Two boxers die from brain injuries at same event
Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on August 2.
He underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural haematoma — a condition where blood collects between the brain and skull – but died on Friday.
'Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari,' the World Boxing Organization wrote on social media. 'The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2nd title fight.
'A warrior in the ring. A fighter in spirit. Gone too soon. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community.'
If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
On Saturday, fellow 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa died after suffering the same injury during a knockout loss to Yoji Saito. He had undergone a craniotomy in an attempt to save his life.
'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card,' the WBO said in another social media post on Saturday. 'We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.'
If you'd like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.
In response, the Japanese Boxing Commission has announced all OPBF title bouts will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.
Earlier this year, Irish boxer John Cooney died a week after being taken into intensive care following his Celtic super-featherweight title defeat to Nathan Howells in Belfast.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Perth Now
12 hours ago
- Perth Now
Soccer players admit A-League corrupt bets
Two Japanese soccer players have admitted they engaged in corrupt conduct by placing bets on one man receiving yellow cards during A-League games. Riku Danzaki, 25, and his co-offender Yuta Hirayama, 27, faced the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday where they each pleaded guilty to seven betting corruption charges. Together the pair placed bets on Danzaki, then a midfielder for Western United, to receive a caution during four top-level games in April and May this year. Outlining the case, prosecutor Alex Turner said they pair had met and become friends in Brisbane while playing soccer for different teams. Danzaki deliberately received a yellow card during the A-League elimination final on May 9. Supplied. Credit: Supplied Danzaki had emigrated to Australia and joined the Brisbane Roar A-League side in November 2020, while Hirayama arrived in January that year and played for several sides in the Football Queensland Premier League. Danzaki moved to Victoria to join Western United in July 2023 and his mate followed a year later, last playing for the Bayside Argonauts. The court was told the pair cooked up a scheme for Hirayama to place bets on Danzaki receiving a yellow card, through which the duo won nearly $16,000. After bets were placed, Mr Turner said Danzaki deliberately received a yellow card for reckless tackles during an April 27 match against Sydney FC and a May 9 match up with Adelaide United. Mr Turner told the court bets were placed for Danzaki to be carded on a May 4 match with Auckland FC but, despite two dangerous tackles at the 64th and 67th minutes, he only received warnings from the referee. 'At the 72nd minute Danzaki was substituted out of the match and replaced,' the prosecutor said. The court was told Danzaki was ashamed and remorseful. NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Turner said the substitute, Abel Walatee, received a yellow card in the 79th minute and Bet365 paid out the bets. 'There is no allegation or suggestion Mr Walatee was complicit or involved in the offending,' Mr Turner said. The two men attempted to place a $1000 bet on a fourth match, the May 22 semi-final against Melbourne City FC, but the bet was rejected and Danzaki did not attempt to get a yellow card. Mr Turner told the court police were notified of suspicious betting activity on May 21 and Victoria Police's Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit launched a probe. The two men were arrested on May 30 and provided 'full admissions' to the crime, he said. Danzaki's lawyer Lewis Winter told the court his client was profoundly ashamed, embarrassed and remorseful. 'He accepts he's undermined the integrity of the A-league competition and he's undermined the integrity of these gambling markets,' he said. 'My client recognises he's made a mistake which will have implications, perhaps severe implications, for his sporting career.' Danzaki with Lewis Winter. NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Winter told the court Danzaki has a wife and young daughter who had returned to Japan and his goal was to join them as soon as possible. Describing the offending as 'very foolish' and 'out of character', Mr Winter explained Mr Danzaki had been under financial and personal stress from his job and young family. He told the court Western United, which has had its licence revoked by Football Australia at the weekend, was not paying their players on time and not paying superannuation due to 'quite significant financial strain'. 'My client accepts and recognises he has dishonoured himself and dishonoured his family,' he said. 'He recognises his career is in jeopardy.' Hirayama's lawyer, Molly Deighton, echoed Mr Winter's submissions, saying her client had taken full responsibility and pleaded guilty at a very early stage. She told the court her client had been playing at the amateur level in Victoria and was earning about $700 a game, working as food delivery driver to support himself. The lawyer told the court her client made the 'very poor decision' to engage in the corrupt betting after a hamstring injury left him unable to play soccer for two months in March. Hirayama hopes to remain in Australia. NewsWire / Nadir Kinani Credit: News Corp Australia Ms Deighton said her client recognises his behaviour was unacceptable and had since moved onto a student visa and was hoping to remain in Australia. 'He too is unsure if he will be able to play soccer again, certainly at a paid level that remains unlikely at this stage,' she said. Magistrate Nick Goodenough indicated he would not be jailing the two men for the offending. They will return to court on August 22 for sentencing.
The Age
13 hours ago
- The Age
Irish import returns for wet-track test at Newcastle
Bred to be high class, and already with a smart win on his Australian debut, emerging five-year-old Inncourt is set to steal the show at Thursday's Newcastle meeting. The lightly raced gelding from the Matthew Smith stable at Warwick Farm returns in a Class 1 Hcp over 1400m, nine weeks after he captured attention with a storming win at Wyong. Settling near last in a Super Maiden over 1200m, Inncourt exploded home from the turn to win narrowly, and punters didn't miss out backing him from $4.40 into a $2.40 favourite. That was his first run Down Under, and coming 13 months after making a low-key debut in a mile race at Leopardstown in Ireland. Given one heavy track trial before Wyong, Inncourt's win on a soft 6 rating had all wondering whether they'd seen an early candidate for some much bigger spring races over the mile and beyond. Loading Certainly, that belief would not have been tarnished watching a 1200m trial at Randwick on a heavy 9 only a week ago. After working across from a wide barrier, Inncourt cruised around under a good hold, and was only collared in the last few strides by tough stayer Birdman, a group 2 place-getter from the autumn. Inncourt comes through a powerful Irish sire line being by multiple winner Inns Of Court, a son of group 1 winner and world-class producer Invincible Spirit.
Sydney Morning Herald
13 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Irish import returns for wet-track test at Newcastle
Bred to be high class, and already with a smart win on his Australian debut, emerging five-year-old Inncourt is set to steal the show at Thursday's Newcastle meeting. The lightly raced gelding from the Matthew Smith stable at Warwick Farm returns in a Class 1 Hcp over 1400m, nine weeks after he captured attention with a storming win at Wyong. Settling near last in a Super Maiden over 1200m, Inncourt exploded home from the turn to win narrowly, and punters didn't miss out backing him from $4.40 into a $2.40 favourite. That was his first run Down Under, and coming 13 months after making a low-key debut in a mile race at Leopardstown in Ireland. Given one heavy track trial before Wyong, Inncourt's win on a soft 6 rating had all wondering whether they'd seen an early candidate for some much bigger spring races over the mile and beyond. Loading Certainly, that belief would not have been tarnished watching a 1200m trial at Randwick on a heavy 9 only a week ago. After working across from a wide barrier, Inncourt cruised around under a good hold, and was only collared in the last few strides by tough stayer Birdman, a group 2 place-getter from the autumn. Inncourt comes through a powerful Irish sire line being by multiple winner Inns Of Court, a son of group 1 winner and world-class producer Invincible Spirit.
