Post by : Meena Ariff

Japanese boxing officials have announced new safety measures to protect fighters following the recent deaths of two boxers, Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa. Both fighters, aged 28, died days after brain surgery due to injuries sustained in separate bouts at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2. The deaths have shocked the boxing community and led to urgent changes to improve safety.

Emergency Meeting Leads to New Safety Rules

The Japan Pro Boxing Association (JPBA), the Japan Boxing Commission (JBC), and gym owners held an emergency meeting on Tuesday to discuss the incidents and introduce new safety rules. The meeting focused on preventing similar tragedies and improving medical support during boxing matches.

JPBA President Shoji Kobayashi called the deaths “really regrettable” and said the new plan aims for “zero accidents” in the sport.

Key Safety Measures to Be Implemented

The new safety rules include:

• Urine tests to check dehydration: Boxers will undergo urine tests before fights to measure dehydration levels. Rapid weight loss, often done by cutting water weight, can lead to dangerous dehydration, making the brain more prone to bleeding during fights.

• Stricter rules on weight loss: Boxers will face tighter controls on how quickly they can lose weight before a match. Rapid weight cutting has been linked to increased risk of brain injury.

• Ambulances required at all bouts: Even smaller fights will now have ambulances on site. These will be linked with nearby hospitals, ready for emergency surgeries related to head injuries.

• Training limits: New guidelines will regulate how close to a fight sparring (practice fighting) can continue, reducing injury risk during training.

Incident Details and Impact on Boxing Rules

Shigetoshi Kotari collapsed after a 12-round Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title fight and later died following brain surgery. After this, the JBC announced that all future OPBF title fights will be shortened from 12 to 10 rounds to reduce risks.

Toshiharu Kayama, a former Japanese welterweight champion, acknowledged that incidents like these might cause some to call for boxing to be stopped. However, he emphasized that boxing associations and gyms are committed to changing and improving the sport’s safety.

Investigation and Future Safety Plans

An accident investigation committee will be formed to study the causes of the deaths and recommend further safety measures. Both the JBC and JPBA plan to hold safety meetings involving doctors and the amateur boxing federation to update safety guidance.

Tsuyoshi Yasukochi, secretary-general of the JBC, stressed that these changes are being made so the deaths of Kotari and Urakawa are not in vain.

Tragic Death of Italian Orienteering Athlete Mattia Debertolis at World Games

In related sports news, Italian orienteering athlete Mattia Debertolis died in hospital after collapsing during the men’s middle-distance race at the World Games in Chengdu, China.

Debertolis was found unconscious during the competition last Friday and was rushed to a hospital known for expert medical care. Despite immediate treatment, he passed away on August 12, 2025.

About Mattia Debertolis and Orienteering

Mattia Debertolis was an elite orienteering athlete who competed in several world championships and World Cup events. Apart from sports, he was pursuing a PhD in civil engineering at a university in Stockholm, Sweden, where he also belonged to the orienteering club IFK Lidingö.

Orienteering is a challenging outdoor sport that requires athletes to navigate unfamiliar terrain with a map and compass, racing against the clock.

Organisers and Community Express Condolences

The International World Games Association, local organising committee, and International Orienteering Federation expressed deep sorrow over Debertolis’ death. They extended their heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and the global orienteering community.

• The cause of his collapse and death has not been disclosed.