Former Makushita Kaizen Dies of Stomach Cancer at 33; Asakayama: 'In Spirit He Was Fighting the Whole Time'
The Japan Sumo Association announced on November 14 that former makushita Kaizen (Asakayama stable), real name Takumi Maeda, died of stomach cancer at 11:30 p.m. on November 13 at a Tokyo hospital. He was 33. From Tokunoshima, Kagoshima, he went through Shonan High School and Asahi University, debuted in January 2016, won the sandanme title in January 2023 and reached a high of East Makushita 21. He sat out every basho from September 2024 and had been off the banzuke since May 2025 (Nikkan Sports, Jiji Press, Sports Hochi, Daily Sports).
His stablemaster Asakayama (ex-ozeki Kaio) said the illness was found two years ago, when it was already inoperable, though health checkups had shown nothing. 'Right to the end he was being treated with a strong desire to get back on the dohyo. He may have known it was impossible, but in spirit he was fighting the whole time.' As recently as early October he had come down to the practice ring to do shiko and suriashi (Nikkan Sports). 'It's a shame. He had no intention of giving up' (Sports Hochi).
Sources: Yahoo! Japan Sports (Nikkan Sports) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Jiji Press) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Sports Hochi) · Yahoo! Japan Sports (Daily Sports)