Friday, May 9, 2025 - A professional rugby player who won an Olympic medal playing for Fiji at last summer’s Paris Olympic, has died, his club team announced Thursday, May 8.
Josaia Raisuqe ,30, d!ed in a car crash, his French
rugby union club Castres Olympique announced on social media,
remembering him as “a wonderful teammate” who was “much loved by everyone.”
BBC reported that Raisuqe’s car was struck by a
train near his club team’s training center. He was 30 years old.
“Castres Olympique is in mourning,” Raisuqe’s French club
team wrote on Instagram. “It is with heavy hearts that we learned of the death
this morning of our player Josaia Raisuqe in a road accident.”
The club team continued: “The entire CO family is devastated
by this terrible news. Josh had been a member of the club since 2021. He was a
wonderful teammate, much loved by everyone, including the Castres supporters
who had embraced him. We extend our sincere condolences and thoughts to his
family and loved ones.”
Rugby teams from around the world responded to Castres
Olympique’s announcement about Raisuqe’s death, including several rugby teams
from the French league.
“Stade Aurillacois wishes to send its sincerest condolences
to the relatives and teammates of Josaia,” one French rugby union club
responded, according to an English translation.
“All our thoughts are sent to Josiah's family and relatives
as well as the entire @castresolympique family on this tragic day,”
the Lou rugby team, another French union club, wrote.
Raisuqe was part of Fiji’s silver medal-winning rugby team
at the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The winger started the Olympic gold medal final against
France and had previously scored against the United States during pool play,
according to The Associated Press.
The AP reported that Raisuqe has been playing in the French rugby union
since 2015, playing for Stade Francais, Nevers, and later for Castres
Olympique.
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