TOKYO: A 39-year-old Japanese amateur boxer remains in a coma after undergoing emergency brain surgery earlier this month, raising fresh alarms over boxing safety in Japan. The Japan Boxing Federation (JBF) confirmed on Friday that the fighter has not regained consciousness since collapsing during training on August 8.
According to officials, the unnamed boxer became unresponsive after three rounds of sparring in Tokyo. He was rushed to hospital where doctors performed life-saving brain surgery. The athlete, who had not fought professionally for more than a decade, was preparing for a comeback. He remains in intensive care.
“We are praying he recovers as quickly as possible,” JBF president Tatsuya Nakama said in a statement.
Tragedies Spark Safety Concerns in Japanese Boxing
The incident comes just weeks after the deaths of two young professional fighters — Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28 — who sustained fatal injuries in separate bouts in Tokyo on August 2. Their passing has cast a harsh spotlight on the sport’s safety standards.
In response, Japanese boxing authorities have held a series of emergency meetings and pledged to enforce stricter safety regulations to protect athletes and restore confidence among fans and families.
Growing Calls for Reform
Experts warn that repeated tragedies could damage boxing’s reputation in Japan unless urgent reforms are introduced. Stricter medical checks, enhanced ringside safety protocols, and improved post-fight monitoring are being discussed as part of the reforms. For now, the boxing community waits anxiously as the unnamed amateur fighter continues his battle for life.
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