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SOS - Shinjinrui on Sumo |
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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.
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Sumo World Championships |
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Mark Buckton
Mark Buckton reports from Sakai near Osaka, site of the latest Sumo World Championships.
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Rikishi of Old |
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Joe Kuroda
Joe Kuroda finishes off his look at former yokozuna Minanogawa.
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Sumo 101 / Eric Evaluates |
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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.
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Age stands still for no man |
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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.
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Feel the Sumo |
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Eduardo de Paz
Read and feel the renowned Leonishiki's passion for all things sumo at his first live event.
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SFM Interview |
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Mark Buckton
Mark interviews Colin Carroll - again - Irish star of Sakai.
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Photo Bonanza |
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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.
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Aki Basho Summary |
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Lon Howard
Lon wraps the September Aki Basho and throws in some henka sighting results for good measure.
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Lower Division Rikishi |
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Mikko Mattila
The lower divisions, their members and results get the once over thanks to Mikko's eye of things 'beneath the curtain'.
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Kimarite Focus |
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Mikko Mattila
Mikko's latest clarification of several of the sport's plethora of kimarite.
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Amateur Angles |
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Howard Gilbert
Howard Gilbert - manager of New Zealand's amateur sumo team takes a look at the approaching Russians.
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Kokugi Konnections |
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Todd Lambert
Click on Todd's bimonthly focus on three of the best sumo sites online.
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Fan Debate |
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Facilitator - Lon Howard
Jesse Lake and Rich Pardoe hammer out their differences on a current furor - promotion criteria.
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SFM Cartoons |
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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.
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Sumo Odds ’n’ Ends |
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SFM's interactive elements including Henka Sightings, Elevator Rikishi and Eternal Banzuke!
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Readers' Letters |
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See what our readers had to say since we last hit your screens.
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Sumo Quiz |
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The Quizmaster
Answer the Qs and win yourself next basho’s banzuke.
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Kaio: Kaio
is surrounded by retirement rumors, Kaio is kadoban, Kyushu is his home
basho… Is this the end? He’s come back from being kadoban before, but
in Tokyo he was looking exceedingly unhappy before he went kyujo. The
heya are denying it, but he has to be seriously considering his future.
He’s sure to start in Kyushu but his injuries will dictate whether he
finishes. If it looks as if he can’t overcome his injuries and won’t
make KK, he’s bound to retire. Equally, if he makes KK, he might see
Kyushu as a fitting swansong. Alternatively, he might just keep going
and going. Whichever scenario develops, it’ll be worth watching.
Kaio
Roho: Roho made such an
effort in Tokyo to show the proper behavior, bowed so deliberately,
wouldn’t even look Chiyotaikai in the eye - just in case - and produced
some great sumo. He proved that if he focuses on his sumo, he can be a joy to watch.
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But will it last? Well, why not? He’s obviously not out of
his depth near the top of the banzuke and the fans have been very
appreciative of his efforts – who wouldn’t want that to continue? I
just hope he can sustain his concentration - he gives the impression of
being easily distracted, although I have no clue if that’s actually
true. I hope for more good things from Roho in Kyushu, another
double-digit result, please.
Asa: And what of our yokozuna?
After going kyujo in Nagoya and with all the kerfuffle surrounding
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Hakuho, he’s been somewhat out of the limelight, which clearly doesn’t
agree with him because in Tokyo, despite his hideously bruised knee, he
won his 18th yusho. So what can we expect in Kyushu? Well, more of the
same, I think. There’s really no reason, barring injury, why it
shouldn’t be business as usual. He lost a couple in Tokyo but when up
against anyone with a decent record, he beat them, decisively. And the
sanyaku and top maegashira are looking pretty strong – but are they
genki enough to challenge him for the yusho? |
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