In an interview with Tokyo Sports, Tetsuya Naito confirmed he is not hanging his boots up just yet.
“Some people may be under the wrong impression but I’m not retiring or anything like that. First of all, I want to take the time to maintain my body and then I want to move on to the next stage. I want to continue preparing for the next stage while undergoing various treatments,” he said.
Naito also verified that he is suffering from paralysis of the superior oblique muscle in his right eye and has had three surgeries. It is why he has been seeing double. Last year, he was also diagnosed with suspected bilateral superior oblique muscle paralysis and has undergone surgery for that.
“Until now, I could only see to the left when looking straight ahead, but after the surgery at the end of the year, I can now see to the right as well. So I can see very well to the left and right. However, when it comes to up and down, I still see double, so the next surgery will be to improve my up and down vision. I think that once this surgery is done, I will be able to see quite well, so I’m looking forward to it,” he told Tokyo Sports.
Naito is looking forward to what the future has in store for him.
“I think it’s typical of me to just take the plunge even though nothing has been decided. I think that’s why the possibilities are so wide open. There are both exciting and anxious parts, but I want to be able to say that I made the right decision,” he said.
Naito and his LIJ stablemate Bushi both wrestled their last match for NJPW during day two of Wrestling Dontaku over the weekend.
Top Photo: Tetsuya Naito and Bushi at Wrestling Dontaku. Courtesy: NJPW.
