Sumo Fan Magazine

Ozumo’s own permanent home, the first Kokugikan, in June 1909, a truly landmark event in Ozumo's history.
Umegatani's staying power is nothing short of remarkable as he held yokozuna rank for 24 bashos over 13 years. Though during his makuuchi days, his record against his rival Hitachiyama was somewhat lacking, with 3 wins, 7 losses and 5 draws, Umegatani could not be beaten with any regularity by sanyaku level rikishi during these years but after the opening of the Kokugikan, he suffered one illness after another and his sumo led to quite a few draws on his record sheet.
After the June 1915 basho, at the age of 37, he decided to retire and to assume his adopted father's toshiyori

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 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	Ozumo’s own permanent home, the first Kokugikan, in June 1909, a truly landmark event in Ozumo's history. Umegatani's staying power is nothing short of remarkable as he held yokozuna rank for 24 bashos over 13 years. Though during his makuuchi days, his record against his rival Hitachiyama was somewhat lacking, with 3 wins, 7 losses and 5 draws, Umegatani could not be beaten with any regularity by sanyaku level rikishi during these years but after the opening of the Kokugikan, he suffered one illness after another and his sumo led to quite a few draws on his record sheet. After the June 1915 basho, at the age of 37, he decided to retire and to assume his adopted father's toshiyori	myoseki of Ikazuchi. That said, retiring was easier said than done, as, due to the large number of top ranked rikishi of the era who wanted to assume tachimochi or tsuyuharai, i.e., yokozuna attendants’ roles for his final dohyo-iri, Umegatani's retirement sumo event was held over three days. Later, as a Kyokai member Umegatani worked as a dohyo judge and became a Kyokai executive. He died while he was still working for the Kyokai during a jungyo tour. Unfortunately the former yokozuna was never able to develop a promising rikishi from his own heya and Ikazuchi-beya folded with his passing. Home