A 17-year-old novice sumo wrestler who died suddenly after training in June was denied meals from the day before his death, when he underwent violent hazing, police and other sources said Friday.
Investigators believe Takashi Saito, who had been given the ring name Tokitaizan at the Tokitsukaze stable, died June 26 after being subjected to sparring bouts with his seniors at the stable and passing out. The previous day, he had been severely beaten.
On Thursday, police arrested Junichi Yamamoto, 57, the former master of the stable, and three senior wrestlers there, for allegedly inflicting injuries that resulted in the young wrestler's death.
Police said Yamamoto, formerly pro sumo wrestler Futatsuryu, admitted to beating Saito with a beer bottle on June 25 but denied he ordered any beatings.