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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Tuesday, November 18, 2003

Retirement ceremony set for Musashimaru

By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer

Yokozuna Fiamalu Penitani's official retirement from active sumo will come Oct. 2 in Tokyo, when dozens of his contemporaries, friends and supporters step into the ring to take turns snipping off his top knot in a time-honored retirement ritual.

Several thousand fans, supporters and dignitaries are expected to attend the event at the Ryogoku Kokugi-kan following the Aki Basho.

Penitani, a former Wai-'anae High football player who competed under the name of Musashimaru, is Hawai'i's last link to competitive sumo in a line of athletes that has stretched for nearly 40 years since Maui's Jesse Kuhaulua entered the sport in 1964.

Musashimaru, 32, announced his retirement Friday in Fukuoka, Japan, where he dropped out of the Kyushu Basho after a 3-4 start in the 15-day tournament.

A winner of 12 tournaments, he is expected to remain in the sport as a coach and elder in the ruling Japan Sumo Association.

Sumotori in the sport's top two divisions have the option of becoming elders after their retirement if they secure one of the 105 shares of association stock. But as a holder of the sport's top rank of yokozuna, Musashimaru is allowed to be a voting member for five years without buying the stock, which can cost upwards of $1 million. After five years he must either acquire stock or leave the association.

Waimanalo's Chad Rowan, who competed as Akebono, took advantage of the same provision for three years before stepping down this month to join the K-1 fighting circuit.

Reach Ferd Lewis at flewis@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8044.