Japanese Rugby Player Dies of Heatstroke After Running Drill in 35°C Heat

Saimoni Vueti (26), a Fiji-born player in Japan's second-tier rugby league, passed away at a hospital in Fukuoka on the morning of August 7, Japanese media outlets including Sponichi Annex reported on August 8.

According to his club, the Kyuden Voltex, Vueti recently transferred from the first-tier team Tokyo Sungoliath and joined the squad on July 23.

Standing 196 centimeters tall and weighing 117 kilograms, his position was lock (LO).

He began team training at a stadium in Fukuoka at 4:50 p.m. on August 3.

On that day, the peak temperature in Fukuoka reached 36.9°C (98°F), and a heatstroke alert had been issued.

The Mainichi Shimbun reported, "According to the team, the temperature during training was 35°C (95°F)."

After finishing running drills, Vueti was spotted staggering. Training was halted immediately, and medical staff provided hydration and ice cooling.

Although he was initially able to answer questions, he soon lost consciousness and was rushed to a city hospital by ambulance.

Doctors later informed the team that heatstroke was the cause of death.

The Kyuden Voltex suspended all training indefinitely, starting with indoor workouts on August 5.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.