Shinjiro Otani conscious, unable to move limbs following injury on ZERO1 show

  • Ian Carey
  • By 

Shinjiro Otani remains paralyzed following an injury suffered on a ZERO1 show on Sunday. 

Company president Takahito Kami spoke to Tokyo Sports on Monday and confirmed Otani’s condition remains unchanged.

“It hasn’t changed. He’s conscious, but can’t move his limbs. Currently, he’s being treated by a doctor. As for the official diagnosis, we are waiting for a reply from the hospital.”

The 49-year-old took a German suplex into the turnbuckle during the night’s main event and was unable to move after. The ring ropes were removed, fans were asked to leave, and Otani was eventually stretchered out and taken to hospital. He had been challenging the promotion’s world champion, Takashi Sugiura.

Otani performed for New Japan Pro Wrestling from 1992 until 2001 when he co-founded ZERO1 with Shinya Hashimoto. In 1998, his team with Tatsuhito Takaiwa won Tag Team of the Year in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter awards. Otani was also named the Best Technical Wrestler that same year.