Jiu-Jitsu Athlete Suffers Severe Injury After Illegal Move

Jiu-jitsu athlete Willian Hiroyuki Masuda, known as Kabuto, suffered a severe spinal injury during a match in a tournament. The incident drew widespread attention after a move banned by the sport's rules was used, resulting in emergency surgery and the opening of a police investigation.

What happened during the fight

During a tournament, black belt Kabuto was facing opponent Juliano Di Pelli Machado in a No-Gi match, a discipline fought without a gi. At a certain point in the fight, Kabuto had his head resting on the mat while the rest of his body was projected upward. Juliano threw his own body weight onto his opponent, executing an illegal move known as a slam ('bate-estaca').

Referee action and medical assistance

Broadcast and security camera footage captured the moment of the infraction. The event organization reported that the referee disqualified Juliano immediately upon identifying the illegal move. Kabuto received medical attention right after the injury and was taken by ambulance for necessary care.

The athlete's health status

Following the accident, the athlete underwent emergency cervical surgery that lasted over nine hours. According to released information, he remains in recovery and his condition requires intensive care, medical monitoring, and ongoing physical therapy due to the severity of the spinal cord injury and trauma to the spine.

Police investigation and legal repercussions

A public prosecutor filed a criminal complaint with the Civil Police, requesting the opening of an investigation to determine the circumstances of the incident. The document points to the possibility of grievous bodily harm committed with eventual intent (dolo eventual), arguing that the risk of the action was foreseeable and that the athlete responsible for the move disregarded the harmful outcome.

Support and solidarity campaign

Faced with this challenging situation and the need for long-term care infrastructure, friends, family, and supporters organized a fundraising campaign. The initiative aims to secure the necessary support for the medical, hospital, and rehabilitation expenses of the jiu-jitsu instructor.

With information from Vakinha, Folha de Londrina, and R7.