Delrivo to practice harder in order not 1o disgrace the title of he said in japanese. Later the 23-year-old wrestler allowed himself to smile broadly and to Tell a close Friend triumphantly in English i did he acknowledged that he would like to step up one Day to the top rank of Yoko Una or grand Champion. To 8 a Aba of How Jih cull Kon Ishiki s accomplishment is there have been Only 62 Ozeki among the Many thousands of sumo wrestlers since emperor Hirohito ascended to the throne in 1926 the Lough Road that lies ahead is Spoll Ighland by the fact that there have been Only 61 Yoko Una Over the last three centuries. Kon Ishiki has received Many words of Praise including congratulations from Mike Mansfield the ambassador to Japan. Sumo s traditions of hard work fair play and respect or ability have been Well served Mansfield said. We Are proud of ins american first and Tooh Forward to Many More " in the Long his Orv of sumo which is deeply rooted in shinto the National religion Only two men look less Lime than Kon Ishiki to reach Ozeki the Young Man whose real name is Sals Vaa Atisanoe required Only 30 tournaments spread across the five years since he left his Samoa born parents in Hawaii. His Basic style is to use his immense Girth to slap and push opponents out of the sumo ring s Circle. In sumo where matches often last Little More than a Wink Agi tily and technique count As much As if not More than brute Force. It is no uncommon for Kon Ishiki. The heaviest Wres Lei in the sport s history to lose to More dexterous men who look relatively svelte at a Mere 400 pounds. Still he has developed the necessary combination of what Shin i Lai. Or spirit skill and Power. In a recent tournament he dispatched two Yoko Una with mile trouble his new rank is based on solid performances in a fun Mountry wrestler called Kong my. The last three tournaments which yielded 8 total of 33 victories in 45 matches. In a sport often described As Feudal and xenophobic non japanese Nave become increasingly conspicuous among the roughly 800 professional competitors. There Are now 12 in All clustered mostly in the Tower divisions including an Argentine who combined the japanese word of Star with a dance step to fight under the name of Hoshi Lango. The acceptance of foreigners quickened with the Success of another hawaiian Jesse Kuhaulua who is Kon Ishiki s Mentor and who fought for 20 years under the name of Tak Miyama until he retired in 1984. Tak Miyama is the Only foreigner Ever to win a tournament in the top a Furuc ii division. Although closely related tournament victories and individual rankings Are not automatically linked. Take Lama never reached higher than sek Wake. The no. 3 tank while Konishi has yet to finish first in a tournament. Kiyotaka Kas Ugano. The sumo association s executive director said he was convinced that Kon Shiki had a Good Chance of becoming a Yoko Una. Still Many traditionalists would consider that close to sacrilege. Acobs 1 Tennis return pollute 11 warlike City state 12 bridal Desti nations 14 computer liquor it food scrip 17 Western monsters 19 tint20 avails oneself of 22 Essen Wal Clefs like it hot 24 sen Birds 20 Apple type28 Cauli Flower Follower 30 circus act Safe so steamed puddings 39 head drink 40 recipe amount 42 school affair.43 loss 44 affordable 46 exodus hero47 one Type of year49 scoundrel is actin company u old cold spell63 computer key select Down it whale. 1 Pew and feature far 13 taste a Between Nap 2cteas 18 actor whte awes 3 trajectory 21 show4 for men contempt Only 23 erect5 iodide 25 Juan or of pedro27 actor Beatty South american marmoset 29 writer 7 pub orders 8 Theair 9 cheesy chips Mordecal 81 to uie rear in cart quit 33 Flavo Rull to i a i to 10 emotional 84 actor s Shock signal solution time 22 aim. Nufi Gran Ramirai a Gye try a s a wer 9/10 30 disorderly uproar 37 search for food essay cheese 41 louvre locale 44 cod Forone 411 gall48 director s cry go 0-20 the far Side we woj to my seed. Bui to Lold you than Wall he putting your Llo Deflum Page 18 the stars and stripes saturday june 20,1987
