Welcome to yet another edition of Sumo Fan Magazine, the quadrilingual online mag that always seems to defy its critics with its longevity – and its ability to attract new writers. This time, we have managed to secure the skills of Araibira – yes, he of sumo video fame who since May 2011 has been rising through internet rankings as fast as Goeido once bombed through juryo and lower-makuuchi. And like Goeido, we hope Araibira will be around with his videos for many years to come. Unlike Goeido, we hope he is not involved in any baseball gambling scandals. So, this issue comes after Baruto became only the second European ever to lift the Emperor’s Cup. Anybody remember the first? Perhaps the basho review will remind you. The piece is terrifically complemented by Araibira’s top three vids of the basho, and Alex Herrmann’s Ones to Watch. Nice to see that our “Double A team” (Arai and Alex) are both putting emphasis on youth this time round. We also have several pics from the basho taken with SFM’s new camera lens. We are especially pleased to announce the return of Ryan Laughton from Winter vacation – he will be supplying more collectors’ advice in his popular column. Dorian Marcellin is also back with a fascinating piece about trying to convert his friends to sumo fandom. And Kokugi Konnections takes us back to the glorious past of Mainoumi, and how he used to eternally upset people far bigger than himself. Not for nothing was he called the Dancing Ocean! Eternal thanks as ever to Denis, Alex and Eduardo, the translators supreme, as well as the layout skills of Olivia – who also doubles as our resident morpher and will be out to wreak comedy havoc with the changing forms of sumotori again. Thanks also to Dorian for writing his piece in both French and English. And don’t forget to follow SFM staff on Twitter: @SumoGouldie, @saitamajptour, @edupaz, @Morph_o_maniac, @Denis77360, @Araibira, @hermannator, @DorianMarcellin. Hey, we’re all super hi-tech now! Enjoy the issue, and the March basho which comes after it. Yours in sumo, Chris Gould Editor Sumo Fan Magazine editor@sumofanmag.com |