26-year-old Saimoni Vunilagi died on Friday, having been hospitalised on Monday after a team practice
11:51, 08 Aug 2026Updated 11:59, 08 Aug 2026
Saimoni Vunilagi has sadly passed away. (Image: Japan Rugby League One)
A Fijian rugby player has died with suspected heatstroke in Japan.
Saimoni Vunilagi was taken to hospital in Fukuoka after a team practice with second-division club Kyushu KV on Monday. He died on Friday morning.
Temperatures in Fukuoka had reached a high a 35C on Monday.
“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.
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“We humbly pray for the repose of his soul and extend our heartfelt condolences to his bereaved family.”
The 26-year-old had begun his professional career in 2023, having attended university in Japan.
The forward previously played for Tokyo Sungoliath.
Japan endured its hottest summer on record last year and parts of the country have hit 40C in recent weeks.
Around 18,000 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.
The country experiences around 1,300 heat-related deaths a year and is aiming to half 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.
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