Mikami vs. Kanazawa 1958

[Unsu 777]

Perhaps the greatest match in the history of the JKA was when Mikami and Kanazawa met up in 1958 at the All-Japan Championships. These guys knew so much about each other, having trained together and demonstrated together for so long before this match. In fact, they were roommates the day of the match.

Mikami and Kanazawa faced each other,Kanazawa got the first waza-ari with I believe a mae-geri. Then Mikami got one with an oi zuki. Then time ran out. Then it went into overtime. But nothing happened. Then another overtime was called. Still nothing. Nakayama who was head referee implored for action. Still nothing. Yet another overtime was called. Again, lots of feinting but nothing. After the 4th overtime, the match was declared a draw. Both men were awarded 1st place awards and were declared co-champions. Mikami calls it the hardest fight of his life. Said they were both totally exhausted, but neither would give up. Both had family and friends in the audience and did not want to disappoint. I think the corner judges were Nishiyama, Ito, Obata and Miyata. This was on film but nobody seems to know where it can be found today.