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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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The British heavyweight rikishi had obviously
undergone the same limited training as last year’s lightweight of the
same nationality and thought that scowling would see him through. It
didn’t, he flopped, and all British men’s efforts over the past fifteen
years were thrown face down into the sand by one of their women, who
claimed a silver in her first ever tournament - the nation’s first.
The same British lass was recorded in her moment of glory by the
cameramen of the United Kingdom’s Channel Four TV and will appear on TV
screens in the UK sometime after Christmas, according to the film crew.
The Japanese rikishi, en-masse, must have had a quiet speaking to as
their tachiai timing was far better this year than last. Not perfect,
but no real grumbles were heard in the crowd this time out about going
ahead of the gun.
The Swiss team – next hosts of the SWC - didn’t compete, so presumably
the passing of the flag was achieved by way of Japan Post and lots of
stamps.
26-year-old Hanah Weerkamp of Holland, a primary school teacher by
day, had a good tournament and picked up a third consecutive medal in
the women’s middleweight competition. A very popular girl, Hanah was
one tough cookie to pin down for an interview, but her interview is now available here.
The Israeli trip to the championships was 100% funded by their
president, Eldad Ben-Horin, owner of a martial arts academy in Israel
and a nice bloke, to boot.
Tonga, when asked about attending 2007 in Switzerland and traveling to
the opposite side of the planet, brought up a common theme – finances and the desire to see the ISF
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contribute more along such lines.
Many rikishi had no real idea of what was going on in the days leading
up to the 15th, and the lone Georgian competitor, Tedo Rtveliashvili,
was essentially taken under the wing of SFM-ers Howard Gilbert (also
coach of New Zealand), Carolyn Todd, and yours truly as well as the
almost legendary (in the land of amasumo) TV talent and captain of the
Tokyo University Sumo team – Petr Matous of the Czech Republic. No
Georgian-speaking assistants were provided by the ISF and the poor lad
sat alone most of the day, struggling with limited Russian and a kind
old Japanese man trying to help.
The same Georgian youngster twice spoke to (Georgian) Tochinoshin of
Kasugano beya – by way of SFMs in-house mobile phone - and is
apparently considering a move into Ozumo. Unfortunately, he lost his
only scheduled bout.
Channel Four (UK) and Ulster TV (Ireland) weren’t the only TV types to
turn up, as several foreign crews were there – including a trio
(American / Bulgarian / Scottish) covering the Bulgarian team as part
of a project for a master’s degree from Edinburgh University in
Scotland. When the film makes it online, you’ll hear about it here.
The gentle giant Andrew Perenara of New Zealand had his Maori flag out
on the railings at the back of the stadium – and succeeded in pinning
me down for a while with a history lecture.
Hong Kong had a large contingent following the famous 2005 bout
between the delightfully named Angel Mak (then 55kg, 122 lbs) interviewed here:
and Hungarian Anna Josef (168kg, 370 lbs). Look for Mak and the rest of
Hong Kong to be taking sumo to the masses on the small islands at the southern tip
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of China, as Switzerland looks to be not an option for them.
Mongolians were there in force and far more vocal and reserved than
last year. Kyokushuzan of Oshima-beya was not seen this time.
Ozumo’s makushita rikishi Kazafuzan was there – supporting Kazakhstan,
naturally – due to the efforts of Katrina Watts and the graciousness
and generosity of Nishikido oyakata, the former “Salt Shaker” Mitoizumi.
Shikoroyama oyakata (former sekiwake Terao) spent about an hour or so
discreetly at the rear of the stadium with a couple of aides – scouting?
The Estonian Sumo Association, in prepping for 2008 are
reportedly building a new sumo arena, pool etc and will focus on
Rakvere, but perhaps expand into Tallinn.
An ‘International Sumo Fan Club’ is being established by two Estonian
women based in Norway - one of whom is a former competitor who
fought at the Akita games several years ago. Keep scouring the Internet
for info on this.
According to sources therein, 2007 will see the ISF lose the services
of office clerk Tamaki Nishida, a name almost synonymous with amateur
sumo for the better part of a decade.
When all is said and done – of 85 registered member nations, well under
half – 37 - bothered to come to the event. This is a major point for
the ISF to think about in its next bid for IOC status.
Horses are far less gangly and awkward than camels. Better to look at, too. But even better is our Sakai Bonanza..Enjoy the sights!
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