SOS - Shinjinrui on Sumo Chris Gould Chris sinks his teeth deeper into how sumo can go about pulling in the younger fans in part two of a three-part series. Azumazeki up close and personal Steven Pascal-Joiner / William Titus A wiz with a pen and a wiz with a lens get together with SFM to share their time with Azumazeki Oyakata - Takamiyama as was - with the wider sumo following world. Rikishi of Old Joe Kuroda Joe Kuroda takes a detailed look at the life and times of a former yokozuna forgotten by many - Maedayama. Eric Evaluates Eric Blair Eric calls the musubi-no-ichiban kimarite call on nakabi in Kyushu as perhaps only he could. Heya Peek Jeff Kennel First time heya visitor Jeff Kennel wrote about, photographed and even made a video of his time spent at Arashio Beya prior to the Kyushu Basho. All to be found within. SFM Interview Mark Buckton Mark interviews Russian up and comer Wakanoho of Magaki Beya. Photo Bonanzas See behind the scenes at the Kyushu Basho, morning training in Arashio Beya through the eyes of an artist and exactly what the Azumazeki lads had to eat halfway though the July Nagoya Basho. All originals, all seen here and nowhere else, and all for you. Kyushu Basho Summary Lon Howard Lon wraps the Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka and throws in some henka sighting results for good measure. Lower Division Rikishi Mikko Mattila The lower divisions, their members and results get the once over thanks to Mikko's eyeing of life down below the salaried ranks. Hatsu Ones To Watch Carolyn Todd Carolyn ponders and puts fingers to keys on the ones to watch come January and the Hatsu Basho. Kimarite Focus Mikko Mattila Mikko's latest clarification of a handful of sumo's kimarite offers unequalled analysis and in depth explanations. Amateur Angles Howard Gilbert Howard looks at makushita tsukedashi and what it means in real terms. Kokugi Konnections Todd Lambert Click on Todd's bimonthly focus on three of the best sumo sites online. Fan Debate Facilitators - Lon Howard / Carolyn Todd Two SFMers talk over the yokozuna benefiting from weak opposition - or not as the case may be. SFM Cartoons Benny Loh & Stephen Thompson In this issue's cartoon bonanza, sit back and sample Stephen's artistic offerings. Sumo Odds ’n’ Ends SFM's interactive elements including Henka Sightings, Elevator Rikishi and Eternal Banzuke! Lets Hear From You What was it that made you a sumo fan? Starting with issue #10, the SFM staff will reveal a little of their own routes into sumo fandom - starting with Benny Loh. 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 next basho’s banzuke.

Asashoryu but they have both been beset with injuries since attaining the ozeki rank and so have not been able to perform up to their abilities.  Hakuho seems destined to be the best ozeki among the current five, but is he yet mentally tough enough to be Asashoryu’s rival for supremacy?  And so due to the advancing age and declining health of the three veteran ozeki, along with their ever-increasing stockpile of chronic injuries, they are in no position to mount any material threat to a strong yokozuna.  The two new ozeki had a good run-up to the rank, but since getting there, have had their own injuries blocking their advance.  The result is that Asashoryu, who admittedly is the strongest and most skillful active rikishi, has been able to pile up yusho after yusho with no genuine challengers.  As I said before, it is not Asashoryu’s fault that he is better than everyone else, but the decline and weakness of those around him is apparent. LH: I believe it’s obvious to anyone that Taiho, Chiyonofuji and Takanohana had a far superior group of yusho challengers than any of the other men under discussion, so I’ll unabashedly continue to pick on Kitanoumi, as he clearly faced the weakest opposition of the four dominant yokozuna we’re comparing Asashoryu to.

Let’s see how much Kitanoumi was challenged by the ozeki he faced during the first 24 basho of his heyday, compared to the challenge presented by the three current veteran ozeki to Asashoryu during his first 24 basho.  In this, I think most agree that an ozeki must win at least 11 bouts to present a reasonable yusho challenge.   In these 24 basho, Kitanoumi faced five ozeki:  Takanohana, Mienoumi, Asahikuni, Kaiketsu, and Wakamisugi, who was yokozuna Wakanohana II during the final year of this phase.  These five rikishi collectively posted 11 wins or more in only 14 basho while ranked at ozeki or above.   Compare this with the 17 basho at 11 or more wins posted by Chiyotaikai, Kaio, Tochiazuma and Hakuho at the ozeki rank so far during Asashoryu’s reign.  Yes, it’s true that the three current veterans have spent much time off the dohyo during Asashoryu’s heyday, but it’s also true that when they were there, they have been more competitive than the ozeki faced by Kitanoumi. So in comparing Kitanoumi’s challengers with Asashoryu’s, it does all come down to Wajima, the palpable X factor in this discussion.  During these 24 basho, he ‘took’ six yusho from Kitanoumi – two being

a little iffy because Kita finished three wins behind Wajima in those two basho.  Could he have taken more than six from Asashoryu?  Of course, no one knows and no one can know, but comparing the challenges both Kitanoumi and Asashoryu faced from their respective ozeki, it’s illogical to say that he could have taken more yusho from Asashoryu than he was able to take from Kitanoumi.  The evidence here points the opposite way. In fact, during Asashoryu’s 24 basho reign, all of the yusho not won by him were won by an ozeki, while during Kitanoumi’s first 24 basho, four of the basho not won by him were won by neither Wajima nor by any ozeki, and two of those four were won by a hiramaku rikishi.  What does that say about the strength of the ozeki faced by both of those yokozuna? This evidence strongly suggests that Asashoryu would have performed at least as well as Kitanoumi did against both Wajima AND the ozeki of that era; and so if it’s asserted that Asashoryu’s dominance is due to weak opposition, then you would have to say the same about Kitanoumi at the beginning of his heyday – and I don’t recall anyone saying that.  Finally, thanks to Howard for an interesting and thoughtful exchange. Home