Latest news with #braininjuries
BreakingNews.ie
18 hours ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Researchers express concern about unsafe attitudes to concusson among rugby players in Ireland
A new medical study has expressed concern about unsafe attitudes to concussion among non-professional rugby players in Ireland, particularly at school level. Research on the knowledge and attitudes of rugby players in clubs and schools in the Republic to concussion and related brain injuries also identified some gaps in relation to coma and the symptoms of concussion. Advertisement The authors of the study said it was 'somewhat concerning' that 35 per cent of school players said they would continue to play a sport while also having a headache that resulted from a minor concussion. In contrast, only 14 per cent of club players held the same view. While all players were generally knowledgeable about concussion, the study identified 'a significant knowledge gap' about chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) – a progressive brain disease linked to repeated concussion. The views and attitudes of over 520 IRFU-registered rugby players from 17 clubs and five schools were surveyed as part of the research. According to an Irish Rugby Injury Surveillance Report, concussion is the most common injury diagnosed in non-professional men's and women's rugby clubs in Ireland. Advertisement Under current IRFU protocols, players should immediately leave a game if they suffer a suspected concussion. The research team from UCC's School of Medicine and Cork University Hospital said it was evident that the attitude of some players to concussion is still influenced by important matches. The survey revealed that 11 per cent of school players claimed they personally felt a concussed player should return to play during a semi-final game compared to four per cent of club players. Similarly, 20 per cent of school players said most athletes would feel a concussed player should resume playing in such a scenario compared to nine per cent of club players. Advertisement Another finding showed seven per cent of school players felt concussions were less important than other injuries but just three per cent of club players held the same view. Overall, rugby players in Ireland were able to identify concussion signs and symptoms correctly 78 per cent of the time. However, the research revealed that approximately a third of both club and school players incorrectly believed that wearing a scrum cap can prevent a player from getting CTE. The survey also highlighted that 42 per cent of both groups incorrectly believed that symptoms of CTE can be witnessed immediately following a concussion. Advertisement There are approximately 20,000 registered club players of rugby in the Republic as well as 22,600 school players. The study, whose findings are published in the Irish Journal of Medical Science, was designed to explore the impact of gender, playing level, experience and concussion history on knowledge and attitude to concussion and evidence linking CTE to head injuries. It noted that available data indicated a high prevalence of players continuing to play rugby despite being aware of their concussion as well as a tendency to intentionally avoid seeking medical attention after a suspected concussion, particularly during high-pressure or 'important' games. Almost 9 out of 10 respondents said they had received previous education about concussion. Advertisement However, only eight per cent said they have received prior information about CTE, while 76 per cent were largely unfamiliar with the disease. The survey found 46 per cent of club players had experienced a medically diagnosed concussion at least once in their playing career with 16% recording three or more diagnosed concussions. Among school players, 41 per cent had experienced a medically diagnosed concussion with four per cent having three or more diagnosed concussions. Only 26 per cent of club players and 30 per cent of school players never had a suspected previous concussion. The study found club players scored significantly higher than school players in relation to knowledge about concussion and correctly identifying signs and symptoms of concussion. However, it also found that some common misconceptions exist among both groups including statements relating to experiencing coma. Just 15 per cent of club players and 11 per cent of school players correctly answered that an athlete who gets knocked out after getting a concussion is experiencing a coma. The survey found no significant difference between male and female players apart from safe attitudes to concussion where females scored significantly higher. There were also no significant differences between the groups based on years of playing experience. The authors of the report said the results, when compared to similar previous studies, suggested there had been a positive shift in the attitudes of rugby players in Ireland towards a safer approach overall. They claimed such a finding might reflect the IRFU's ongoing efforts to promote safer practices at both club and school levels. The study recommended that renewed educational efforts should highlight that specific circumstances and perceived importance of a game should not be factors that influence a player's decision to keep playing after a suspected concussion. It called on the IRFU to integrate up-to-date, evidence-based information on the disease into existing education resources and for coaches and other key personnel to be supported and encouraged to proactively convey this information to players. The study concluded: 'Players showed good concussion knowledge, indicating other factors such as the desire to play, performance pressure and the lack of awareness of long-term risk may still contribute to unsafe attitudes.'
