Shinjiro Otani Still Paralyzed From The Neck Down, Moved To Rehab Hospital

Shinjiro Otani suffered a cervical cord injury on April 10 during his bout against Takashi Sugiura at ZERO1. The match was stopped after a german suplex in the corner when Otani could no longer move.

He underwent successful surgery on April 13. It was announced he was paralyzed from the neck down. 

In an update from Tokyo Sports (via Eastern Lariat), Otani is still paralyzed from the neck down. In mid-August, he was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Tokyo.

He can’t use a mobile phone, so he uses his nurse to help him keep in touch with his family. Due to COVID, he is only allowed to be visited by relatives and has not been able to meet with ZERO1 company officials or wrestlers.

From Otani: 

To all the passionate wrestling fans and everyone in the wrestling industry

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your warm words of encouragement and support. I am still living every day as hard as I can.

I am living in an environment where I cannot hear what is going on in the world of wrestling, which I love, so that I can concentrate on my treatment and rehabilitation. I am working hard in my rehabilitation every day, wondering what the current wrestling scene is like.

I believe that if I can overcome this, I will be able to return to the world of wrestling, which I love. Wrestling is something that gives me strength. Wrestling is the best!

I have the utmost respect for all the pro-wrestlers who still wrestle every day.

And to all the fans who come to the venue, I thank you so much for your support. Shinjiro Otani will definitely return before you all. Thank you for your continued support of professional wrestling.

Fightful will continue to update fans on Otani’s condition when more is known.

We wish him all the best in his recovery.