From: robert@askinc.ask.COM (Robert McMullen)
Newsgroups: rec.sport.pro-wrestling
Subject: A Real NEW US Yokozuna (NOT The WWF's Kokina...)? SUMO
Date: 26 Jan 93 19:37:09 GMT
Organization: ASK Computer Systems, Inc.

Irony or the mysterious forces of the universe in action?  You be the 
judge...(apologies to anyone who already posted this, if so)

On Sunday 1/24, a wrestler named Yokozuna won the WWF's Royal Rumble in 
Sacramento, CA.  I believe he is really from the SF Bay area, like the
other three Samoans currently in the WWF.  In any case, he was never
really a Yokozuna (the Japanese title for grand sumo champion).
^^^^^^
Nor had *any* American even earned the title of Yokozuna.  Ever.  That is, 
until Sunday, 1/24, when an American from Hawaii named Chad Smith (ring name:  
Akebono [I think]) earned the right to be considered for the title by winning 
a tournament in Japan.  The American qualifies for the grand title because he 
won two consecutive tournaments while holding the title of Ozeki (basically
#1 challenger), which is the major prerequisite.

Smith is 6'8" and approximately 468 pounds.  His opponent (whose name slips 
me now, starts with an "S") for the final match of Sunday's tournament was 
around 6'2" and 290.  Smith won impressively over the Japanese favourite with
just two thrusts--one to the face and one to the throat, knocking his opponent
out of the ring. 

According to the San Jose Mercury News (1/24/93), the only thing standing
in Smith's way to the godlike title is the xenophobia of the Japanese
sumo officials.  The media is probably just stirring shit, but they
say that there actually is a chance Smith won't be named Yokozuna for the
same reason another Hawaiian who apparently earned the title back in the
1980s wasn't named--he isn't Japanese.  (The first guy's style was also
in question, since at 576 pounds he simply was unmovable and just kind
of nudged people out of the ring.)  It seems that the fans and sumo hierarchy
alike are uncomfortable with a foreigner holding such a title (before
we get outraged, think how fans may have reacted to Sadaharu Oh coming
over here, playing for the Yankees, and shattering every US home run
record legitimately). 

If Smith is to receive the honour, it will apparently come this week.

And what Smith may have accomplished is MONUMENTAL.  The Mercury News
writer likened it to the the Nippon Ham Fighters (a Japanese pro beseboru 
[baseball] team) winning the U.S./Canada version of the World Series.  
Since I have great respect for Japanese baseball talent, I think Smith's
accomplishment is eve MORE akin to the Japanese knocking off the U.S.
Dream Team in Olympic basketball...that sez a lot.

If anyone is interested in a copy of the (long) Mercury News article,
email me you home or P.O. address and I'll snail-mail you a copy.  There's
no way I'm transcribing it or scanning it as it's probably 2,000 words.

OBTW...I don't know how many r.s.p-w'ers out there are into this form of
wrestling, but the sport did provide us 'rasslin fans with those 
legendary talents John Tenta and Koji Kitao.  What more could we ask
for?  ;-)

Actually, sumo is very exciting and has to be seen live to be believed
since the fans believe there are "storylines" to the tourneys.  I actually
did have the chance to tour a dojo and see some matches when I was in
Japan for a high school basketball tournament in the early '80s.  I would
love now to get a tape copy of Sunday's tournament, so if anyone knows
someone overseas who may have taped it...please email me.  Thanks a mil,

============================>Robert McMullen<============================

    The opinions expressed in this message in no way reflect those of   
   ASK Computer Systems, Inc.  Flames welcome, but highly uncalled for! 

=========================>robert@askinc.ask.com<=========================