The Guardian
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Guardian
‘Irreparable loss': Two Japanese boxers on same card die from brain injuries
Hiromasa Urakawa has become the second boxer to die from brain injuries sustained at the same event in Tokyo. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) announced the death of Japanese boxer Urakawa at the age of 28 on Sunday following a bout with Yoji Saito on 2 August. It occurred days after Shigetoshi Kotari, who fought out a draw with Yamato Hata on the same card in Tokyo, died due to injuries to his brain. '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,' a WBO statement read. '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.' Lightweight Urakawa fought 14 times as a professional (10-4, 7KOs), while Tokyo featherweight Kotari contested 12 bouts (8-2-2, 5KOs). The Japanese Boxing Commission has since announced all Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation title fights will be reduced from 12 rounds to 10. Another boxer, 28-year-old Irish super-featherweight fighter John Cooney, died of a brain injury this year after being stopped in his first Celtic title defence in February.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Two Boxers Die At 28 Following Their Fights
Two Boxers Die At 28 Following Their Fights originally appeared on The Spun. Boxing remains an incredibly dangerous sport. A tragic story out of the sport is making that extremely clear this weekend. A night of boxing turned tragic in Japan this month. Two boxers, both aged 28, died in horrible tragedies following a weekend of fighting. They both succumbed to brain injuries. Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both in their late 20s, suffered fatal brain injuries following their fights this month. The World Boxing Organization paid tributes to the two fighters on social media following the tragic news out of the boxing world. Tributes are pouring in for them, as well. Kotari reportedly collapsed after his fight against Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation junior lightweight champion Yamato Hata. He suffered a traumatic brain injury and underwent emergency surgery. However, he tragically died. Meanwhile, Urakawa lost to Yoji Saito in a knockout. He also suffered a fatal brain injury and died, despite undergoing emergency surgery. The World Boxing Organization is deeply saddened. "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 with his family, team, and the entire Japanese boxing community," they wrote. "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 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." Our thoughts are with their friends and family members following this tragic occurrence this weekend. Two Boxers Die At 28 Following Their Fights first appeared on The Spun on Aug 11, 2025 This story was originally reported by The Spun on Aug 11, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
2 days ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Two 28-year-old boxers die from brain injuries suffered on same Japanese fight card
Tragedy struck the Japanese boxing world as two boxers died from injuries suffered in their fights that were on the same exact card. Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, each suffered brain injuries that resulted in their untimely deaths. Kotari 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. Urakawa suffered a knockout loss to Yoji Saito, and he, too, had to undergo a brain operation, a craniotomy, in an attempt to save his life. "We extend our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community during this incredibly difficult time," the World Boxing Organization said on social media. 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. A boxer from Nigeria also died after collapsing in the ring during a fight in April.
Free Malaysia Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- Free Malaysia Today
2 Japanese boxers die at same Tokyo event
Hiromasa Urakawa was stopped in the eighth and final round of his bout before tragically succumbing to his injuries. (Instagram pic/WBO) TOKYO : Two boxers in Japan have died from brain injuries they incurred in separate bouts during the same event in Tokyo, officials said. Super featherweight Shigetoshi Kotari and lightweight Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, fought on the same card in Tokyo's Korakuen Hall on Aug 2. Both were later rushed to hospital where they had brain surgery. Kotari, who battled to a draw after 12 rounds against fellow Japanese fighter Yamato Hata lost consciousness soon after and 'passed away at 10.59pm on Aug 8', his MT boxing gym said on its website yesterday. 'He did his best to fight his way through the surgery and treatment he had been receiving at a Tokyo hospital due to acute subdural haematoma,' the gym's post said. Urakawa was stopped in the eighth and final round against Yoji Saito and 'tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight', the World Boxing Organization (WBO) said in an Instagram post today. Urakawa died last night, according to local media reports. '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, adding it extends 'our deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community.' Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the Japan Boxing Commission, told local media after their hospitalisation that it was likely 'the first time in Japan two fighters underwent skull-opening surgery for injuries stemming from the same event'.
