The Japan Sumo Association meted out its heaviest punishment ever Friday by dismissing stable master Tokitsukaze over the June death of 17-year-old wrestler Tokitaizan, who was apparently being hazed.</PARAGRAPH> <PHOTO> <TABLE WIDTH='250' ALIGN='RIGHT' BORDER='0'> <TR> <TD><IMG ALT='News photo' BORDER='0' SRC='../images/photos2007/nn20071006a1a.jpg' WIDTH='250' HEIGHT='317'/></TD> </TR> <TR> <TD><FONT SIZE='1'><B>Stable master Tokitsukaze is mobbed by reporters Friday after attending an executive committee meeting of the Japan Sumo Association, which fired him over the death of a junior wrestler in June. The panel's top executives, including Chairman Kitanoumi –

, make a show of apology afterward at a press conference in Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. KYODO PHOTOS

News photo

The unanimous decision by the JSA executive committee means Tokitsukaze, who is employed by the association, will be forced out of the world of sumo for good.