SOS - Shinjinrui on Sumo Chris Gould Chris sinks his teeth into how sumo can go about pulling in the younger fans - currently so noticeable by their absence. The first of a three-part series. Sumo World Championships Mark Buckton Mark Buckton reports from Sakai near Osaka, site of the latest Sumo World Championships. Rikishi of Old Joe Kuroda Joe Kuroda finishes off his look at former yokozuna Minanogawa. Sumo 101 / Eric Evaluates Eric Blair Eric expains sumo fan terminology - with the inevitable twist - for those just getting into the sport and still subject to the know it alls. Age stands still for no man Joe Kuroda Former ozeki Kiyokuni will retire in November under the compulsory '65 and you are out' rule. JK takes a look at this quiet earth mover. Feel the Sumo Eduardo de Paz Read and feel the renowned Leonishiki's passion for all things sumo at his first live event. SFM Interview Mark Buckton Mark interviews Colin Carroll - again - Irish star of Sakai. Photo Bonanza See the Aki Basho bonanza as well as the largest collection of pics you are likely to see on the Sumo World Championships earlier in October. Aki Basho Summary   Lon Howard Lon wraps the September Aki Basho and throws in some henka sighting results for good measure. Lower Division Rikishi   Mikko Mattila The lower divisions, their members and results get the once over thanks to Mikko's eye of things 'beneath the curtain'. Kyushu Ones To Watch   Carolyn Todd Carolyn shares her thoughts on whom to keep an eye on in Fukuoka. Kimarite Focus Mikko Mattila Mikko's latest clarification of several of the sport's plethora of kimarite. Amateur Angles   Howard Gilbert Howard Gilbert - manager of New Zealand's amateur sumo team takes a look at the approaching Russians. Kokugi Konnections   Todd Lambert Click on Todd's bimonthly focus on three of the best sumo sites online. Fan Debate   Facilitator - Lon Howard Jesse Lake and Rich Pardoe hammer out their differences on a current furor - promotion criteria. SFM Cartoons    Benny Loh & Stephen Thompson In this issue's cartoon bonanza, sit back and enjoy Benny Loh's offerings and put a caption to Stephen Thompson's picture to win yourselves a banzuke. Sumo Odds ’n’ Ends    SFM's interactive elements including Henka Sightings, Elevator Rikishi and Eternal Banzuke! Lets Hear From You   What was it that made you a sumo fan? Kevin Murphy 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 next basho’s banzuke.

MB: Are you close to the Chinese team, the athletes? AM: Er, we have just seen the Chinese team once and we want to make sumo a sport for everyone, but it is difficult in Hong Kong. Teenagers do like sumo and every year the Hong Kong Sumo Association has a team and junior team championship, but some people don’t like wearing a mawashi. MB: Do you have much interest in sumo in Hong Kong? AM: Yes, many teenagers try and even though they don’t like the mawashi at first, they don’t understand why they lose fights so easily, and as they want to win they keep going. I feel very excited when I see more teenagers coming into sumo and hope that they keep on practicing so that they can try out for the Hong Kong team one day. MB: Do you plan on attending the event next year in Switzerland and then in 2008 in Estonia? AM: I think we should focus on the game in Hong Kong and the Asian Championships because our team is not so powerful – our weights are quite low –so we will try harder in the Asian events, but we do get

asked why we attend the World Championship because we are so light. I answer that sumo is  not only about the weight, it’s the spirit. MB: Which nation do you rate as the best in the women’s game today? AM: I think the Japanese team because they can spend more time practicing, but I think they also have pressure (to win) which I think is good for their spirit. They have a good team spirit. MB: As a woman, how do you feel about the possibility that were women not competing in this event, the men could be competing at the main stadium in Tokyo – a place women are not permitted to compete? AM: I think this is a traditional matter. We cannot interrupt traditional matters and we cannot change them, so we will just try hard in the international competitions – in the Olympic Games for example. MB: Do you think sumo will one day be recognized as a full Olympic sport? AM: I hope it is possible because the IFS is today a provisional

member, so I hope it will be a proper member in 2016. If Tokyo gets the games (referring to the ongoing Tokyo bid for the Olympics in 2016), I hope Tokyo can introduce sumo. MB: Away from active sumo, the meetings yesterday evening (Sat. 14th), were quite eventful and, as you know, a few good European rikishi are not here now. What do you think about all the trouble over some rikishi trying to make sumo a commercial venture in America? AM: I heard about all that and I think we should focus on promoting sumo around the world and we shouldn’t make sumo so complicated. I think we should focus on how to promote sumo to everyone (rather) than isolating people. It’s not good for the sport to argue about other things. Every country comes here with the spirit to take part in sumo – that is important. (MB’s note: The above text has been left in its natural state as far as was possible – certain colloquialisms have been amended and ‘missing’ terms added to make it easier for SFM’s international readership) . Home