The Ebitendo team members have a quick turnaround of hearts after Hanazono qualifies for the semifinals, unprecedented for the school. He’s facing the fearsome giant Yaegashii of the Yokohama Martial Arts College, who’s 2 m and 180 kg (about 6’7” and 396 lb), twice his size. Hanazono finds his opponent much stronger physically, and follows the Inokumas’ advice to rely on his hard-earned techniques and timing, which allows him to beat the giant. However, before the finals, he’s experiencing great stage fright like Fujiko used to get, looking like “a gorilla with a bellyache,” as the stakes are bigger for him with Fujiko on the line. Matsuda goes to fetch Fujiko, but can’t find her at her apartment. The train on which Fujiko is on experiences a delay, and she gets off to run to the stadium just as the finals match begins. Saikai’s University’s Inagaki, the defending champ, is favored to win, and they overlook the opponent and can’t even get the name right (“Hanazawa,” “Hanaoka,” “Hanayama,” “Hanajima”). Hanazono is ahead initially, but Inagaki gets the upper hand later, as Fujiko hides behind the Saikai team unable to watch up-close. As the clock winds down, Fujiko yells encouragement which Hanazono hears, but he’s only able to throw Inagaki for a yuko, not an ippon, and loses the match. Afterwards, as he cries on the roof of the stadium, Fujiko hugs him and tells him to her he’s the “world’s greatest champion.” (Source: Wikipedia)

Aired on: 5/31/1992