Tributes flow in for Fijian rugby star, dead at 26 from heatstroke
Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi has died at age 26 following a suspected heatstroke incident during a training session in Japan. The tragedy has prompted calls for safer training environments for professional athletes.
Why it matters
Raises critical safety concerns regarding athlete welfare and the impact of extreme heat on sports training.
- 9.36pm . First published at 1.15pm
shares Share article Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi has died of suspected heatstroke 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 Monday and being hospitalised.
“After team practice on Monday... Saimoni displayed symptoms consistent with severe heatstroke,” the team said in a statement on Saturday.
“He was transported to a medical facility for treatment, but despite the best efforts of the medical team, he sadly passed away.”
Kyushu KV is based in Fukuoka, a city in southwestern Japan. Temperatures there reportedly reached around 35 degrees Celsius on Monday.
“The players, staff, and all team associates are devastated by this sudden news,” the team said.
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