Posted at 7:50 a.m., Sunday, June 3, 2007
Musashimaru to hold autograph session today
Advertiser Staff
Former sumo grand champion Musashimaru will sign autographs today at Don Quijote's Kaheka store.The session is free and will be held from 11 a.m. to noon at the store on 801 Kaheka St.
Musashimaru, or Fiamalu Penitani, competed for 18 years, eventually becoming the 67th yokozuna (grand champion) in Japan's centuries-old sport.
The former Wai'anae High football player retired from sumo in 2004, ending a 40-year line of more then two dozen sumotori from Hawai'i to compete in Japan's national sport.
Musashimaru is here to promote the two-day (June 9-10) exhibition at Blaisdell Arena, which marks the sport's first appearance here in 14 years. The event will feature 40 leading sumotori, including newly promoted yokozuna Hakuho.
The June 9 matches will begin at 4:30 p.m. and June 10 competition at 12:30 p.m. Tickets are available at the Blaisdell Center Box Office, Ticketmaster and Times Supermarkets.
Promoters said fans attending either session will receive a free "gift" bag comprised of items supplied by the event's sponsors.
