Former Makushita wrestler Maeta Masaru passed away on Wednesday night at a hospital in Hachimantai, Iwate Prefecture. The cause of death is believed to be a heart attack.
At only 38 years old, Maeta had retired from professional sumo less than two years ago. After retirement he began a fertilizer management career at Sanken Soil. On the side he coached local elementary and junior high kids in sumo at the Hairadate High sumo dojo, and it was during one of these sessions on the 26th that Maeta collapsed.
“It was right after charging practice while the students were taking off their (joint support) tape,” recounted company president Endo Yoshitaka, “He wasn’t breathing by the time I noticed he had fallen.” This was around 7:30pm.
He was rushed to the hospital, and despite application of CPR and AED, Maeta was pronounced dead at around 8:30 that night.
Entering pro sumo in 2005, the over 440lb (200kg), 5’11” (180cm) Yamagata native reached his highest rank of Makushita #3 West in 2010. Fighting out of Hanaregoma-beya then transferring to Shibatayama-beya, Maeta said fairwell to his 13 year fighting career after September 2018.
His funeral service has yet to be scheduled.
Source: Nikkan Sports
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