Attention to Akeni Carolyn Todd SFM's newest addition to the writing staff takes an in-depth look at akeni, their history and production techniques Rikishi of Old Joe Kuroda Joe Kuroda slides former yokozuna Minanogawa under his SFM microscope Eric Evaluates Eric Blair Eric's wit scythes through the SML and makes clear his opinion of where the future lies for online sumo forums. Eternal Banzuke Phase II Lon Howard Stats, equations and mathematics all lead to a list of sumo's most prolific up and downers Matta-Henka: Another View Lon Howard A row that will never be fully decided but Lon gives his impressions on it all the same Heya Peek Mark Buckton Mihogaseki, former home of Estonian sekitori Baruto is toured (and peeked at) by SFM's Editor-in-Chief SFM Interview Mark Buckton Mark interviews shin-komusubi Kokkai Photo Bonanza See the Nagoya basho and Akeni photo bonanzas Nagoya Basho Summary Lon Howard Lon gives us his Nagoya basho summary, along with the henka sightings results Lower Division Rikishi Mikko Mattila Mikko Mattila casts his watchful eye over lower division goings on in makushita and below. Aki Ones to Watch Carolyn Todd Carolyn takes over the job of rikishi job performance prediction for SFM as she looks at those to keep an eye on come September Kimarite Focus Mikko Mattila Our man Mikko's latest trio of kimarite get thrown about the SFM literary dohyo Amateur Angles Howard Gilbert Howard returns with the second of his columns on the amateur sumo scene. Sumo Game SFM's very own quiz comes in for a bit of self scrutiny by our secretive man of questions. We'll call him 'X'. Sumo in Print Barbara Ann Klein SFM’s Editor reviews “The Little Yokozuna”, a book for “young” (and older) adults Kokugi Connections Todd Lambert Check out Todd's bimonthly focus on 3 of the WWW's best sumo sites Fan Debate Facilitator - Lon Howard Keri Sibley and Eduardo de Paz  ponder the concept of ‘to pay or not to pay’ makushita salaries SFM Cartoons Stephen Thompson Sit back and enjoy the offerings of one of sumo's premier artists Lets Hear From You What was it that made you a sumo fan? SFM’s own Todd Lambert details his path into sumofandom 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.

Recapping the terms: MOQ (Move On Quotient):  Average number of banzuke spots moved per basho AFQ (About Face Quotient):  Percentage of time rikishi changed direction on the banzuke EI (Elevator Index) – MOQ x AFQ:  Actual measure of rikishi’s elevator factor MY (Mid-Year):  Year in which the mid-point of rikishi’s qualifying string was reached All-time Elevator Rikishi Active Elevator Rikishi Elevator Rules One error last time:  Kyokutenho’s data was overlooked in April…he should have appeared in the top ten then as well. Also on the active side, Hokutoriki continues to pump up his numbers with a 13 point advance up the banzuke to M7e.  His current EI of 7.87 would be good enough for 4th all time if he had compiled the necessary 30 basho string, but he’s still four basho short there.  M7 might prove to be an awkward

spot from which to post more big numbers next time, unless he can get lucky with an 8-7 mark sending him all the way up to M1, which is what happened last year.  A big number going down would put him precariously close to juryo,  which is where he would go if a major injury struck from down there.  Since the Elevator Rules assign a 0 point move going to and coming from juryo, along with no credit for change of direction; even one showing there would slice into his EI.  Again, this Elevator Rikishi study is designed to recognize those rikishi who can rack up the elevator miles/kilo without sinking to juryo.  Going to juryo doesn’t automatically eliminate someone or stop a qualifying string, but it does impact their EI.  As I predicted in June, Takekaze has crashed the Elevator party in a big way with his 2-13 bomb – but in the Elevator realm, a bomb-shell.  Moving 54 spots in the last four basho – changing direction each time – has added more than two points to his EI, which stands at 5.09.  Now, from his current M13w position, he’s poised for some real impact.  He’s young and durable, and what’s more – what

you’ve seen lately is what you’ll get from him for a long time. Among the active men, the only other raised eyebrows right now are pointed toward Asasekiryu – for sliding down the Elevator list because of his extended trek up the banzuke; and toward Roho for continuing on the top five Elevator list.  When I think of Roho and then Kokkai, and then consider which one might be considered elevator material, my knee-jerk choice would be Kokkai.  But his 2.74 EI is far off the chart, compared to Roho at 4.80.  That’s all from the Elevator front for this time.  As mentioned at the top, the study of historical rikishi is mostly done, as the elevator concept doesn’t appear to be relevant prior to 1950.  When that point is reached, I’ll then begin to examine the men who comprise all-time elevator royalty in some detail, to see if I can figure out what made them so mercurial, so often.  Stay cool – it’s hot out there! Home