Teenage sumo wrestler dies after heart attack

TOKYO, June 28 (Reuters) A 17-year-old sumo wrestler died from heart failure after a training session this week, the Japan Association said today.

Tokitaizan, whose real name is Takashi Saito, suffered discomfort after training on Tuesday for the Nagoya tournament.

He was taken by ambulance to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A native of Niigata, two hours north of Tokyo, Tokitaizan was ranked 39th in sumo's junior rankings for the July 8-22 Nagoya Grand Sumo tournament.

Most sumo wrestlers intentionally put on weight for extra strength but can face heart problems in later life. Some of the biggest wrestlers weight over 200 kilograms.

REUTERS SLD RAI1012