Nagoya Nears
Eric Blair
As Nagoya nears, EB gets a head start on the pack by focussing on points of interest, past and present surrounding sumo's hottest basho

Rikishi of Old
Joe Kuroda
The 42nd yokozuna Kagamisato falls under the JK microscope

Heya Peek
Barbara Ann Klein
Kokonoe-beya and the Chiyo Boys

SFM Interview
Mark Buckton
SFM's Ed-in-Chief interviews Estonian up and comer Baruto

Sumo 101
Barbara Ann Klein
SFM's Editor looks at all the twists and turns involved in the tsunauchi-shiki and adds a photo bonanza to boot

Photo Bonanza
See the Natsu
Basho and Kokonoe-beya photo bonanzas

Natsu Basho Summary
Lon Howard
Lon gives us his Natsu Basho summary, along with the henka sightings results

Lower Division Rikishi
Mikko Mattila
Mikko Mattila lets you know what is going on down below the curtain

Nagoya Ones to Watch
Mark Buckton
MB's mixed bag of things to look out for in Nagoya

Kimarite Focus
Mikko Mattila
Our man Mikko takes us on a tour of several defensive oriented kimarite

Amateur Angles
Howard Gilbert
The first of our regular column pieces on the amateur sumo scene from a man who knows more than most

Sumo Game
Bruce Rae
For a look at his very own: PTYW (Pick The Yusho Winners)

Sumo in Print
Barbara Ann Klein
SFM's Editor reviews the newly published biography of Akebono, Gaijin Yokozuna – but sees it as more than just a biography

Kokugi Connections
Todd Lambert
Check out Todd's bimonthly focus on 3 of the WWW's best sumo sites around

Fan Debate
Facilitator – Lon Howard
Sumo author Mina Hall and long long time fan Jim Bitgood discuss how to make sumo more entertaining – if such a concept is even necessary

SFM Cartoons
Benny Loh & Stephen Thompson		  
Sit back and enjoy the offerings of sumo's premier artists

Let’s Hear From You
What was it that
made you a sumo fan? James Vath in rural Japan lets us in on his gateway to the sport

Readers’ Letters
See what our readers had to say since we last went out

Sumo Quiz
The Quizmaster
Answer the Qs and win yourself next basho’s banzuke.

did sit out and Hakuho advanced beside him. For an Upset runner-up, any of Tochiazuma's first three defeats will do.

Without doubt, the most important thing that happened in the Natsu basho was the fact that the fans stayed with it despite the early departure of Asashoryu and the tanked tsunatori run of Tochiazuma. It was the second consecutive basho decided by kettei-sen and almost as stirring as Haru, though without as many sub-
plots. Some even said the early exits of Asashoryu and

Asashoryu and Tochiazuma












Tochiazuma were good for the basho. Hmm… wouldn't go that far but I get the point. Now the countdown has begun for Hakuho, who reportedly needs a ‘good’ 13-2 showing in Nagoya for promotion to yokozuna; and
for Miyabiyama, for whom 10 wins may be good enough for a re-promotion to ozeki, depending on their ‘quality.’ If Miyabiyama makes it, it's certain that in the modern era, no rikishi has ever re-gained the ozeki rank after such a lengthy interlude, and I'll guess that goes for any era. Lots more to talk about for sure, but must stop somewhere so let's hope Asashoryu gets back in the fray in Nagoya with no injury after-effects, and that another nail-biter awaits. Get out those summer duds and enjoy!

Henka Sightings Summary