Naito Perseverance: A Wrestling Warrior Battles Through Vision Impairment
Tetsuya Naito, the charismatic grappler known for his aggressive fighting style and captivating presence, faces a personal challenge unlike any he’s encountered in the ring. As he prepares to square off against Hiromu Takahashi at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 19, Naito is set to undergo surgery on his left eye on December 18th. This procedure marks another chapter in his ongoing battle with vision impairment, a struggle he’s quietly endured for years.
While fans and commentators often focus on Naito’s physical resilience in the face of injuries, particularly his knees, the wrestler candidly reveals that his eye issues are even more disruptive to his performance. "People often talk about my knees, but honestly, my eye is the bigger issue," Naito recently revealed.
“When I look down, I see both a flat surface and a slanted one. Running in such a distorted view is challenging — I can’t trust my footing, my opponent looks like two people, and I struggle with depth perception in certain environments. It’s been incredibly stressful, as I can’t fully focus on matches.”
This surgery, aimed at aligning his vision, offers a glimmer of hope. The procedure involves adjusting his healthy eye to match the impaired one, with the goal of synchronizing his overall vision. However, the process fills him with trepidation. “Apparently, there’s a method to align the vision of both eyes by adjusting the healthy eye to match the impaired one. This would help synchronize my overall vision. It sounded risky and made me very anxious, so I postponed it. But with the match against Hiromu now confirmed, I’ve decided to go through with it.”
This will be Naito’s fourth eye surgery, following three previous procedures on his right eye. His last surgery took place in November 2022, demonstrating his ongoing dedication to managing this challenging condition.
Naito’s unwavering commitment to his craft shines through his decision to move forward with the surgery just weeks before one of the biggest events in professional wrestling. His grit and determination to overcome this obstacle exemplify the spirit that has made him a fan favorite and a celebrated figure in the sport.
The win against Takahashi in the World Tag League on December 8th emboldens Naito. It showcases his resilience and underlines his unwavering commitment to excel despite the odds. As he steps into the ring at Wrestle Kingdom, determined fans worldwide will undoubtedly rally behind him, cheering on his relentless pursuit of victory and marveling at his unwavering will.
How does Naito’s superior oblique palsy affect his wrestling performance?
## Naito Perseverance: A Wrestling Warrior Battles Through Vision Impairment
**(Host):** Welcome back to the show. Tonight, we’re diving deep into the inspiring story of Tetsuya Naito, a true warrior both in and out of the ring. Joining us to discuss Naito’s ongoing battle with vision impairment is wrestling journalist, Alex Reed. Welcome to the show.
**(Alex Reed):** Thanks for having me.
**(Host):** Naito has been open about the challenges he faces with his vision, especially leading up to his massive Wrestle Kingdom 19 match against Hiromu Takahashi. Can you give our viewers some context on his condition?
**(Alex Reed):** Absolutely. Naito has been dealing with superior oblique palsy, a condition affecting his right eye, since 2019. This causes double vision and makes it difficult for him to judge distances accurately, which is crucial in wrestling. He’s already undergone three surgeries to try and correct the issue, the most recent being just last November. [ [1](https://www.postwrestling.com/2023/11/08/tetsuya-naito-discharged-from-hospital-after-undergoing-successful-eye-surgery/) ]
**(Host):** That’s incredible. He’s shown incredible resilience, even considering the challenges.
**(Alex Reed):** He truly has. While his knee injuries get a lot of attention, Naito himself has admitted that his eye problem is actually the bigger obstacle, stating that it affects his performance more severely.
**(Host):** And now he’s facing another surgery on his left eye in December. What can you tell us about that?
**(Alex Reed):** We don’t know the specifics of the procedure yet. However, it’s clear Naito is determined to keep pushing forward. Despite these setbacks, he continues to perform at a high level and remains one of the biggest draws in NJPW.
**(Host):** It’s truly inspiring to see him overcome these obstacles. What message do you think his story sends to other athletes and fans struggling with similar challenges?
**(Alex Reed):** Naito embodies the spirit of never giving up. He shows us that even when facing adversity, you can find a way to not just compete, but to thrive. His dedication and courage are a testament to the human spirit.
**(Host):** Wise words. Thank you so much for shedding light on Tetsuya Naito’s incredible journey, Alex Reed.
