By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Tragedy struck at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall when two Japanese boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa, both 28, died from brain injuries sustained in separate bouts on the same card. Kotari died on Friday after suffering a subdural hematoma during a 12-round draw, while Urakawa succumbed to the same injury following a knockout loss on Saturday. In response to these devastating events, the Japanese Boxing Commission has mandated that all OPBF title bouts will be shortened from 12 to 10 rounds.
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Two Japanese boxers die from brain injuries at the same event. It’s a stark reminder, isn’t it? Of the inherent risks involved in a sport where the primary objective is to inflict damage on another person. It’s almost like a tragic, unavoidable consequence of the very nature of boxing. It forces us to confront the reality of brain injuries, a silent epidemic that affects so many people, and the devastating impact it can have on their lives.
I’ve worked with people who have suffered from brain injuries, and it quickly becomes apparent how widespread the issue is. Many of us are walking around with undiagnosed or unacknowledged injuries, sometimes from seemingly minor incidents like whiplash. The long-term effects can be truly debilitating, and they’re not always obvious. Seeing the appeal of sports like UFC, but also recognizing the significant brain damage these athletes endure makes it difficult to reconcile. It’s a constant trade-off between the spectacle and the physical cost.
Boxing, at its core, aims to inflict brain damage. It’s right there in the rules. The goal is to land blows that result in a knockout, and sometimes, as we saw with these two Japanese boxers, the consequences are tragic. This fundamental premise, the intentional causing of head trauma, makes it hard to view it as anything other than a high-risk activity. It’s a blood sport, and as the saying goes, blood follows.
The details of the event are what truly bring the gravity of the situation to light. The death of two athletes at the same event underscores the inherent danger of the sport. The intensity, the competition, the relentless pursuit of victory – all of these factors contribute to a dangerous environment where brain injuries can be devastating. It highlights the need for a deeper understanding of the risks, and the potential long-term implications for these athletes.
We can think about the mechanics of the injuries. Often, a concussion is something you can just walk off or ignore. If it’s not treated, or if you don’t follow the guidelines to heal, it can affect you more than you think. I heard about a friend who was an intelligent person, and then after multiple concussions, their personality was just completely changed. It’s a sobering reminder of the fragility of the human brain. The immediate trauma is often just the beginning.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in the excitement of the sport. The athleticism, the skill, the drama – all those things make boxing appealing. However, seeing what can happen in the long term – watching someone’s brain suffer is a very hard choice. A sport where the *goal* is to hit someone in the head is a hard pill to swallow.
The issue is the culture surrounding the sport. In Japan, the “bushido mentality” is prominent, and the fighters’ dedication is extreme. They want to keep fighting, even when they are severely injured. The corners rarely throw in the towel, which means that the fighters are exposed to higher levels of brain damage.
Even small changes can make a difference, though. The Japanese Boxing Federation has already taken steps to improve safety by reducing the number of rounds. There needs to be more changes, though, to shift the culture. A reduction in rounds is helpful, like lowering the speed limit to save lives, but it’s a minimal step.
We need to consider what a brain injury can involve. Things like concussions may go unnoticed. Some of the less obvious injuries can affect things like personality, which can be big. Some may get a concussion and just walk it off, and not seek treatment. They are told to rest, but that’s about it.
The reality is this sport is brutal. It is a combination of skill, but also an inherent risk. There is a lot of head trauma. In general, people don’t take care of themselves the way they should. The cumulative effects can be significant. If you have multiple concussions, a doctor may order an MRI. This can help. But you must seek a doctor, and be honest.
In MMA, the chance for submission and grappling can limit the head trauma, even though there are still countless blows to the head during that time. Boxing still has deaths every year. UFC hasn’t had any deaths, however, how many fighters are going to have CTE?
Overall, it’s crucial to acknowledge the long-term health consequences for athletes. The focus needs to be on safety and well-being. I don’t want to support a sport that is solely based on hurting your opponents.