Latest news with #ShigetoshiKotari
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Two Japanese Boxers On The Same Card Die From Brain Injuries
An unspeakable tragedy hit the boxing world when two Japanese boxers on the same card died following brain injuries suffered during different fights at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Aug. 2. Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, lost consciousness soon after fighting to a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata. On Friday, it was announced he had died after he underwent brain surgery to treat a subdural hematoma, in which blood collects between the skull and brain. "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." Featherweight Hiromasa Urakawa, also 28, suffered brain injuries during his knockout defeat to Yoji Saito. Urakawa underwent a craniotomy to also treat a subdural hematoma but died Saturday. "The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo," the WBO announced Saturday on social media. 'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.' Here's a look at the announcement: Following the Aug. 2 card, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced that all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title bouts would be reduced from 12 rounds to 10. Minoru Hagiwara, the president of the OPBF, expressing condolences for the deaths of Kotari and Urakawa and saying an investigation would take place, according to Japanese media outlet Sponichi. In February, super-featherweight Irish boxer John Cooney died after sustaining an intracranial haemorrhage from his fight with Nathan Howells in Belfast.
New York Times
3 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Two Japanese boxers die from brain injuries after fighting on same card
Two Japanese boxers have died from injuries sustained in separate fights on the same card during an event in Tokyo earlier this month. Shigetoshi Kotari died on Friday, a day before it was announced Hiromasa Urakawa had passed away after both 28-year-olds fought in separate bouts at Korakuen Hall on August 2. Advertisement The Japan Boxing Commission (JBC) said on August 4 that both fighters had undergone surgery for subdural hematoma, a condition where blood collects between the skull and surface of the brain. Mauricio Sulaiman, president of the World Boxing Council (WBC) said on Saturday: 'The boxing world is in shock and deep sorrow for the tragic deaths of two boxers who fought in the same card in Japan. May they rest in peace and their inspiration serve to all to work on finding ways to protect our boxers of the world.' Fighting for the Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) super featherweight title, Kotari drew with Yamato Hata over 12 rounds. The WBC said he lost consciousness after the fight and underwent emergency brain surgery. Rest in peace, Shigetoshi Kotari 🕊️ 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… — WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) August 8, 2025 The WBC added: 'The boxing world mourns the tragic passing of Japanese fighter Shigetoshi Kotari, who succumbed to injuries sustained during his August 2 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.' Urakawa was knocked out in the eighth round of his featherweight fight by Yoji Saito and the JBC said he underwent a craniotomy after being rushed to hospital. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) said it 'mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.' The WBO mourns the passing of Japanese boxer Hiromasa Urakawa, who tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight against Yoji Saito on August 2 at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo. This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from… — WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) August 9, 2025 The WBO added: 'This heartbreaking news comes just days after the passing of Shigetoshi Kotari, who died from injuries suffered in his fight on the same card. We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time.' The JBC later said OPBF bouts will now be fought over 10 rounds, instead of 12. Advertisement Japanese media outlet Sponichi have quoted Minoru Hagiwara, the president of the OPBF, expressing condolences for the deaths of Kotari and Urakawa and saying an investigation would take place. In February, super-featherweight Irish boxer John Cooney, also 28, died after sustaining an intracranial haemorrhage from his fight with Nathan Howells in Belfast. (MATTHIEU DELATY/Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images) Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Play today's puzzle
7NEWS
4 hours ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
Two Japanese boxers die from brain injuries at same event
Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. 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.' Loading content... 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.' 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.
CBC
5 hours ago
- Sport
- CBC
2 Japanese boxers die from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts at same event in Tokyo
Two Japanese boxers have died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same card at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall. Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on Aug. 2. He underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma — 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." 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." In response, the Japan Boxing Commission has announced all OPBF title bouts will now be reduced from 12 rounds to 10.
CBS News
6 hours ago
- Sport
- CBS News
2 Japanese boxers died from brain injuries after separate bouts at the same event
Two Japanese boxers died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts at an event in Tokyo earlier this month. Shigetoshi Kotari, 28, collapsed shortly after completing a 12-round draw against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata on Aug. 2. He underwent emergency brain surgery for a subdural hematoma — a condition where blood collects between the brain and the skull. He 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." On Saturday, 28-year-old Hiromasa Urakawa died after suffering the same injury during a knockout loss to Yoji Daito. 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." Following the event at Tokyo's Korakuen Hall, the Japanese Boxing Commission announced all OPBF title bouts will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10. According to CBS News partner BBC, local media reports that the boxing commission also launched an investigation and is planning a meeting in September to discuss the deaths. These are the latest high-profile boxing deaths in 2025. In February, Irish boxer John Cooney died a week after being taken into intensive care after his Celtic super-featherweight title defeat to Nathan Howells in Belfast. The 28-year-old suffered an intracranial hemorrhage during the bout.
