Saimoni Vunilagi: Rugby player from Fiji dies in Japan from suspected heatstroke

Fijian rugby player Saimoni Vunilagi, 26, has died of suspected heatstroke after a training session with his Japanese second division club Kyuden Voltex, based in Fukuoka. He began displaying severe heatstroke symptoms following a team practice on Monday, 3 August 2026, and was taken to hospital, where he died on Friday, 7 August. Temperatures in Fukuoka had reached 35°C during the week.