Fiji rugby player dies in Japan of suspected heatstroke as high of 35C hit

Saimoni Vunilagi was hospitalised with symptoms of heatstroke after rugby team training on Monday, but died on Friday. A Fijian rugby player with a Japanese professional team has died after being taken to hospital with “symptoms consistent with severe heatstroke”, Saimoni Vunilagi’s club said on Saturday. Second-division side Kyushu KV said 26-year-old Vunilagi was taken to hospital in the southern city of Fukuoka after a team practice on Monday, and died on Friday morning. Temperatures reached a high of 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) in Fukuoka on Monday. Close to 18,600 people were taken to hospital for heatstroke between July 20 and 26, with 45 of them pronounced dead on arrival, according to the fire and disaster management agency.

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Scoop News DeskJapan · Published Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 10:13 AM UTCUpdated Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 10:51 AM UTC

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Vunilagi, a back row forward who stood 196cm (6ft5in) and weighed 117kg (258lb), attended university in Japan and began his professional career in 2023. “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.” Japan sweltered through its hottest summer on record last year, and parts of the country have hit 40C (104F) in recent weeks.