NJPW's Kota Ibushi Diagnosed With Aspiration Pneumonia

Get well soon, Golden Star.

by Andy H Murray
Kota Ibushi
NJPW

New Japan Pro Wrestling has pulled Kota Ibushi from three upcoming shows after confirming that the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion is suffering from aspiration pneumonia.

This was announced via NJPW's English-language website, with the release noting that Ibushi's condition is not a product of side effects from his COVID-19 vaccination, as was originally reported. The 39-year-old has tested negative for the virus currently sweeping the planet.

Ibushi, who hasn't wrestled since 2 July, will now miss scheduled shows on 22, 23, and 24 July. Whether or not he takes part in a planned IWGP Title match with champion Shingo Takagi at Wrestle Grand Slam in Tokyo Dome on 25 July will be determined after his recovery is assessed.

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Aspiration pneumonia is an infection caused when germs infect the patient's lungs and airways after something that should have been swallowed has been inhaled. It varies in severity, and there's currently no word on how bad Ibushi's case is.

Here's hoping for a swift recovery for the Golden Star, who won his first IWGP Heavyweight Championship at Wrestle Kingdom 15 in January, then reigned as the inaugural IWGP World Heavyweight Champion before dropping it to Will Ospreay in April.

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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.