Sumo superstar Konishiki will join wrestlers at UCLA event

Champion will speak at USA Open; competitors will face off Saturday in Wooden Center

Scott Schultz

Monday, July 30, 2001

  EDWARD LIN/Daily Bruin Senior Staff Santa Monica College English student Vladimir Kovacevic (right) tangles with UCLA astrophysics graduate student Jason Maron.

Legendary Sumo Champion Konishiki will appear at the Wooden Center Saturday Aug. 4, when UCLA hosts the USA Sumo Open.

“Konishiki is the Michael Jordan of Japan, and we are honored to have him here,” said California Sumo Association president Andrew Freund.

Among the competing sumos are two-time Amateur Sumo World Champion Svetoslav Bienev and Japanese university champions.

The 600-pound Konishiki is the first non-Japanese to become “ozeki” (champion.) He will be speaking at the event, but not competing.

The tournament begins at 1 p.m. and is open to the general public. Admission for students is $5 with ID.