South African-born fitness coach and CrossFit professional Leroy Saunders has died at the age of 41 after collapsing during the BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 competition in Thailand.
Saunders lost consciousness while competing at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in Bangkok on Thursday, August 13. Event staff and medical personnel immediately responded, administering CPR and emergency resuscitation before he was transported to hospital, where he later died.
His death was confirmed by his family and team in a statement shared on his official social media accounts on Tuesday, August 18.
Family speaks out
The family has urged the public and media not to speculate about what caused Saunders’ death while they work to establish the full circumstances.
“Last Thursday we unfortunately lost Leroy due to reasons we are still trying to fully understand,” the family said.
“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.”
The family also asked HYROX and media organisations to refrain from making statements about the circumstances surrounding his death until the facts have been established.
They thanked the people and communities who had reached out with messages, calls and tributes during what they described as an extremely difficult period.
“Until the last second of this moment, Leroy lived his life without regret or hesitation,” the statement said, adding that he had positively influenced “hundreds, if not thousands” of people throughout his journey.
“We want to thank everyone again for their kindness and offering light in such a dark time,” the family said.
A respected figure in fitness
Saunders built a career spanning CrossFit, strength and conditioning, combat-sports training and functional fitness.
Based in Thailand, he was the owner of IAOT CrossFit in Bangkok and founded Fight by Design, a strength and conditioning programme aimed at combat-sports athletes, including Muay Thai fighters, boxers and MMA competitors.
His professional background included more than a decade of coaching experience. He was a CrossFit Level 3 coach, certified conditioning coach and strength and conditioning specialist.
Saunders’ fitness journey began with Muay Thai and he competed internationally, including at the 2015 WTKA World Championships in Italy.
He had previously spoken publicly about changing his lifestyle and finding discipline through fitness after his younger years. In a 2023 podcast interview, Saunders described how his involvement in fitness eventually led him into coaching and business, before he moved his operations online and settled in Thailand.
Final competition
Saunders was taking part in HYROX Bangkok, an endurance fitness competition that combines running with functional workout stations.
The standard HYROX format consists of eight 1km runs, each followed by a functional exercise, testing competitors’ endurance, strength and conditioning.
The Bangkok event ran from August 13 to 16, with Saunders collapsing during the competition on its opening day.
While emergency assistance was provided at the venue, Saunders could not be saved.
His death has since prompted an outpouring of tributes from Thailand’s fitness and combat-sports communities, with training sessions reportedly being organised in his honour.
Family to announce memorial plans
Saunders’ family said more information would be shared when appropriate, including plans to celebrate his life.
His social-media accounts will now be managed by his team in consultation with his closest family and friends.
For now, his family has asked for patience and privacy as they grieve and work to understand the circumstances surrounding his sudden death.
The family has not announced an official medical cause of death.
