A JIU-JITSU fighter was left paralysed after suffering a devastating spinal injury during a competition.

Willian Hiroyuki Masuda was slammed onto the mat head first at the Super Pro Jiu-Jitsu 2026 championship in Londrina, Brazil last week.

NINTCHDBPICT001103879465Jiu-jitsu fighter Willian Hiroyuki Masuda has been left paralysed after suffering a spinal injury Credit: Newsflash NINTCHDBPICT001103879464Masuda was dropped on his head by an opponent in a move called a ‘spike’ during a competition Credit: Newsflash

Masuda was competing against fellow black belt Juliano Di Pelli Machado when the incident happened.

Footage has shown Machado lifting Masuda up and turning him upside down before driving him down onto the mat.

The move is known as a ‘spike’ and is banned in jiu-jitsu due to the risk of causing serious head, neck and spinal injuries.

Masuda laid motionless on the mat after Machado’s shocking move and the referee immediately called off the fight.

Medical staff rushed in to treat the stricken star, who was taken to Hospital Evangelico Mackenzie.

Masuda was found to have fractures of the C5 and C6 vertebrae in his neck.

He had emergency surgery on his spine that lasted ten hours, according to local media.

Masuda remains in intensive care and is breathing without needing a ventilator.

NINTCHDBPICT001103879249Masuda’s family say he has lost movement and sensation in his legs Credit: Newsflash NINTCHDBPICT001103879443Masuda (R) is pictured with fellow fighters in an undated photo Credit: Newsflash

And while he is able to move his arms, he has lost all movement and sensation in his legs, his family said.

His wife Fernanda has created a fundraising campaign to help pay for his treatment, with more than £90,000 raised so far.

A criminal complaint has since been submitted pointing out the 40kg difference in weight between the two fighters.

It also called for the footage and security recordings to be observed.

It said: “It is not socially acceptable, in any sport, to let the weight of one’s own body fall onto the head of an immobilised and motionless opponent, with only the head and neck as a point of support.”

Police confirmed they would open an investigation into the incident.

Machado’s lawyers said he was “deeply shaken” by Masuda’s injury and that he is “entirely willing to cooperate with any investigation, providing whatever explanations are requested by the competent authorities.”

The fighter has claimed the move on Masuda was not intentional and that he “couldn’t see him underneath me”.

He said: “He put himself underneath me in a very dangerous position. I couldn’t see him underneath me. I didn’t let go.

“He had his head on the floor. I can’t slam him into the ground, it’s illegal. He went underneath me. I wasn’t at fault. I didn’t see him.”