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.

eight months, Akebono – not Konishiki – would be crowned sumo’s first non-Japanese yokozuna, leaving the ‘Dump Truck’ to embark upon an excruciating battle merely to preserve his makunouchi status. Fifteen years on, though, no-one can doubt the phenomenal impact of Konishiki’s promotion challenge. Alarmed by the trouble caused, the NSK initially ceased taking on foreign recruits, only to reverse its policy once it realised that foreigners like Konishiki might actually have contributed to sumo’s popularity. Had the NSK not scouted so zealously upon reopening its doors to foreign competition, it would never have purloined the talents of the men who define sumo today. By thrusting the possibility of a gaijin

yokozuna into the Japanese conscience for the first time, Konishiki paved the way not only for Akebono’s smooth promotion in 1993, but for Musashimaru’s in 1999 and Asashoryu’s in 2003. And, in the wake of Akebono’s success and Kojima’s death, the word hinkaku is used much more carefully in sumo circles, denoting the qualities of a yokozuna rather than the qualities of the Japanese. It is wholly unsurprising that Konishiki now enjoys cult celebrity status. He inspired a new army of followers when fighting extreme adversity in his later sumo career and now appeals to a younger generation of fans with his weekday children’s TV show. He also entertains audiences as a disco dancer, part-time commercial rap artist and bit-part movie star (e.g. Fast and

Furious: Tokyo Drift, 2006). His popularity on both sides of the Pacific was spotlighted in October 2005 when, as guest announcer for the Grand Sumo Las Vegas event, he spent hours signing autographs. He is also an active driver of the ‘Konishiki Kids’ project, which enables children from humble Hawaiian beginnings to visit Japan for a week at the big man’s expense. He may never have reached the very top but his legacy outstrips even his girth. They may not have realised it, but when Asashoryu and Hakuho faced off on the final day of this year’s Osaka basho, their sumo success was directly linked to events in the same arena on the same dohyo, exactly 15 years before. Home Print version