Fijian-born rugby player dies of heatstroke during training in Japan

A Fijian-born rugby player for a Japanese second-division team died from heatstroke during an outdoor training session in Fukuoka. The 26-year-old player, Saimoni Vunilangi of the Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex, collapsed on July 3rd after a 50-minute running session. The team was training at a stadium in Fukuoka city, where the highest temperature reached 36.9 degrees Celsius, prompting a heatstroke alert. The team reported the training temperature was around 35 degrees Celsius.

Vunilangi, who stood 196 cm tall and weighed 117 kg, complained of dizziness after the training and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. Medical staff provided hydration and icing, and although Vunilangi was initially responsive, he soon lost consciousness. Doctors later informed the team that heatstroke was the cause of death.

Following the tragedy, Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex suspended all training activities, with their last indoor session held on July 5th.

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The training temperature was 35 degrees.