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.

Kokugi Connections by Todd Lambert

in playoff matches. Follow this young man's career through the eyes of a proud parent on Marvin Senior's blog. Arashio Beya (http://www.arashio.net/) This is the home base of soon to be makushita returnee Sokokurai, an up-and-comer from Inner Mongolia. Managed by former komusubi Oyutaka, it's a small stable founded just four years ago but they have big hopes for their number one deshi. Sokokurai has been featured in the "Makushita and Under Rikishi To Watch" section of the Kyokai web page:  http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/ozumo_ joho_kyoku/yomu/005/018.html.  A knowledgeable veteran sumo observer calls this quite an achievement since roughly 90% of those featured attain sekitori status. The homepage itself is simple enough, with a brief history, latest news, recruiting, and contents sections running down the left side (in white boxes). The contents section is divided further into recent events, rikishi and gyoji, supporters' group, and stable introduction. The right side of the main page has daily photos, comments, and contact information sections (in blue boxes). The various sub pages contain a wealth of information, photos, and links. If necessary, avail yourself of the many online language resources and enjoy! Home

Each issue of SFM, Todd Lambert – our man online – will bring you a review of some sumo related sites to be found on the World Wide Web. Enjoy.

Sumo Pages (http://www.geocities.jp/sumo pages/sumolinks/e.html) This is the index to all that is sumo on the World Wide Web – an English and Japanese list of nearly 300 sumo homepages!  In addition, well over a hundred amateur sumo pages are listed in both languages, as are 108 BBS pages. Nothing is left out! Here you’ll find the official governing body of ozumo, stables, newspapers and magazines, fan pages, games...they've got it all. Whether you want to read about sumo, chat about sumo, become a sumo gamer, research the sport, or simply disappear into the cyber-sumo community, this is the place to do it. Dive in, and be sure to come up for air once in a while.

Marvin's World (http://blog.stella- web.jp/blog/marvin/)       Marvin Dangerfield is a radio DJ, and the father of newly promoted makushita rikishi Daishoyu (Marvin Lee Sano Junior). As seen in this year’s April and June issues of SFM, Daishoyu is a promising half-American, Oitekaze-beya rikishi who has been rocketing up the ranks. Joining ozumo at just 19 years of age in 2006, Marvin Jr. will be ranked at makushita upon reaching his first full year in the pro ranks. This, even after withdrawing from the Nagoya tournament due to injury. He fell 60 ranks, but was still able to make sumo's third highest division in only a year after graduating from amasumo powerhouse Saitama Sakae High School. Although in sumo for such a short time, he has already challenged for division championships twice, losing both the jonidan and sandanme yusho