In the hill village of Shirakawa, Hikosaku Matsumoto, 62, is called "Hyakkan Jii San"100-kan oldsterbecause of his boast that he can lift 100 kan (825 Ibs.). His undisciplined white beard and scholarly bald dome make him look more like an elderly monk than an athlete. His nickname delights him so much that, after the manner of Tony Galento's boxing trunks, he has "Hyakkan" written in Chinese characters down the front of his athletic blouse.
Last summer Matsumoto again proved he was worthy of his nickname by climbing 12,395-ft. Mt. Fuji carrying a heavy stone...
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