Leroy Saunders’ family confirmed his death in an Instagram statement after he collapsed at a HYROX competition in Bangkok.
Saunders, 41, a South African-born fitness coach based in Thailand, lost consciousness during the BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 event at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center last Thursday. Event staff and medical personnel performed CPR and provided emergency assistance on the spot before transporting him to a nearby hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
His family and team confirmed the news in an emotional statement published on his personal Instagram account on Tuesday, August 18. “Until the last second of this moment, Leroy lived his life without regret or hesitation,” the statement read, remembering him as a dedicated mentor who had positively impacted hundreds, if not thousands, of lives throughout his career.
The family added that they are still working to fully understand the exact circumstances surrounding his death. “We are aware everyone would like closure and a better understanding, and we are working hard to be able to offer this when the time is right,” they continued in the Instagram post.
They requested that media outlets and HYROX event organisers refrain from speculation until full medical details are confirmed. The statement expressed gratitude to the global and local fitness communities for the outpouring of support and noted that details regarding a memorial to celebrate his life will be shared in due course.
Saunders was a prominent figure in Thailand’s fitness industry. He owned IAOT CrossFit in Bangkok and founded Fight by Design, a specialised physical conditioning program designed for Muay Thai fighters, boxers, and mixed martial arts athletes.
He had previously competed in HYROX, finishing the Doubles category in 1 hour, 17 minutes, and 51 seconds alongside a partner last year.
Tributes have flooded social media from fellow trainers, fighters, and gym members paying homage to his passion, work ethic, and dedication to helping others reach their physical potential.
HYROX has rapidly grown into one of the world’s most popular mass-participation fitness races, bridging the gap between traditional marathons and functional fitness disciplines like CrossFit. Designed to test both cardiovascular endurance and functional strength, a standard HYROX race requires participants to complete eight 1km runs, each followed by a demanding functional workout station.
The stations include a one-kilometer SkiErg, 50-meter sled push, 50-meter sled pull, 80-meter burpee broad jumps, one kilometre of rowing, 200 meters of farmers carry, 100 meters of sandbag lunges and finishes with 100 weighted wall balls. The gruelling multi-discipline format forces competitors to push their heart rates to the limit over an average duration of 60 to 90 minutes.
In the viral moment that prompted global attention, Saunders collapsed during the high-intensity endurance competition last Thursday, triggering immediate medical response from event staff at the convention center. The incident has reignited discussion about cardiac risks in extreme fitness events, with experts warning that the blend of heavy lifting and continuous running can trigger dangerous heart rhythms or cardiac arrest in people with hidden heart conditions or those who overexert themselves.
The Bangkok event, held from August 13 to 16, was expected to draw more than 22,000 participants from Thailand and overseas as the sport continues its rapid global expansion across more than 30 countries.