Japan's second-tier professional rugby league has confirmed that Fijian player Saimoni Vunilagi, 26, died after being admitted to a hospital in Fukuoka with symptoms described as 'consistent with severe heatstroke.'
Vunilagi became unwell following the team's training session on Monday (July 28) and was rushed to hospital. However, he passed away on Friday morning (August 1). On the day of the incident, temperatures in Fukuoka reached 35°C.
Vunilagi, who stood 1.96 meters tall and weighed 117 kilograms, played as a back-row forward. He had studied at a Japanese university and began his professional career in 2023.
In an official statement, Kyushu KV expressed their grief: 'The players, coaching staff, and the entire team are deeply saddened by this sudden news. Although he had only just joined Kyushu KV, Saimoni's generosity and powerful style of play had made us hopeful for his contributions in the coming season. We pray for him and extend our sincerest condolences to his family.'
Japan is experiencing record-breaking heat. The country's Fire and Disaster Management Agency reported that between July 20 and July 26, nearly 18,600 people were hospitalized due to heatstroke, with 45 confirmed dead upon arrival at hospitals.
Japan records an average of about 1,300 heat-related deaths annually. The government aims to halve that number by 2030.
Last week, three lions at a Tokyo zoo were suspected to have died from heatstroke, while several others remain under treatment. Japan's highest recorded temperature is 41.8°C, set on August 5, 2025, in Isesaki, north of Tokyo.
Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heatwaves in Japan to human-induced climate change. In response, many cultural and sporting events have been rescheduled, including the World Cosplay Summit in Nagoya, which held its final summer edition last weekend.
