Grand Champion, Maedayama, who succeeded in stopping the invincible Grand Champion Futabayama in the recently held spring sumo tournament, participated in the tournament with heart-breaking sorrows of having been divorced from his wife, says the Asahi.
    Because Mrs. Tomiko, wife of Maedayama, the most promising candidate for the title of grand champion, realized that she could not fulfill the duties required of her as a wife of a sumo wrestler, she left for her home in Kisurai village, Uwa district, Ehime Prefecture, on January 10, the opening day of the spring tournament.
    Saying that it is all his fault that his wife left him, Maedayama refused to further comment on the causes of the separation. However, circumstances which led up to the separation were disclosed by his friends.
    One of the major reasons for the separation is that Mrs. Tomiko found out that the life of a sumo wrestler was entirely different to that which she dreamed about and that Maedayama had made a mistake by hastily deciding that she was the most suitable life companion for him. Although young Maedayama is very modern in his tastes and methods of living, Mrs. Tomiko discovered that the life in the sumo world, which is the same as in ancient times, was very trying and unendurable. In spite of that she made great efforts in trying to adapt herself in entirely different old-fashioned environment, she found out that the task was too much for her.
    A member of the committee, backing up Maedayama, said "Although the life of a sumo wrestler is very trying and full of hardships, it is more difficult for the wrestler's wife. The two have decided to separate although we tried very hard to bring their differences to a satisfactory compromise. The anxieties and sorrows of the two must have been very deep."