Hiroshi Tanahashi has been cleared to compete after being in the same area someone who eventually tested positive for COVID-19.
The former IWGP Heavyweight Champion recently appeared on a television show and a cast member tested positive for COVID-19. Tanahashi wasn't in close contact with said individual, but did underwent antigen, antibody and PCR testing, with all tests returning negative. As a result, Tanahashi was given the green light to continue wrestling.
On August 1, Hiroshi Tanahashi made a television appearance with another cast member who has since tested positive for COVID-19.
Adequate countermeasures were put in place during production of the program, and Tanahashi did not come into close contact with the infected party.
As a precaution, Tanahashi has since undertaken antigen, antibody and PCR testing, with all tests returning negative.
Tanahashi is in good health and will be able to compete on this week’s Summer Struggle events in Korakuen Hall.
A similar situation occurred recently where Tomoaki Honma and Yota Tsuji were also on a television program and someone else also tested positive for COVID-19. Subsequent testing for both wrestlers returned negative and they were allowed to continue wrestling soon afterwards.
Tanahashi's next scheduled appearance will be on the August 6 Summer Struggle show as he will team with Kota Ibushi and Yuya Uemura to take on Yoshinobu Kanemaru, Zack Sabre Jr. and Taichi. Tanahashi is also a part of the tournament to crown a new NEVER Openweight Six-Man Tag Team Champion as he will team with Ibushi and Master Wato to face Kanemaru, Sabre and Taichi on August 7.
