>Diagnosed with a traumatic cervical spine injury, “Muscle Monster” Daisuke Sekimoto (44, freelance) made his return after nearly two months at BJW’s July 27 Korakuen Hall event. It was also his first match since leaving the promotion at the end of June to go freelance—and he marked both with a victory, while revealing his intention to retire at age 50.

>On May 29, Sekimoto was injured mid-match and rendered immobile, prompting an emergency hospital transport. “I was scared, like—what’s going to happen to me now?” he recalled. His bench press dropped from 180kg to 140kg at one point, but his recovery progressed well. Two months later, he returned to the ring, teaming with Takashi Daimonji to face Ryuji Ito and Abdullah Kobayashi. Once the bell rang, he showed no sign of injury or ring rust, unleashing his trademark raw power—and finishing the match with back-to-back lariats on Kobayashi.

>After the match, Ito congratulated him on his return. Kobayashi, however, took a rougher tone, saying, “I’ve seen plenty of guys leave this place. I’ve got no more tears left to shed.” Sekimoto, listening in a kneeling posture, replied, “It’s not like we’ll never see each other again. Is it okay if I come back someday?” The crowd responded with a loud ovation.

>Backstage, he declared, “I’ll retire at 50.” The decision was inspired by the phrase “Life is fifty years,” a favorite of warlord Oda Nobunaga, and something Sekimoto decided when he first began wrestling. “Honestly, my physical strength is fading, and I’ve got more aches and issues showing up. Fifty might be the limit,” he admitted.

>As a freelancer, he hopes to spend the next six years wrestling in a variety of places and against many different opponents. But as for overseas appearances? “I have a daughter. I can’t just leave my family behind,” he said, ruling that out. His future schedule is still undecided: “Am I waiting for offers? Yeah, you could say that.”

https://x.com/tospo_battle/status/1949410970528358458