Jo Shimoda Undergoes Surgery Following Serious Training Crash
DADE CITY, Fla. – 2025 250 SMX World Champion Jo Shimoda suffered a significant injury during a pre-season training session at The Dog Pound track, resulting in two fractured and displaced vertebrae in his upper back and lower neck. A press release from Honda HRC Progressive confirmed that Shimoda underwent surgery on November 26 at Tampa General Hospital, where it was determined that his spinal cord remained uninjured, allowing for full movement and feeling.
Shimoda’s recovery is expected to take approximately three months. He expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s a shame to get injured as I was getting ready for the new season… I knew when I crashed that something was wrong, but it’s fortunate that the spinal cord is okay.”
Brandon Wilson, Manager of Racing and Advertising at American Honda, highlighted the importance of rapid medical intervention, stating, “Back injuries are always concerning, so I greatly appreciate how our team members and industry friends networked to ensure Jo was quickly in the care of top-level medical specialists.”
Shimoda, who had a breakout season capped by winning the SuperMotocross 250 Championship, remains optimistic about his recovery and expressed gratitude to his medical team. As this story develops, both his team and fans look forward to his return to competitive racing.
