Koji Hanada, who was a sumo grand champion and stablemaster under the name Takanohana, has divorced former TV announcer Keiko, sources close to the matter said Monday.
Hanada married Keiko Kono in 1995 after being promoted to yokozuna, sumo's top rank of grand champion. The couple had three children.
As Takanohana, the 46-year-old Hanada won 22 tournaments in the top makuuchi division and helped sumo gain popularity alongside his elder brother Wakanohana.
Hanada resigned from the Japan Sumo Association in October, complaining about the sport governing body's handling of a scandal involving one of his wrestlers and former yokozuna Harumafuji.
