Fijian Rugby Player Dies of Heatstroke After Running Drill in 35°C Heatwave in Japan

Simoni Vuinilagi, a 26-year-old rugby player from Fiji playing in Japan's Rugby League Division 2, passed away at a hospital in Fukuoka on the morning of August 7, Japanese media outlets such as Sponichi Annex reported on August 8.

According to his team, the Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex, Vuinilagi recently transferred from the Division 1 team Tokyo Sungoliath and joined the squad on June 23.

Standing 196 cm tall and weighing 117 kg, his position was lock (LO).

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

The high temperature in Fukuoka that day 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, Vuinilagi was spotted staggering, prompting an immediate halt to training as medical staff provided hydration and ice baths.

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 the cause of death was heatstroke.

Following an indoor training session on August 5, Kyuden Voltex has temporarily suspended all team activities.

(Photo: Captured from the Kyushu Electric Power Kyuden Voltex X account, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.