Shinjiro Otani is a professional wrestler from Japan who is signed to Pro Wrestling Zero1 (Zero1). Otani is also the company’s acting President. It seems he suffered a major injury recently.
The in-ring veteran, suffered a cervical spine injury earlier today at a ZERO-ONE event in Tokyo, Japan. Fans were urged to leave the arena when Otani was stretchered out of the building during his match against Takashi Sugiura. Shinjiro Otani was injured when he took a German suplex into the turnbuckles during the match.
He was able to talk with the referee and medical professionals, but unable to move his limbs, according to reports. When Otani graduated from high school, he had only 60,000 yen in his pocket and had dedicated his life to the sport of professional wrestling.
He came to Tokyo to train at Animal Hamaguchi’s dojo, but he struggled with homelessness and the uncertainty of his wrestling career in his early years. Hamaguchi ultimately obtained him a work at a liquor shop, where he was able to save enough money to locate a respectable place to live and complete his training in time for his debut on June 25, 1992. Otani achieved various exploits in New Japan Pro Wrestling, including becoming the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion, winning the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Titles twice with partner Tatsuhito Takaiwa, and even winning the WCW Cruiserweight Championship during their cross-promotion performances.
Otani continued his success in the ring when he joined Pro Wrestling ZERO-ONE, eventually becoming the promotion’s World Heavyweight Champion. He also held the titles of AWA Superstars of Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion and AWA Superstars of Wrestling World Heavyweight Champion during his stay with the promotion. Keep an eye on Ringside News for update on Shinjiro Otani’s injury.
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