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.

That leaves the SML today as little more than a shadow of its former glorious self, with just a few of the old timers probably using it as their sole source of things sumo online. For that reason, to use a little more French, ‘babillage’ is perhaps the best label for most of the current SML content. A term that can be translated to mean something like ‘chit-chat’ or perhaps ‘tittle-tattle’ in English, the SML has long since given up the mantle of sumo knowledge and info provider and deserves the respect of being put out to grass as soon as possible. Either that or a ‘from behind’ bullet in the head! Of course, no-one likes to see their parents or grandparents suffer and sometimes the flower on the pillow is a welcomed sight when considered against the pain and futility of struggling on. Ashes to ashes…… etc.   The Sumo Forum however, is the present and probably the future of forum-based sumo online in one easy to manage package - the place to be if it is online discussion or up-to-date sumo-related news that you seek. Whether you are the long-term fan graying at the temples like myself, or fresh off the boat from Dublin, as are the chaps of the

recently founded Irish Sumo Federation – SF has it all – and then some. Brainchild of one Scandinavian gentleman’s liaisons with rikishi back in November 2001, SF has long since taken over where the ‘text only’ SML was failing; mainly by being split into various folders offering related threads on all or any aspects of sumo you may think of. SF, to its everlasting credit, also impresses by incorporating the software necessary to enable the posting of sumo pics and images that do so much to add colour to the proceedings. After all – 700-odd members, 90,000 posts and a hatful of those little gadgetry emoticon things can’t be wrong can they? Even the stables, so ‘open’ in recent months, and seemingly so accessible now via the blogs of individual rikishi, their tsukebito or even those operated by loyal fans, have all served to bring the boys to us so we don’t need to exert too much effort going to the boys. Because of this, thanks to the screen in front of you, you can enter the vast majority of stables now just by clicking a few times on your mouse. Such closeness notwithstanding, the piece de resistance for most of those

interested in sumo, though, is undoubtedly the NSK feed from the stadiums that essentially lets you ‘attend’ a honbasho by entering the streaming video feed live if you have a good Internet connection – as provided by Sir Tim, mind you - and a bit of luck. That alone, when all is said and done and when ignoring the ‘pay for what you receive’ squabbles over on the Sumo Forum in recent days, justifies the title of this piece,  does it not? Sir Tim more than deserves his place in the hearts of sumo fans around the world and I dare anyone to disagree! Without him and his WWW would you ever have seen the sport live? Some perhaps,  the vast majority, though – not a chance. So, go on, tap your PC gently on the top of the screen and say, in the very best Austin Powers voice you can put on - ‘thank you, Sir Tim, we salute you’. Ed. Note:  The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of Mr. Blair and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Sumo Fan Magazine or other staff. Home