Sumo Souvenirs   Mark Buckton Second of a two parter on sumo souvenirs - some hints on avoiding the fluff. Konishiki Chris Gould Takamiyama's 60s / 70s successes notwithstanding Konishiki was sumo's first full-on mover and shaker from lands afar leaving Chris G to take an in-depth look at the ripples the big guy left behind when exiting the sumo pool. Rikishi of Old Joe Kuroda Joe Kuroda's looks back at the life and times of former yokozuna Shiranui. Eric Evaluates Eric Blair Eric IDs the true winners of the henkafest that was the Haru Basho senshuraku. Rikishi Diary Mark Kent Mark Kent - English pro-wrestler and amateur heavyweight sumotori - takes his training a step further on his road to European and World sumo glory. Heya Peek Mark Buckton Oitekaze Beya just to the north of Tokyo and not far from the abode of SFM's Ed-i-C falls under the microscope. SFM Interview Carolyn Todd Carolyn interviews Riho Rannikmaa during his recent trip to Osaka - head of all things sumo in Estonia, friend and mentor of Baruto, this is a man with something to announce. Sumo à la LA Alisdair Davey SFM's man in the shadows reports on his recent jaunt in LA, as guest of the Californian Sumo Association and SFM reporter at large. Photo Bonanzas Hot on the heels of the recent Ise bonanza - Haru up close and very very personal - some of our best pics to date. Haru Basho Summary Lon Howard Lon wraps the Haru Basho and chucks in a few bits on the henka issues the top dogs are suffering from at present. Sumo Menko Ryan Laughton Sumo cards of old brought to life once again by expert collector Ryan Laughton. None of your BBM offerings here - Pt II of III. Natsu Ones To Watch Carolyn Todd Carolyn ponders the ones to watch come May and Natsu when sumo comes home to Tokyo. Kimarite Focus Mikko Mattila Mikko's latest look at sumo's kimarite offers unequalled analysis and in depth explanations. Amateur Angles Howard Gilbert On your marks, get set, go - Howard Gilbert walks us through the months ahead on the amateur calendar. Kokugi Konnections Todd Lambert Click on Todd's latest selection of the best sumo sites the WWW has to offer. Fan Debate Facilitator - Carolyn Todd Should it or shouldn't it? Honbasho go on the overseas road that is. See what SFM's Chris Gould and James Hawkins have to say. SFM Cartoons Benny Loh & Stephen Thompson In this issue's cartoon bonanza, sit back and sample ST's latest artistic offerings. Sumo Odds & Ends SFM's interactive elements - as always includes Henka Sightings, Elevator Rikishi and Eternal Banzuke! Let's Hear From You What was it that made you a sumo fan - A. S. - the face in the crowd reveals almost all - to see everything you'll have to close your eyes. 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 a genuine banzuke.

Rikishi Diary   by Mark Kent

No problem with the knee. Mar 11th Got up this morning - left knee fine. Right thigh feels stiff. Had to lean against a wall to watch my boy play football. Hopefully it will be OK in a couple of days. Mar 12th I can hardly walk today. Went to see the doctor, he's not sure what is wrong and said I should rest it. More bloody rest. I've got the LDN Wrestling TV show this Saturday. I can't drop out of that. Mar 13th Went to an osteopath today. Apparently all the tendons and ligaments around my hip joint are inflamed. This is pulling on my thigh muscle. He worked on it for 30 minutes and told me to rest it, I told him NO. After the treatment I had more movement but still got the pain. Mar 16th After countless stretching exercises and even more ice packs, (putting ice on the outside of your hip is fine but the groin, that's not pleasant) I went back to the osteopath for some more treatment, When I left him I could walk without limping although it really hurt. Mar 17th More ice packs (Brrrrrrr) and plenty of pain killers it was time for my LDN Next

Mark Kent, a 194 kg, 187 cm Warehouse Manager by day, is, by night the UK Champion (2004, 2006) Professional Wrestler as well as the most recent heavyweight representative of his nation at the last Sumo Worlds in Sakai, Osaka. A man clearly at home in the ring, Mark is not afraid of the pen either and has kindly agreed to let SFM follow him, by way of a diary, through the year as he trains and prepares for and, injuries notwithstanding, competes in amateur sumo events across Europe. As a former footballer and rugby player, UK born and bred, Mark is married with two kids - a boy and a girl - themselves heavily into sports and, although his ventures into boxing, judo and even American football may now be behind him, he is just getting started on the road to amateur sumo stardom. As part of that journey, Mark’s diary will let SFM, our readers

and sumo fans from around the world know just how it feels to be setting out on a relatively lonely road in a nation not exactly known for its male sumotori in years past. Any and all comments of support for Mark as he works his way through the year can be sent via editor@sumofanmag.com Feb 20th The Doctor has advised me to stop training for TWO weeks, Two whole weeks! How am I going to get fit? Mar 4th Went to the Dropkixx Wrestling Gym and started training. Good news being that the knee held up, and although all the movement is there, the strength has dropped. Mar 9th Squats are going well, I've started from the beginning and am having to work my way up again. Mar 10th It's 11:30 pm, I've just come home from a pro-wrestling show, I had a match and was in a rumble. A very good work out.