Wrestling & MMA Legend Yoshihiro Takayama Paralyzed From Neck Down

Incredibly sad reports have emerged from Japan claiming wrestling and MMA legend Yoshihiro Takayama was paralyzed following a wrestling routine which went wrong

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer claimed Takayama can still speak but is completely incapacitated from the neck down. Takayama reportedly suffered the injury following a botched attempt at a “sunset flip” during a wrestling match back in May.

Takayama holds legendary status as a wrestler in Japan, having won a series of accolades during a career which stretched over 25 years. Takayama is better known to Mixed Martial Arts fans for his legendary bout with Don Frye in Pride all the way back in 2002.

Following an MMA career which failed to take off in the early 2000’s, Takayama returned to the sport in 2013 and picked up his first pro win at the age of 46, KO’ing Hikaru Sato at U-Spirits-Again.