Leroy Saunders: South African Fitness Coach Dies at 41 After Collapsing During a Sports Event
- Leroy Saunders collapsed during the BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 competition on 13 August and was rushed to hospital
- The South African fitness coach was the founder of Fight by Design and owner of IAOT CrossFit, known for training combat sports athletes
- His family announced his passing on 18 August, stating the cause of death remained under review pending further investigation
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South African fitness coach Leroy Saunders, 41, has died following a medical emergency that occurred during the BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 competition on 13 August 2026.
Saunders lost consciousness during the event and received emergency treatment on site before being transported to hospital. His family and social media team confirmed his death on 18 August, five days after the incident occurred in Bangkok.
The South African rugby community recently lost former player Russell Nelson, who died a few days before celebrating his birthday, and also a young player who died during training.
Who was Leroy Saunders?
Saunders was a well-known figure in South Africa's fitness and combat sports communities. He founded Fight by Design, a conditioning platform focused on developing strength and fitness programmes for athletes competing in Muay Thai, MMA, and boxing. He also operated IAOT CrossFit, a gym through which he worked with a broad range of clients and athletes.
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His involvement in competitive fitness extended beyond coaching. Saunders had participated in HYROX Doubles the previous year, finishing with a recorded time of 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 51 seconds.
Family requests patience as cause of death reviewed
In their announcement, Saunders' family stated that the cause of death had not yet been confirmed and remained under review. They formally requested that HYROX and media organisations refrain from issuing further public statements until the circumstances surrounding his collapse and subsequent death are better understood.
No additional details regarding the nature of the medical emergency or the hospital where he received treatment have been made available at this stage.
HYROX is an international fitness racing competition that combines running with functional workout stations. The Bangkok 2026 edition, sponsored by electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, attracted competitors from across the globe. The event draws athletes of varying fitness levels, from recreational participants to elite competitors.
Saunders' death has drawn attention to the physical demands placed on athletes during high-intensity endurance events. His contributions to combat sports conditioning and his presence in South Africa's fitness industry leave a significant gap in a community he helped shape over many years.
Rugby legend dies after cardiac arrest
Briefly News also reported that a rugby legend passed away at the age of 68, a few days after suffering cardiac arrest.
The rugby icon was unable to recover despite medical efforts to revive him after the cardiac arrest incident.
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Source: Briefly News
