Brazil Canoe Champion With 2 Pan-Am Golds Dies in Rio
Pan-American va'a champion Rie Luciana Nagasako died in Rio on Friday, a day after falling from an outrigger canoe while teaching near the Quebra-Mar. The post Brazil Canoe Champion With 2 Pan-Am Golds Dies in Rio appeared first on The Rio Times .
Brazil canoe champion Rie Luciana Nagasako passed away on Friday, October 9th after falling into the sea while instructing a class in Rio de Janeiro. The tragic incident occurred on Thursday, October 8th near the Quebra-Mar breakwater in Barra da Tijuca, in the city's southwestern area. Nagasako, who won two gold medals at the Pan-American va'a championship in November 2025, was guiding her students towards a safer spot when she lost her balance and fell into the water.
The strong current carried her out, and she was later rescued by the Rio de Janeiro state fire service and taken to a hospital in critical condition. She died later that same day. The death of the experienced paddler highlights the potential dangers of Rio's open-sea beaches, even for seasoned athletes.
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