Shota Umino toughed it out.
Shota Umino suffered an ankle injury at the NJPW World Tag League event on November 29. He missed the December 1 event, but he returned to action on December 2. Umino then competed at the rest of the NJPW World Tag League events, as well as the Road to Tokyo Dome tour. He is set to challenge IWGP World Heavyweight Champion Zack Sabre Jr. at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19. Umino is also scheduled to face Claudio Castagnoli at NJPW x AEW Wrestle Dynasty.
Speaking with Proresu-TODAY, Shota Umino was asked about the injury. (Translation via DeepL)
"I was diagnosed with a one-month recovery, but I chose not to miss any matches during that time. I thought it was necessary to know how much I could move with the injury and what kind of movement I could not do in order to win at the Tokyo Dome. The company suggested that I take some time off, but I was more worried about going on the big stage without knowing the status of my ankle. The experience of running through the tag team league while on painkillers for the injury was great, and I feel that my condition is improving day by day. As a professional wrestler, I am most worried about losing the feeling of a match. There is a sense of tension and severity unique to matches that you cannot get from weight training and sparring alone. It was important for me to keep experiencing that in order to maintain myself. In fact, at the G1 Climax, I competed despite having a hiccuped back and fatigue fracture. Regardless of having injuries, I can give 100% of Shota Umino. I will step into the ring with confidence," Umino said.
Shota Umino has made it clear that he wants to face Jon Moxley. Check out his comments here.
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