Two professional boxers in Japan, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, have died from brain injuries sustained during separate bouts at the same event in Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2.
Both 28-year-olds were hospitalized and underwent brain surgery following their fights.
Kotari, a super featherweight, fought to a 12-round draw against fellow Japanese boxer Yamato Hata but lost consciousness shortly afterward. According to a statement from his M.T Boxing Gym, he passed away at 10:59 p.m. on August 8 due to acute subdural haematoma, despite undergoing surgery and intensive treatment in a Tokyo hospital.
Urakawa, competing in the lightweight category, was stopped in the eighth and final round of his fight against Yoji Saito. The World Boxing Organisation (WBO) confirmed in an Instagram post on Sunday that he “tragically succumbed to injuries sustained during his fight,” passing away on Saturday night. The organization also expressed its “deepest condolences to the families, friends, and the Japanese boxing community,” noting the proximity of his death to Kotari’s.
Japan Boxing Commission Secretary-General Tsuyoshi Yasukochi told local media that this is likely the first time in Japan that two fighters from the same event required skull-opening surgery due to in-ring injuries.
What You Should Know
Two Japanese boxers—Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa—died within days of each other after sustaining brain injuries during separate bouts on the same fight card in Tokyo.
Kotari collapsed after a 12-round draw, while Urakawa was stopped in the final round of his match. Both underwent emergency brain surgery but did not survive.
Officials say it may be the first such double tragedy in Japan’s boxing history.
