Sumo Fan Magazine

Sumo's Foreign Invasion Mark Buckton Sumo - still Japanese or truly International? Rikishi of Old Joe Kuroda A look at a rikishi of yesteryear with Umegatani II our man for June Heya Peek John Gunning John attends asageiko at Takasago-beya to give us the first of his bimonthly looks at sumo's stables Photo Bonanza Kurt Easterwood & Quinlan Faris Kurt & Quin treat us to some of the best sumo pics around - and seen nowhere else May Basho Review Lon Howard & John Gunning Lon gives us his Natsu Basho summary and his take on upset of the tournament while John chips in with his 'gem' of the basho Lower Division Rikishi Mikko Mattila Mikko provides his round up of the boys in Makushita and below at the Natsu Basho July Basho Forecast Pierre Wohlleben & Mark Buckton Pierre predicts the Nagoya Basho banzuke while Mark previews the ones to watch next time out Sumo 101 Barbara Ann Klein Rhyme and reason behind the pre-tachiai rituals that mystified us all as beginners Kimarite Focus Mikko Mattila Mikko walks us through A, B & C Minusha John McTague John's unique view of news from outside the dohyo Las Vegas Jungyo Teaser Ngozi Robinson Months away but like kids at Christmas we are still too excited not to mention it Online Gaming Moti Dichne Hear from the founder of Guess the Banzuke (GTB) on exactly what makes it tick Le Monde Du Sumo The original team at MDS tells us how it all started Sumo Mouse Todd Lambert Heya Links Galore and a focus on 3 Fan Debate JR & EB square off: Right or Left - which should Asashoryu use when receiving kensho? Let's Hear from You What was it that made you a sumo fan? Ngozi Asks Question of the month - What is Sumo? Sumo Quiz The Quizmaster Answer the Qs and win yourself next basho's banzuke	in Fukuoka Prefecture although Umegatani I did not have “yokozuna” designation above his name on the banzuke in those days as the custom began only with Nishinoumi, the 16th yokozuna. As Hitachiyama and Umegatani II displayed increasingly exciting and competitive sumo, more and more fans attended their competitions. Umegatani was equal to Hitachiyama's techniques and power, beating him at the May 1901 and January 1902 bashos, then, at	the May 1902 basho, they met as east and west ozekis respectively with a no loss record. This bout caused quite a sensation and was eagerly anticipated throughout Japan. As expected, it became a legendary bout of both offensive and defensive skills, and its story has been told and re-told by generations of sumo fans. The bout was eventually won by Hitachiyama. The legacies of both men, however, were firmly established by this time, as was the inception of Ozumo's unprecedented popularity built by the Hitachiyama and	Umenotani/Umegatani rivalry. Post basho, Hitachiyama was recommended for yokozuna promotion and it was Hitachiyama himself who insisted that Umegatani be promoted to sumo’s ultimate rank as well. The Kyokai, realizing both ozekis’ popularity and ability, concurred and askedthe House of Yoshida Tsukasa to grant them the promotion simultaneously. When confirmed, both were elevated to the rank of yokozuna in June 1902 - only the second time two rikishi were promoted Next Home