For Fujio Kariya, NHK's executive commentator (the broadcaster's top news commentator), the most impressive bout in his 31-year career as an NHK sumo announcer took place at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in 1988.
That was when yokozuna Onokuni upset fellow yokozuna Chiyonofuji on the final day, snapping Chiyonofuji's winning streak at 53. Chiyonofuji had already clinched the Emperor's Cup the previous day, and people's interest was focused on the great yokozuna's bid for the all-time mark of 69 consecutive victories, which Futabayama achieved from January 1936 to January 1939.
Chiynofuji would've had a chance to tie or break the record during the next year's New Year Basho if he had beaten Onokuni, who had topped Chiyonofuji in seven out of their previous 26 meetings.
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