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.

Letters to the Editor

Readers with the same sentiment might want to take another look at much of the rest of SFM. A large percentage of SFM articles contain personal (writers') opinions and although, perhaps, not to the same extent as my own, this is one of the joys of working for SFM - the freedom (and the stage on which) to take sumo and my / our own sumo-related opinions to large numbers of fans.     As Editor, I, myself, believe that there is room for at least one strongly opinionated article since there are many List and Forum fans who often like to see their opinions aired, as well as to read the views of others.  Please keep those letters coming in to editor@sumofanmag.com and you could be a lucky winner of a sumo souvenir direct from the Kokugikan or other Ozumo venue. Home

Each issue, we will feature a letter from one of our readers. The sender will receive a sumo-related prize of our choosing.

Well, readers, we have had a few letters objecting to Eric Blair’s piece in the last issue, where he expresses his preference of the Sumo Forum over the Sumo Mailing List.  We did have a disclaimer, as we do this issue as well, for Eric’s articles, acknowledging that Eric’s articles may be considered controversial by some. Each reader from whom we have received mail on this subject will receive a sumo souvenir, so, please look for an email in the Inbox requesting your snail mail address.

Herewith, Eric’s response: I value greatly our readers’ opinions as I am sure my bosses also do here at SFM. However, although I do tend to wear my heart on my sleeve when writing, and in my August piece on the online forum-type offerings that have sprung up around sumo recently, perhaps especially so. I’d like to quote a passage from one reader’s letter: “Let’s keep it about content, and not about a writer’s personal whims and fancies.”