Kota Ibushi has opened up about the injury he suffered in the finals of the G1 Climax 31 tournament, noting the possible cause of the dislocation.
The former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion suffered a shoulder injury when performing a Phoenix Splash in the finals against Kazuchika Okada. Ultimately, Referee Red Shoes Unno called for an injury stoppage, and Okada was declared the victor of the match, and the tournament.
In an interview with Tokyo Sports, Ibushi theorised that his injury was due to recent fluctuations in his weight, stating:
“There is a cause for it, weight control. If (his weight) is 100 grams different, (performing the Phoenix Splash) has a completely different (feeling), because it’s such an advanced technique. I was 3 kilograms different than on the day of the KENTA match (18th). I was intentionally increasing (weight) for the championship deciding match, but I think I was tired.
“I also saw the video, but if you look closely, it’s still heavier than usual. Low. The position of the opponent was also close. I tried to fly closer, so I tried not to jump that much.”
“I knew that (his shoulder) had dislocated, but this time there was a lag of about 4 seconds (by the time I noticed). I don’t know if it was because I hit my face or if it was adrenaline. But the moment I moved to get up, the feeling suddenly came.
“I couldn’t move, I thought I couldn’t win anymore, so I made a gesture to Mr. Okada, ‘Please (get the 3 count) cleanly.’ I didn’t know that the match was over, even though it was over. Is it because I hit my face? So I think (Red Shoes) Mr. Unno made an appropriate decision and stopped.”
NJPW provided an update on Ibushi’s condition, stating that he is expected to be out of action for two months.
Following Okada’s G1 Climax victory, The Rainmaker brought back the old IWGP Heavyweight Title design.
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2 years ago by Sanchez Taylor
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