Tetsuya Naito, the celebrated New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star, is preparing to undergo his fourth eye surgery just ahead of his highly anticipated match at NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 19. The announcement came after Naito, alongside Hiromu Takahashi, secured victory at the NJPW World Tag League on December 8. Naito has agreed to face Takahashi at the major event, but before the bout, he will undergo a crucial procedure aimed at improving his vision.
In an interview, Naito disclosed that the upcoming surgery, scheduled for December 18, is an emergency procedure to address his long-standing vision issues. The 41-year-old wrestler has battled eye problems for nearly two decades, having previously undergone three surgeries on his right eye. The latest surgery took place in November 2022.
The upcoming procedure will focus on realigning Naito’s vision in both eyes, which has become increasingly problematic. Despite his previous hesitations, Naito has now decided to proceed with the surgery after years of struggling with impaired sight.
Addressing the impact of his vision issues, Naito explained the challenges he faces in the ring. “People often talk about my knee, but my eye is more serious,” he remarked. “When I look at the ground, I see two different kinds of ground, one flat and one slanted. Because I am running with such vision, my feet are dazed, my opponents look like two people, and depending on the location, it is difficult to get a sense of distance. It was very stressful because I could not concentrate 100% on the game alone.”
Naito had initially been advised by doctors not to undergo more than three surgeries on his right eye, while surgery on his left eye was deemed too risky. However, after much consideration, he has made the decision to take a chance in hopes of restoring his vision.
Naito admitted to feeling nervous about the upcoming surgery but remains hopeful that it could lead to a full recovery, allowing him to compete at his best in the upcoming Wrestle Kingdom 19 event.
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