As noted, New Japan Pro Wrestling star Katsuyori Shibata was injured during his main event match against Kazuchika Okada at NJPW’s Sakura Genesis on April 9th.
During the bout, Okada was hit with a stiff headbutt from Shibata, and Shibata was later taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a subdural hematoma. Although Shibata underwent successful surgery and is expected to fully recover from the injury, it appears as if his Genesis match might have been his last.
Shibata has published a new “Real Talk” blog, updating his health status, and the following is a translation of the entry by Twitter user @STRIGGA.
-Shibata stated that even before this latest injury, he has been seeing double since the beginning of his career. He added that he’s had surgery on his eyes on three separate occasion over the years.
-In regards to his current situation, Shibata stated that the treatments are a “heavy burden to his body” because it involves sending currents (presumably electrical) to the injured parts of his body (which is his skull/brain).
-Shibata stated “there is no precedent” for his current treatment and that there are only a few machines that do this treatment in the country.
-Shibata said he gets desperate when he thinks about his condition and that his best hope at this point is to be able to have clearer vision than he does now.
Summary of Katsuyori Shibata’s newest blog entry: pic.twitter.com/Bq3UJLV0kr
— STRIGGA (@STRIGGA) June 22, 2017
Nick was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, and lived there until the age of 18, when he decided to pack his flack jacket and move to New York City.
