Renowned Fitness Coach Leeroy Saunders Dies During Bangkok Race
South African fitness coach Leeroy Saunders, 41, collapsed and died during the BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 race at Sirikit National Convention Centre on August 13, with his family still investigating the cause.
Thailand's fitness community is in mourning following the death of renowned fitness coach Leeroy Saunders, a 41-year-old from South Africa, who collapsed during the BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 competition at the Sirikit National Convention Centre on August 13. Despite emergency responders rushing to provide aid and transport him to hospital, he died shortly after. His family confirmed the news through a personal Instagram account on August 18. His family and team say they are still investigating the cause of death in detail and have requested that relevant organizations, including HYROX and the media, refrain from releasing or commenting on event details until clear information is available. Beyond owning IAOT CrossFit and specializing in sports science, strength training, and physical performance development, Saunders founded Fight by Design, which designs training programs for Muay Thai fighters, MMA athletes, and professional boxers.
