Japanese wrestling luminary Antonio Inoki has revealed that he has been hospitalised due to an ongoing concern with his lower back.
Inoki, who founded New Japan Pro Wrestling in 1972, tweeted about his condition and requested support from his fanbase:
腰の治療の為にしばらく入院致します。
必ず元気になって戻って来ますので、応援よろしくお願い致します。
アントニオ猪木 pic.twitter.com/fjzp24i7bV— アントニオ猪木 (@Inoki_Kanji) January 15, 2021
Inoki reportedly underwent surgery on his lower back in 2018 and has been using a wheelchair ever since.
Having spent two stints in Japanese politics, the WWE Hall of Famer announced his retirement from the Japanese Diet in 2019, with speculation around his health cited as the probably rationale.
Inoki, who once famously competed against Muhammad Ali in a mixed rules ‘fight’, has in recent years dedicated his time towards water plasma research – a potential treatment.
In 2019, he cited his concerns about retirement and noted his relief in the research becoming a new source of inspiration and drive.