South African fitness coach Leroy Saunders has died after collapsing while competing in the BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 event at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.
Saunders, 41, lost consciousness during the competition on 13 August. Event staff gave him emergency assistance and CPR before he was taken to hospital, where he later died.
His family and team confirmed his death in a statement posted on Saunders' personal Instagram account on 18 August.
Family asks for time and information
The family said it was still trying to understand fully the circumstances surrounding Saunders' death. It asked HYROX and other media outlets not to make statements until further information had been confirmed.
"Until the last second of this moment, Leroy lived his life without regret or hesitation," the family statement said.
It described Saunders as someone who had made a positive difference to hundreds, and possibly thousands, of people over the course of his career.
The family also thanked the fitness communities that had supported him. It said further details, including arrangements to celebrate his life, would be released when appropriate.
A coach in Bangkok's combat sports community
Saunders owned IAOT CrossFit in Bangkok and worked as a fitness and CrossFit coach in Thailand. He was particularly known for strength and conditioning work with combat athletes.
He also founded Fight by Design, a physical training programme for Muay Thai fighters, mixed martial arts competitors and boxers.
For the many foreign residents involved in Bangkok's CrossFit, martial arts and endurance-sport communities, Saunders was part of an international fitness scene that draws coaches and athletes from overseas.
What HYROX involves
HYROX is an indoor fitness race combining running with functional exercise stations. Its standard format involves eight 1km runs, each followed by a workout challenge, testing endurance, strength and conditioning.
The BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 competition ran from 13 to 16 August at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok.
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19 August 2026
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