At a time when sumo fans were excitedly anticipating the first tournament since late 2003 that boasts two yokozuna, tragedy struck: In late June, a 17-year-old rikishi died after a training session.
Niigata native Takashi Saito, known as Tokitaizan and ranked Jonokuchi 39, was a member of the famous Tokitsukaze Beya for a matter of just week, having been introduced to sumo fans in an official "unveiling" ceremony at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in May.
It was reported that Tokitaizan said he felt unwell at approximately 12:30 p.m., was taken to a local hospital and died a little under two hours later. What's unusual is that most wrestlers at jonokuchi (sumo's lowest division) finish practice by 9 or 10 o'clock in the morning at the latest - especially in heya with several sekitori-ranked grapplers such as Tokitsukaze. Tokitaizan, though, was still being put through his paces at around midday.
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