Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi said Thursday he will visit the Niigata home of the family of junior wrestler who died from apparent violent hazing in June to offer an apology.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Friday's apology visit will be the first made directly by Kitanoumi to the family of wrestler Tokitaizan, whose real name was Takashi Saito.</PARAGRAPH> <PARAGRAPH>Kitanoumi avoided any direct comment on the visit, only saying: 'I have a feeling of deep regret. I wanted to –

as early as possible."

Sumo stable master Tokitsukaze visited Saito's family Wednesday.

The visit by Tokitsukaze came after he took over the stable from his sumo elder, who has been fired by the JSA for his alleged involvement in the series of assaults that claimed Saito's life. The previous stable master was also named Tokitsukaze, a name that the stable has carried on according to tradition.

The new stable master, who was makuuchi division wrestler Tokitsuumi, retired to succeed the stable in the face of his predecessor's firing.

Saito was believed severely beaten and kicked by several senior stable mates in Aichi Prefecture prior to the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.