Death of novice is latest sumo scandal

A FRESH scandal broke out in Japan’s time-honoured sport of sumo as a teenage novice died after being beaten with a beer bottle by his stable master.

Takashi Saito, who joined the sumo world in April, collapsed in the fighting ring while practising with another wrestler on June 26 in the central city of Inuyama.

The 17-year-old was pronounced dead at a hospital from heart failure, spawning speculation that his death was triggered by earlier violence in the stable.

Stable master Tokitsukaze admitted to local police that he hit the boy on the head with a beer bottle the day before his sudden death, the Asahi Shimbun, public broadcaster NHK and other media said.

Reports said other senior disciples also punched and kicked Saito, whose body had a deep cut in the face and multiple burns on his legs that appeared to be from cigarettes.

Police plan to seek criminal charges against the stable master and disciples over the death, the Asahi and private Nippon Television said.

A police official declined to comment on the reports, but recognised that the teenager had died an “unnatural death.”

Authorities carried out an autopsy two days after his death.

“It was difficult to determine the exact cause, but it may be a shock from numerous external wounds,” he said.

Sumo stables have been dogged by allegations that senior disciples brutalise young entrants in the name of training.

In July the sumo organisation was forced to cancel tests for new recruits for the first time after nobody applied.

Tokitsukaze made no public appearance yesterday, but had earlier denied such violence in his stable.