NJPW's Kazuchika Okada Reveals Positive COVID-19 Test

NJPW's record-breaking former IWGP Champion has fortunately made a recovery.

by Andy H Murray
Kazuchika Okada
NJPW

Kazuchika Okada has revealed he tested positive for COVID-19.

Per Tokyo Sports, the former IWGP Heavyweight Champion said that he had lost his sense of taste after contracting the virus, as well as feeling ill, but has since recovered.

Okada, 33, was one of several wrestlers pulled from NJPW Wrestling Dontaku's second night on 4 May. The Rainmaker was scheduled to work a tag match, though this was scrapped when two of the participants tested positive for the virus.

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NJPW confirmed a wider COVID-19 outbreak following this news, with a total of nine wrestlers testing positive. This preceded the company cancelling all planned shows through 22 May and one beyond - including the two Wrestle Grand Slam stadium events.

Okada is not scheduled to be part of the ongoing Road to Wrestle Grand Slam tour.

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The last time Okada wrestled was on 3 May, when he teamed with SHO and YOH to face El Desperado, Minoru Suzuki, and Yoshinobu Kanemaru. He had been scheduled to challenge IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Will Ospreay at Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome (29 May), though that event has been shelved and Ospreay has now vacated the belt, seemingly due to injury.

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Andy has been with WhatCulture for six years and is currently WhatCulture's Senior Wrestling Reporter. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.