South Africa-born fitness coach dies after collapsing during Hyrox Bangkok
BANGKOK, Aug 18 — South African fitness coach Leroy Saunders died after collapsing and losing consciousness during...
Bangkok, Thailand - Leroy Saunders, a 41-year-old South African fitness coach, passed away after collapsing during the Hyrox Bangkok 2026 competition on August 15th. The incident occurred at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre, which took place from August 13th to 16th. Saunders, who was resuscitated and transported to a hospital, had been a familiar face in Thailand’s CrossFit and combat-sports community.
He was the owner of IAOT CrossFit in Bangkok and had a reputation for providing strength and conditioning for combat athletes. Saunders also founded Fight by Design, a training program for Muay Thai fighters, MMA athletes, and boxers. He had previously participated in the Hyrox Bangkok event, finishing the Doubles category in 1 hour, 17 minutes and 51 seconds alongside his wife Annika last year.
The Hyrox Bangkok competition was marred by other issues this year, including a Thai athlete being treated for heatstroke during the March edition and complaints about unclean equipment during the August event.
Written by urgent.news from Malay Mail's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
