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Josaia Raisuqe, a rugby star who medal for Fiji at the Paris Olympic Games, died after a train hit her vehicle while driving to training.
Raisuqe’s Rugby Club, Castres, confirmed his death on Thursday. I was 30 years old.
“Castres Olympique is mourning,” said the club in a statement on its website. “It is with heavy hearts that we learned from death this morning from our player Josaia Raisuqe in a road accident.
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Josaia Raisuqe of the Fiji team runs with a ball during a rugby match against Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Stade de France on July 27, 2024 in Paris. (Stefan Matzke/Getty images)
“The whole family of CO is devastated by this terrible news. Josh had been a member of the club since 2021. He was a wonderful teammate, very loved by all, including Castrés followers who had embraced him. We extended our sincere condolences and thoughts to their relatives and loved ones.”
Raisuqe’s death surprised Castrés’ supporters, who paid tribute to him only hours after his death. According to the reports, they were in the presence of his wife, while hundreds met in front of the Pierre-Fabre stadium, La Casa de Castres, to cry in Raisuqe.
Rugby fans endure their breath as firefighters rescuing the pendant pechanist
Raisuqe was part of the Rugby Sevens team in Paris, which ended second at the Olympic Games to win a silver medal. He was attributed an attempt against the United States during the pool game, and began for Fiji against France in the Gold Medal match.
Raisuqe had been playing professionally in France since 2015, joining the Top 14 Stade Francais champion that year. Raisuqe also played for Nevers, a second division squad.
Ben Dowling in Australia is approached by Josaia Raisuqe de Fiji during a rugby match against the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Stade Yves Du Manair on July 27, 2024 in Paris. (Cameron Spencer/Getty images)
He was excited so much after a victory in 2021 that he lifted the referee over his head when the final beep exploded, and a red card was issued for the incident.
Raisuqe became a flank for Castrés in 2022, when the team reached the final of the first 14.
“He was a radiant child inside and outside the countryside, a pillar of the Fiji community that we have in the club and to which we are very attached,” said Castrés president Pierre-Yves, Revol in a statement.
The Liji de Castres wing, Josaia Raisuqe, celebrates after scoring an attempt during a French rugby union match between Castres Olympique and Rugby Club Toulonnais at the Pierre-Fabre stadium in Castres, France, April 22, 2023. (Valentine Chapuis/AFP through Getty Images)
“It is also difficult at this time not to mention the faith of all these players (Fiji) and Josaia. My thoughts are with their fiancee and their whole family.”
Raisuqe played for the last time in the wing for Castres less than two weeks ago.
