Sumo Souvenirs   Mark Buckton Second of a two parter on sumo souvenirs - some hints on avoiding the fluff. Konishiki Chris Gould Takamiyama's 60s / 70s successes notwithstanding Konishiki was sumo's first full-on mover and shaker from lands afar leaving Chris G to take an in-depth look at the ripples the big guy left behind when exiting the sumo pool. Rikishi of Old Joe Kuroda Joe Kuroda's looks back at the life and times of former yokozuna Shiranui. Eric Evaluates Eric Blair Eric IDs the true winners of the henkafest that was the Haru Basho senshuraku. Rikishi Diary Mark Kent Mark Kent - English pro-wrestler and amateur heavyweight sumotori - takes his training a step further on his road to European and World sumo glory. Heya Peek Mark Buckton Oitekaze Beya just to the north of Tokyo and not far from the abode of SFM's Ed-i-C falls under the microscope. SFM Interview Carolyn Todd Carolyn interviews Riho Rannikmaa during his recent trip to Osaka - head of all things sumo in Estonia, friend and mentor of Baruto, this is a man with something to announce. Sumo à la LA Alisdair Davey SFM's man in the shadows reports on his recent jaunt in LA, as guest of the Californian Sumo Association and SFM reporter at large. Photo Bonanzas Hot on the heels of the recent Ise bonanza - Haru up close and very very personal - some of our best pics to date. Haru Basho Summary Lon Howard Lon wraps the Haru Basho and chucks in a few bits on the henka issues the top dogs are suffering from at present. Sumo Menko Ryan Laughton Sumo cards of old brought to life once again by expert collector Ryan Laughton. None of your BBM offerings here - Pt II of III. Natsu Ones To Watch Carolyn Todd Carolyn ponders the ones to watch come May and Natsu when sumo comes home to Tokyo. Kimarite Focus Mikko Mattila Mikko's latest look at sumo's kimarite offers unequalled analysis and in depth explanations. Amateur Angles Howard Gilbert On your marks, get set, go - Howard Gilbert walks us through the months ahead on the amateur calendar. Kokugi Konnections Todd Lambert Click on Todd's latest selection of the best sumo sites the WWW has to offer. Fan Debate Facilitator - Carolyn Todd Should it or shouldn't it? Honbasho go on the overseas road that is. See what SFM's Chris Gould and James Hawkins have to say. SFM Cartoons Benny Loh & Stephen Thompson In this issue's cartoon bonanza, sit back and sample ST's latest 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 - A. S. - the face in the crowd reveals almost all - to see everything you'll have to close your eyes. 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.

continue to dwindle, at least until he returns to makuuchi.  But if he returns there soon and resumes his old wild ways for another five years, he might have top five potential, but that would be asking a lot.  Three rikishi dropped off the list due to the use of the LF:  Toyokuni, Daishoho and Shimanishiki.  They have been replaced by Tochihikari, Kaiki, and Hokutoriki.      Naturally, Hokutoriki still heads the active top ten list.  The rest of the list is mostly the same, with Tamakasuga being the one significant

addition.  He would have been 18th on the old active list with no adjustment for longevity, but now resides in 8th place due to his lofty LF of 1.68. Takekaze remains in 2nd place but fell a little further behind Hokutoriki due to a lower LF. For a little perspective on where today’s rikishi stand compared to the men on the all-time list; if Hokutoriki and Takekaze were assigned a more ‘mature’ LF of 1.50 instead of what they actually have right now, Hokutoriki’s EI of 10.73 would still be good for only 9th

place, and Takekaze’s 8.13 would stand at No. 29.  So even Hokutoriki is at least three years away from being a real all-timer, and that’s assuming he continues his elevator ways.  Takekaze is light years away, still.  Here is the top ten list of active elevator rikishi: For now, let’s hope Hokutoriki can make some hay in Haru and we’ll keep watching Takekaze.  See you in Natsu. Home Rules