(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Japanese Boxer Shigetoshi Kotari Passes Away at 28 After Recent Bout
Japanese professional boxer Shigetoshi Kotari tragically passed away on Friday at the age of 28, just six days after his 12-round split draw with Yamato Hata in Tokyo.
Following the match at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall, Kotari lost consciousness and was rushed to the hospital, where doctors diagnosed a brain bleed. According to international media reports, he underwent a craniotomy — a surgical procedure to relieve pressure on the brain — but could not recover.
Hata was also taken to the hospital after the fight to receive medical attention due to the intense nature of the bout.
Kotari began his professional career in the junior lightweight division before moving to lightweight, compiling a career record of 8 wins, 2 losses, and 2 draws, with 5 victories by knockout. Remarkably, all of his professional fights were held at the historic Korakuen Hall.
In a tribute post, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) described him as “a warrior in the ring and a fighter in spirit”.
Before facing Hata, Kotari had competed exclusively in six- and eight-round contests. Following his passing, the Japan Boxing Commission has indicated that it will review and implement enhanced safety measures for fighters, as stated by Secretary-General Tsuyoshi Yasukawa.
