In November, Tetsuya Naito underwent surgery on his right eye to treat paralysis of the upper oblique muscle. The condition was caused by superior oblique muscle palsy.
In a recent interview with NJPW1972.com, Naito revealed that he got six stitches on his eyelid following his title match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18.
Naito defeated SANADA to win the IWGP World Heavyweight Championship at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18.
You can check out some highlights from the interview below:
On needing stitches on both eyes: “Right, my eyelid. We clashed heads when I went for that last Destino. So after the match, I got to the back, gave my comments, went to the trainer’s room and got six stitches. I really didn’t want them and asked if there was another way, but didn’t have a choice. Those stitches hurt like hell. And the anesthetic before- can you imagine getting a shot on your eyelid? But the doctor’s all happy go lucky about it. Actually on the last Korakuen shows of the year I got hit on the other side, and that was three stitches on that eyelid. So I had nine stitches across two eyes within two weeks of one another.”
On how his eye is doing after surgery: “Well, the more you get this, it is diminishing returns. in all honesty, things aren’t right, but they are better than before.”
On the new generation in NJPW: “Whatever sport you follow, that changing of the guard is a fact of life. You can’t resist that, and if it didn’t happen then we wouldn’t move forward as a genre. NJPW needs this and I know I’m not going to be around forever. It’s a little sad to be in my spot, but I can grow from this pressure, it’s something that I never felt before, and that’s exciting.”
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Tetsuya Naito, a professional wrestler from New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), recently underwent surgery on his right eye to treat paralysis of the upper oblique muscle. The condition, known as superior oblique muscle palsy, was caused by an injury sustained during his title match at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 18.
Following the match, Naito revealed in an interview with NJPW1972.com that he had to get six stitches on his eyelid. He explained that during the match, he clashed heads with his opponent when he attempted a move called Destino. After the match, he went to the trainer’s room and received the stitches. Naito expressed his reluctance to get the stitches and asked if there was an alternative, but ultimately had no choice. He described the pain of the stitches and the discomfort of receiving anesthetic shots on his eyelid.
Interestingly, this was not the first time Naito had to get stitches on his eyes within a short period. Prior to his title match, he had received three stitches on the other eyelid after getting hit during a different event. In total, Naito had nine stitches across both eyes within two weeks.
Regarding his eye’s condition after surgery, Naito admitted that while things are not completely back to normal, they have improved compared to before the surgery. He acknowledged that repeated surgeries may have diminishing returns but expressed gratitude for the improvement he has experienced.
In addition to discussing his injury and surgery, Naito also shared his thoughts on the new generation of wrestlers in NJPW. He recognized that change is inevitable in any sport and emphasized the importance of embracing the transition. Naito acknowledged that he won’t be around forever and expressed excitement about the pressure and growth opportunities that come with being in his position.
As fans of NJPW and wrestling in general, it is important to stay updated with the latest news. Websites like eWrestlingNews.com provide comprehensive coverage of wrestling news, including updates on Tetsuya Naito’s recovery and other wrestling-related stories. Additionally, following their social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook can keep fans connected and informed.
In conclusion, Tetsuya Naito’s recent surgery on his right eye to treat paralysis of the upper oblique muscle has shed light on the physical toll that professional wrestling can take on athletes. Despite the challenges, Naito remains optimistic and determined to continue his career while acknowledging the importance of the new generation of wrestlers in NJPW.