A 24-year-old Muay Thai fighter has died after being hospitalized with a head injury following a charity bout at Singapore’s National Stadium.
Police confirmed his death on Sept. 28 but did not release his identity, say when he died or disclose the cause. Preliminary investigations found no signs of foul play, and inquiries are continuing, police told AsiaOne.
The fighter, reportedly a Singaporean, was admitted to intensive care after taking part in the AMC 13 – Fight for Hope tournament on Sept. 12, according to The Straits Times.
Social media posts identified him as a student from Singapore gym Inspire Fitness Asia, Mothership reported.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force said it received a call for assistance at 1 Stadium Drive at about 7:05 p.m. and transported one person to Tan Tock Seng Hospital.
Singapore Muaythai Association president Mike Tang said the referee stopped the bout in the third round in the interest of the fighter’s safety.
Tang rejected reports that the fighter had been knocked out in the ring. He said both competitors were present when the result was announced and left the ring without assistance.
One of them later required medical attention and was treated by on-site medics before being taken to hospital by ambulance, he said.
Inspire Fitness Asia declined to comment on the circumstances of the incident when contacted by Mothership and asked that the family’s privacy be respected. “He was so much more than a student to us. He was our brother, our family, and someone we loved deeply,” a gym spokesperson said.
While the fighter remained hospitalized, national head coach Amir Gani urged the public not to speculate about the incident.
In a Sept. 18 Instagram post, Gani said there would be time for the Muay Thai community to reflect on what happened and consider ways to make the sport safer.
The Fight for Hope tournament was part of a three-weekend festival supporting the Breast Cancer Foundation.
According to the Singapore Muaythai Association, it was the first Muay Thai competition staged at the National Stadium and was promoted as the country’s largest amateur tournament in the sport to date.
