Dislocated shoulder for Mashu Baker at unfortunate comeback

Olympic Champion Mashu Baker’s participation for the World Championships in Budapest is in danger. Baker was not among the athletes nominated for the World Championships after he made un unfortunate comeback at the All Japan Championships on Sunday.

For the first time on the tatami after a period of rest for the Olympic Champion, but the all Japan championships were his occasion to make his return. In his first contest Baker dislocated his right shoulder. He does want to participate at the Japanese Open Championships at 29 April but may have to cancel that one as he may face an operation for his shoulder which will take him out for a longer time.

“This is the first time I’ve had a complete separation,” Baker said. “If my goal is the (2020) Tokyo Olympics, I would have surgery and then rest for something like a year, so I’m conflicted.”

The category U90kg was left open for the moment awaiting a diagnose this week. Obviously the place was penciled in for Baker, but after this incident things look totally different. Although Daiki Nishiyama could be a good replacement it looks that the two remaining place for the men’s team will be taken by Ryunosuke Haga who saw Aaron Wolf taking the gold in Fukuoka. The second position will be for a successful heavyweight at 29 April. This position will be announced after this heavyweight event.