Sumo Souvenirs   Mark Buckton Second of a two parter on sumo souvenirs - some hints on avoiding the fluff. Konishiki Chris Gould Takamiyama's 60s / 70s successes notwithstanding Konishiki was sumo's first full-on mover and shaker from lands afar leaving Chris G to take an in-depth look at the ripples the big guy left behind when exiting the sumo pool. Rikishi of Old Joe Kuroda Joe Kuroda's looks back at the life and times of former yokozuna Shiranui. Eric Evaluates Eric Blair Eric IDs the true winners of the henkafest that was the Haru Basho senshuraku. Rikishi Diary Mark Kent Mark Kent - English pro-wrestler and amateur heavyweight sumotori - takes his training a step further on his road to European and World sumo glory. Heya Peek Mark Buckton Oitekaze Beya just to the north of Tokyo and not far from the abode of SFM's Ed-i-C falls under the microscope. SFM Interview Carolyn Todd Carolyn interviews Riho Rannikmaa during his recent trip to Osaka - head of all things sumo in Estonia, friend and mentor of Baruto, this is a man with something to announce. Sumo à la LA Alisdair Davey SFM's man in the shadows reports on his recent jaunt in LA, as guest of the Californian Sumo Association and SFM reporter at large. Photo Bonanzas Hot on the heels of the recent Ise bonanza - Haru up close and very very personal - some of our best pics to date. Haru Basho Summary Lon Howard Lon wraps the Haru Basho and chucks in a few bits on the henka issues the top dogs are suffering from at present. Sumo Menko Ryan Laughton Sumo cards of old brought to life once again by expert collector Ryan Laughton. None of your BBM offerings here - Pt II of III. Natsu Ones To Watch Carolyn Todd Carolyn ponders the ones to watch come May and Natsu when sumo comes home to Tokyo. Kimarite Focus Mikko Mattila Mikko's latest look at sumo's kimarite offers unequalled analysis and in depth explanations. Amateur Angles Howard Gilbert On your marks, get set, go - Howard Gilbert walks us through the months ahead on the amateur calendar. Kokugi Konnections Todd Lambert Click on Todd's latest selection of the best sumo sites the WWW has to offer. Fan Debate Facilitator - Carolyn Todd Should it or shouldn't it? Honbasho go on the overseas road that is. See what SFM's Chris Gould and James Hawkins have to say. SFM Cartoons Benny Loh & Stephen Thompson In this issue's cartoon bonanza, sit back and sample ST's latest artistic offerings. Sumo Odds & Ends SFM's interactive elements - as always includes Henka Sightings, Elevator Rikishi and Eternal Banzuke! Let's Hear From You What was it that made you a sumo fan - A. S. - the face in the crowd reveals almost all - to see everything you'll have to close your eyes. Readers' Letters See what our readers had to say since we last hit your screens. Sumo Quiz The Quizmaster Answer the Qs and win yourself a genuine banzuke.

2007 USA Sumo Open by Alisdair Davey

provided the USA’s only medal on the men’s side, winning the silver.  Gold was taken by Zoljargal Ulziisaikhan (MON) and the bronze went to Fausto Gobbi of Italy.  The middleweights also included Bradley Sutton of MTV's True Life: I'm A Sumo Wrestler. Men’s heavyweight saw Byamba beat all comers.  The pick of his bouts was probably against Wayne Viera (formerly Kamakiiwa) of the USA.  Both are former professionals and their bout would not have been out of place on the clay dohyo.  In the final between Byamba and Petar Stoyanov, the audience was looking forward to a competitive tachiai, where Stoyanov had excelled in earlier bouts, but it

In both professional and amateur sumo, Mongolians currently rule the roost. In Japan it is yokozuna Asashoryu and in amateur sumo, it is the current world champion, Byambajav Ulambayar (formerly Daishochi).  Organized by the California Sumo Association (http://www. usasumo.com), the 7th Annual U.S. Sumo Open took place in Los Angeles, California, USA on Saturday, April 7th 2007; and once again, Ulambayar (“Byamba”) proved too strong for the competition, winning both the men’s heavyweight and openweight divisions. The US Sumo Open has grown in stature over the years, and though the sumo may be amateur, the sponsorship of companies such as TV Japan, Sapporo and Hakutsuru Sake, as well as the support of the Consulate General of Japan and the Los Angeles Mongolian Association testify to its place in the world of amateur sumo competitions. Staged at the Los Angeles Sports Arena before an enthusiastic crowd, this year’s event was again a truly multinational affair that featured rikishi from many countries, including the USA, Mongolia, Bulgaria, Norway and Italy. Amateur sumo rules differ from the professional in several respects, including the use of weight classes.  Wrestlers are allowed to wear clothing underneath their mawashi and

each bout is started on the referee’s command.  Very importantly, amateur sumo is a sport in which women compete and excel.      In men’s lightweight, Munkhjargal Ulziibayar (MON) provided what might be considered an upset by defeating Erdenebileg Alagdaa (MON) to win the gold.  This was Alagdaa’s first defeat in 2 years of competing at the US Sumo Open.  Valentin Gogov (BUL) won the bronze.

World and 2007 USA Sumo Open Champion, Byambajav Ulambayar of Mongolia.

Men’s middleweight saw some of the day’s best competition with several competitors demonstrating both strength and technique.  Here, Dan Kalbfleisch

turned into an anticlimax when Byamba won by henka and hatakikomi.  Next