Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi has died from suspected heatstroke in Japan. The 26-year-old was hospitalised in Fukuoka after a team practice with second-division club Kyushu KV on Monday and died on Friday morning. Temperatures in Fukuoka had reached a high of 35°C on Monday.
Club Statement
“The players, staff, and all team associates are devastated by this sudden news,” the club said in a statement. “Although Saimoni had only recently joined Kyushu KV, his generous spirit and powerful style of play had raised high hopes for his contributions in the upcoming season.”
“We humbly pray for the repose of his soul and extend our heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family,” the statement added.
Career and Background
Vunilagi began his professional career in 2023 after attending university in Japan. The forward previously played for Tokyo Sungoliath.
Heatwave Impact
Japan endured its hottest summer on record last year, and parts of the country have hit 40°C in recent weeks. Around 18,000 people were taken to hospital for heatstroke between July 20 and 26, with 45 pronounced dead on arrival, according to the fire and disaster management agency. The country experiences about 1,300 heat-related deaths a year and aims to halve that number by 2030.
Kyushu play some of their home matches at Mikuni World Stadium in Kitakyushu, the ground that hosted Wales' first Test defeat to Japan last July. Wales struggled with the heat that day, with local journalists having expressed concern ahead of the match about the conditions.
