Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi, 26, dies of suspected heat stroke in Japan
Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi has died at age 26 following a suspected heat stroke during a training session in Japan. His club, Kyushu KV, confirmed the tragedy occurred after he fell ill during practice in high-temperature conditions.
Why it matters
The death highlights the increasing risks of extreme heat exposure for professional athletes in high-intensity sports.
Saimoni Vunilagi died from suspected heatstroke in Japan after a training session. ( Supplied: Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex )
Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi died in Japan following a training session with Kyushu KV.
Vunilagi, 26, showed symptoms of severe heat stroke on Monday, and died in hospital on Friday.
The club has supplied no other details of the investigation into the circumstances of the player's death.
Link copied Share Share article Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi has died of suspected heat stroke after a training session in Japan. He was 26.
His death was announced on Saturday by his team, Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex — known as Kyushu KV.
The Japanese second-division club said Vunilagi died on Friday after falling ill on Monday and being hospitalised.
"After team practice on Monday … Saimoni displayed symptoms consistent with severe heat stroke," the team said in a statement Saturday.
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