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Fijian Rugby Player Dies of Heatstroke During Training in Japan
🇰🇷 South Korea /Sports

Fijian Rugby Player Dies of Heatstroke During Training in Japan

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A Fijian rugby player for a Japanese second-division team died from heatstroke during training in Fukuoka.
  • Saimoni Vunirangi, 26, collapsed after a 50-minute running session in 35-degree Celsius (95 Fahrenheit) heat on August 3.
  • Despite receiving immediate medical attention, Vunirangi passed away days later in the hospital, leaving his team and the Japanese rugby community in shock.

A Fijian rugby player competing in Japan's second division has died from heatstroke during a training session, sending shockwaves through the sport.

Saimoni Vunirangi, a 26-year-old player for the Kyushu Electric Power Voltex (Kyuden Voltex) team, passed away on August 7 at a hospital in Fukuoka. His death followed a grueling training session on August 3, where temperatures reached 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit).

According to reports, Vunirangi, who stood 196 cm tall and weighed 117 kg, complained of dizziness shortly after the approximately 50-minute running practice concluded. He was immediately transported to the hospital by ambulance.

We immediately transported him to a medical facility and made every effort to treat him, but he has passed away.

— Kyushu Electric Power VoltexThe club confirms the player's death after receiving medical attention for heatstroke.

Despite receiving treatment for heatstroke, Vunirangi succumbed to the illness. The club stated that while water and ice were available during practice, "unfortunate circumstances" led to the tragedy. "We immediately transported him to a medical facility and made every effort to treat him, but he has passed away," a club statement read. "All the players and staff were speechless upon hearing the news of his death."

The incident has cast a somber shadow over the Japanese rugby league, highlighting the extreme conditions athletes can face during intense training.

All the players and staff were speechless upon hearing the news of his death.

— Kyushu Electric Power VoltexThe club expresses the shock and grief felt by the team following the player's passing.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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