SOS - Shinjinrui on Sumo   Chris Gould Wrapping up his look at increasing the popularity of sumo, Chris Gould caps a series the NSK would do well to refer to. Sumo Souvenirs   Mark Buckton Souvenirs are a part of every sport and sumo is no different - or is it? A look at collectibles and the downright trashy, the bona fide versus the unproven. Rikishi of Old   Joe Kuroda Joe Kuroda's latest look at times past focuses on former makunouchi man Dewagatake. Eric Evaluates   Eric Blair Eric takes a no-nonsense look at the claims of fixed bouts in the Japanese media. Rikishi Diary   Mark Kent Mark Kent - English pro-wrestler and amateur heavyweight sumotori - takes us through the first month or so of his training and preparation for the various European events lined up in in 2007. Heya Peek   Chris Gould SFM's Chris Gould was in Japan for the Hatsu Basho and popped along to the new Shikoroyama Beya to give SFM an online exclusive peek into sumo's newest heya. SFM Interview   Mark Buckton Mark interviews Mark - Buckton on Kent that is as Mark Kent, the UK's only active heavyweight amateur answers a few questions on his own recent entry into the sport. Photo Bonanzas   Sumo Forum stepped in to take the weight off the shoulders of SFM as far as Hatsu went so we could sit back, relax, enjoy the sumo and take a few more select pics you won't see anywhere else. Hatsu Basho Summary Lon Howard Lon wraps the Hatsu Basho and chucks in a few bits on the rush of henka that threatens to sully the good name of at least one foreign ozeki. Sumo Menko   Ryan Laughton Sumo cards of old brought to life by expert collector Ryan Laughton. None of your BBM here. Haru Ones To Watch Carolyn Todd Carolyn ponders and puts fingers to keys on the ones to watch come March and the Haru Basho. Kimarite Focus   Mikko Mattila Mikko's latest look at sumo's kimarite offers unequalled analysis and in depth explanations. Amateur Angles   Howard Gilbert Howard looks at the 'sumo factory' of lore - Nichidai. Kokugi Konnections Todd Lambert Click on Todd's bimonthly focus on three of the best the WWW has to offer. Fan Debate Facilitator - Carolyn Todd Moti Dichne comes back for more and takes on Bradley Sutton on the subject of 'Modernize the heya - yea or nay?' SFM Cartoons Benny Loh & Stephen Thompson In this issue's cartoon bonanza, sit back and sample Benny's 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? Ryan Laughton - sumo fan and menko expert reveals all. 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.

“tradition to go down the drain”, it will lessen the motivation to gambarize. You may get a few more recruits, but I’m not sure those are the kind of recruits we wish upon sumo - kids  who won’t be willing to sustain hardships so they can do what they really like. Entering sumo is choosing a way of life. It’s just like deciding to join a monastery. No one forces you - you do it because you feel you are dedicated to a cause and are willing to give up your personal comfort for a goal, and in our case, the goal is to climb the ladder of sumo. Some even settle for much less - they just want to be a part of this world, regardless of their rank. Change that, and sumo won’t last long. BS: I completely agree that entering sumo is like joining a monastery and, because of that, I think many

potential superstars never end up choosing sumo.  I’m talking about guys that have natural talent.  Sure, proper training is still necessary, but I don’t think having to give another grown man a sponge bath, and living in fear of fighting through pain or being beaten is what really makes someone a better rikishi. Don’t get me wrong, I really doubt we will see the changes I have suggested, but if it did happen, I strongly believe that we would see more future superstars joining sumo from a younger age. MD: Then we disagree… I say simply - leave the basics and fundamentals alone. The oyakata have proven in the past that they can change and bend rules as the changing times dictate. Modern training methods were unheard of 30 years ago, but today many heya have in-house gyms, or send their

rikishi to outside gyms. The point of hazing and humiliation is to make the rikishi yearn to get out of that situation. It’s worked for hundreds of years, so why change it?  This is a martial art-combat sport. Sure you get more wear and tear than in baseball or soccer. The whole point of this sport is that it is an un-sport. Take the traditions away, and you have wrestling in diapers. I doubt we would see anyone of any caliber joining a heya that fundamentally changed it’s “ways”. It would only bring lazy bums who would join for the free bed and board. Happily, it won’t be put the test in the near future, so our debate will remain under the realm of “we shall see”… Home