Kota Ibushi Hospitalised After Suffering Multiple Injuries

Kota Ibushi has been taken to hospital following his first match of 2024.

On January 2nd, Kota Ibushi returned to Pro Wrestling NOAH to take on Naomichi Marufuji in the main event of the company’s New Year spectacular. However, after struggling badly during the match, Ibushi was taken to hospital after working through injuries to both ankles.

Ahead of the match, the star revealed he’d already sustained a broken right hand and left ankle.

It’s been reported that Ibushi managed to make it backstage under his own steam, but was in too much pain to cut a post-match promo, and an ambulance was called. According to Sports Hochi, the star sustained the second ankle injury early in the match but battled through to grab the win over Marufuji in a little over 33 minutes.

Kota Ibushi Almost Retired Before Landing AEW Deal

By 2021, Kota Ibushi had cemented his place as one of the best wrestlers in the world and looked set to dominate New Japan Pro-Wrestling for years to come. However, disaster struck during that year’s G1 Climax Tournament when the star sustained a serious shoulder injury while attempting to hit a Phoenix Splash during his match in the finals against Kazuchika Okada.

Ibushi wouldn’t return to the ring for 18 months, stepping back into competition at Bloodsport 9 before eventually agreeing a deal with AEW.

Speaking ahead of his match with Marufuji, Kota Ibushi revealed he contemplated retirement during his lengthy absence, but admitted he had no plans to hang up his boots.

Everyone at TJR Wrestling wishes Kota Ibushi a speedy recovery.