Hirooki Goto is out of the G1 Climax due to injury.
NJPW has stated that the former IWGP World Heavyweight Champion will miss this year’s tournament after sustaining an elbow injury against Zack Sabre Jr. at the Tanahashi Jam event last weekend.
After medical evaluation through the week, it has been determined that Hirooki Goto, who missed July 4’s New Japan Soul card as a result of an elbow injury sustained at Tanahashi Jam on June 29, will be unable to compete in the G1 Climax 35 tournament, and currently has no set date for a return.
We apologise to fans looking forward to seeing Goto wrestle, and appreciate your understanding.
The vacant spot will be determined this Sunday at the New Japan Soul event with a four-man “Play-In Gauntlet Match” involving Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi, Chase Owens & Satoshi Kojima.
As a result of Goto’s withdrawal from the tournament, his spot in A Block will be determined by a Last Chance Play-In Gauntlet Match on July 6 in Korakuen Hall. After defeats in each of their prior play-in matches, Tomohiro Ishii, Taichi, Satoshi Kojima and Chase Owens will compete in the gauntlet, wherein a random opening pairing will start, and after a wrestler is defeated, the next entrant will take their place until one remains. That winner will complete the G1 Climax 35 field.
NJPW joins fans in wishing Goto a speedy, full recovery.
Goto won the G1 Climax in 2008, which was the first year he participated.
