Kota Ibushi’s road back to the ring has hit another major setback. After months of uncertainty over whether his femur would heal enough for him to wrestle again, Ibushi says he now needs another surgery because the plate originally inserted into his leg is apparently too weak.
The Golden Star took to Instagram on August 29 and revealed that the new operation is scheduled for September 17. He hopes this will be the final major surgery he ever has to go through.
“It’s decided‼️ Although I guess you could also say, ‘What was all that about?’… I want this to be the last major surgery of my life.”
The most frustrating part for Ibushi is why another operation is apparently necessary. According to him, he has now been told that the plate inserted during his surgery in the United States wasn’t strong enough, which he says is the reason his femur hasn’t properly healed.
“Apparently, the plate they put in when I had surgery in America is too weak, which is why it hasn’t healed (and they’re only figuring this out now⁉️). So, surgery has been scheduled for September 17 to replace it with a stronger, thicker plate.”
That creates an even bigger question about Ibushi’s wrestling future. He says he has been told that he essentially won’t be able to participate in contact sports, although he still isn’t completely closing the door on somehow making another comeback.
“Apparently, I basically won’t be able to do contact sports, but maybe I’ll be able to make a comeback? Well, either way, I’m okay with it 🙆♂️”
For now, simply getting healthy and eventually living without strong pain medication appears to be the priority. Ibushi has already spent months dealing with the effects of the femur injury, and another surgery means that recovery process isn’t over yet.
“I just hope the day comes when I don’t have to take strong painkillers anymore 😊”
Ibushi certainly hasn’t lost his determination, though. Despite describing himself as “completely broken to pieces,” he finished his update by making it clear that he isn’t giving up.
“Heal!! It will heal! I won’t run away, I won’t lose, I won’t give up!! I’m looking forward to it 😃 I’m completely broken to pieces!”
This comes after Dave Meltzer reported back in June that Ibushi still intended to try wrestling again, but there were serious concerns about whether his balance, lateral movement and ability to change direction would fully return. Any hopes of a quick comeback now appear even further away with another operation scheduled.
Whether Ibushi ever wrestles again is now an even bigger question, but September 17 comes first. He needs another major operation on the femur, and after everything his body has already been through, getting healthy remains the priority.
What do you make of Kota Ibushi needing another surgery and the uncertainty surrounding his wrestling future? Let us know in the comments.
