Futagoyama (right) seen with his sons Takanohana (left) and Wakanohana in May 1998.

Futagoyama, whose real name was Mitsuru Hanada, had been receiving treatment at a hospital in Tokyo since the fall of 2003 for a type of cancer that afflicts the region between the tongue and gums at the base of the mouth.

A native of Aomori Prefecture, Futagoyama made his debut in professional sumo in 1965 and made his mark in the top-tier makuuchi division as ozeki Takanohana until he retired in January 1981.

He appeared in 50 tournaments as an ozeki, and won two Emperor's Cups. The lanky, lightweight wrestler was a fan favorite for his skillful, valiant style of sumo against heavier opponents.

After his retirement, Futagoyama became known as a stablemaster who trained his two sons to become elite sumo wrestlers.

In late February, Takanohana, himself a stablemaster, revealed that Futagoyama was waging a battle with cancer.

The Japan Times Weekly: June 4, 2005
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