Professional rugby player Josaia Raisuqe died at age 30 after his car was struck by a train
Raisuqe’s French rugby union club mourned his loss on social media, writing that the Olympian had been “much loved by everyone”
He played seven games for club Castres Olympique this season, including his last appeareance on April 27
Josaia Raisuqe, a professional rugby player who won an Olympic medal playing for Fiji at last summer’s Paris Olympics, has died, his club team announced Thursday, May 8.
Raisuqe died 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.
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Josaia Raisuqe
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. In 2021, the AP reports that Raisuqe infamously celebrated a win by lifting a referee over his head, receiving a red card in the process.
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Josaia Raisuqe
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BBC reported that Raisuqe’s career temporarily stalled after he was accused of sexual assault in 2017, getting fired from Stade Francais. He was later convicted in June 2020 and given a suspended prison sentence, according to the outlet.
Raisuqe played seven games this season for Castres Olympique, last making an appearance on April 27.
“He was a radiant young man both on and off the pitch who was a pillar of the Fijian community that we have at the club and to which we are very attached,” Castres president Pierre-Yves Revol said Thursday, according to BBC.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.
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