Pro wrestler and former PRIDE FC veteran Yoshihiro Takayama, best known for his relentless brawl with Don Frye at PRIDE 21 in 2002 (Fight of the Year), was injured this past May in a wrestling event in Japan. During the match he suffered a spinal cord injury and has been hospitalized since. Reports out today in a Japanese newspaper say that Takayama has become a quadriplegic as a result of the accident which is horrible news. http://middleeasy.com/mma-news/mma-...hihiro-takayama-paralyzed-wrestling-accident/
Meltzer has confirmed this news. Takayama can talk but can't move below his neck. Thankfully this happened in Japan where he will have access to good health care. It will still be a tough road ahead for him and his family. If you're not familiar- after his fight with Frye YT got a reputation as being a tough SOB (he is) and worked a stiff (hard) style of pro wrestling for the next 15-years. They are saying he was injured doing a sunset flip but if we're being honest he was probably banged the hell up after so many years taking bumps. It is really sad but by the same token not totally an accident.
I guess somebody told Don that Yoshihiro is contemplating assisted suicide? Damn. Don Frye bids farewell in the video below.
