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.

Hanah Weerkamp Interview by Mark Buckton

the world. Russia always sends strong opponents (Panteleeve), but also Nicole Hehemann from Germany is a big rival. I think the Great Britain team is really improving as well. They proved this time (in Sakai) that the world has to watch out for them! MB: And on the domestic front? Any up and comers in Holland at the moment? In Holland we have a very solid group of people at the moment, but there are new people now and than - especially in the junior boys. They have the potential to become good sumo wrestlers. MB: How well established is women’s sumo in Holland? How about the men? Both woman’s sumo and men’s sumo are increasing in popularity in Holland. It’s still a small and not very well known sport, but the media takes it quite seriously at the moment, which gives the sport an opportunity to show its beauty. Happily the idea of fat woman and men who just bump into each other has disappeared Next

Hanah Weerkamp has been a medalist (twice bronze, once silver) at the last three Shinsumo World Championships and is the lynchpin of women’s sumo in Holland. A while after picking up the latest of her three medals, individual silver in the women’s middleweight competition she gave SFM an insight into her views on the amateur game today, women on the dohyo and a whole lot more.   MB: Hanah, please tell us how a primary school teacher from Ede in Holland ended up representing her nation in Shinsumo on the opposite side of the world? I’ve always been a sporty person and I’ve been very active in dancing and aerobics since I was young. About seven years ago a friend of mine told me she had been asked to take part in a sumo group in Rotterdam. In Holland there aren’t many places to try sumo, so she had to drive a long

way to the dohyo. Because I was interested as well I drove with her to Rotterdam to accompany her during the drive, but I was only watching in the beginning. That said, sumo is really attractive, so after a short time I wanted to try it myself and that (try) turned out really well. Besides the fact that I began to love doing it, it seemed that I had a talent for sumo. Stephen Gadd (Dutch sumo head) scouted me and so I ended up in the Dutch team! With hard work, dedication and enthusiasm I managed (to rise) to be the number one middleweight woman in the Netherlands and so I’m allowed to participate in the World Championships. MB: Given that you are now an established name in women’s middleweight sumo, who do you consider to be your biggest rivals on the international front? I think that Europe is pretty strong compared to the rest of