The family of Shinjiro Otani has provided an update on the physical health of the Japanese pro wrestling legend.
As previously reported, Otani was paralyzed in a match for Zero1 after taking a German suplex during their show on April 10, 2022. He underwent successful surgery on April 13th.
Otani’s family has posted an update to his official website. He is undergoing rehab and treatment, and his respiratory dysfunction has improved, although he remains paralyzed from the neck down. Professional wrestlers such as William Regal and newly-crowned IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI have also donated to assist in Otani’s recovery and treatment.
The full update can be read below:
To all of our supporters
Seven months have passed since Shinjiro Otani suffered a serious cervical spinal cord injury at the Ryogoku Kokugikan Tournament on April 10, 2022. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the many kindnesses and support we have received from many people for Shinjiro during this time.
Since mid-April, we have had several discussions with his family, relatives, related parties, and affiliated organizations about how to support him after his serious injury. We have decided to ask the organization to continue to fulfill its affiliation contract.
Since the announcement of the fund-raising campaign on April 28, we have received many donations and condolences from supporters of Shinjiro Otani and people in the wrestling industry throughout Japan. Six months have passed since the fundraising campaign, and we would like to disclose the following information as of November 20, 2012.
* Total amount of donations received: 26,019,224 yen (donation boxes at venues, use of website, money transfers, and monetary donations)
* 5,791,813 yen (hospitalization, treatment, transportation between hospitals, free medical care, etc.)
* Current fundraising balance: 20,227,411 yen (We will pay for future hospitalization and treatment expenses, etc.)
With the kindness of people all over Japan, Shinjiro Otani is currently undergoing treatment and rehabilitation based on a treatment plan (7 months), and his respiratory dysfunction has improved compared to the early stages of his disease, but unfortunately, there has been little improvement in his complete quadriplegic state (paralyzed from the neck down). In addition, due to the Corona disaster, we have only been able to visit family members and relatives, and have not been able to meet with any company officials, supporters, or players.
Under these difficult circumstances, the hospital has provided him with a device that allows him to operate his phone with his chin, which he strongly requested, and we are sending out daily messages on Twitter expressing our gratitude for everyone’s kindness.
In addition, regarding future treatment and rehabilitation, we will repeatedly discuss with his family and relatives, giving the highest priority to his wishes, and will seek new treatment methods without giving up. Once again, we would like to express our gratitude to all those who have supported Shinjiro Otani and ask for their continued support. He will also be sending his own words of gratitude in the near future.
November 20, 2022
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