Report: Japanese Star Yoshihiro Takayama Paralyzed from Spinal Injury

Yoshihiro Takayama was one of the most famous wrestlers in Japan for many years.

Yoshihiro Takayama, one of the most well-known Japanese wrestlers of the past decade, has suffered devastating complications following a spinal injury on May 9^th of this year. Reports indicate that complications of that injury have actually led to Takayama being paralyzed.

Though not a well-known name here in North America, Takayama is something of a legend in his native Japan. He has performed for numerous promotions all across Japan since he debuted back in 1992.

Since then, he has amassed an impressive collection of championships and achievements, including becoming one of only two men (the other being Kensuke Sasaki) to hold all three of Japan’s biggest world championships: AJPW’s Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, NJPW’s IWGP Heavyweight Championship, and NOAH’s GHC Heavyweight Championship.

Takayama is also known for being one of the toughest wrestlers alive, due to his penchant for being able to absorb immense amounts of punishment. Aside from spending many years being slammed hard onto his upper shoulders, Takayama is best known for his MMA fight against Don Frye at Pride 21. In that fight, both Frye and Takayama threw punches at each other for an incredible amount of time while blocking very little. It seemed that no matter how many direct hits Frye scored, Takayama wouldn’t go down.

At this point, the only thing that’s known is that the spinal injury appears to have stemmed from an errant sunset flip. If true, then this truly is an unfortunate way for Takayama, now 50, to end his career. Though not always the most technical of wrestlers, Takayama knew how to bring that ‘big fight feel’ to a match and make everything he did feel important.

On behalf of the entire community here at Daily DDT, we wish Yoshihiro Takayama a speedy recovery.

Home/Rumors