From India to Palestine: Who were the five athletes the world of sport mourned on July 3, a day of global sorrow?
From rabies to traffic accidents, a catastrophic motorsport collision, and the brutal realities of war, the world of sports was immersed with sorrow across boundaries.
India: Kabaddi star Brijesh Solanki succumbs to rabies
The day of tragedy began in India, where news broke of the untimely death of 22-year-old Brijesh Solanki, a promising state-level Kabaddi player from Uttar Pradesh. Weeks earlier, Brijesh had rescued a stray puppy from a drain and was bitten during the act. Tragically, he never received a rabies vaccine. Symptoms began to show during a training session on June 26, and he was soon hospitalized in Noida, where he passed away.
Brijesh Solanki
Although his death occurred on Saturday, it wasn't until July 3 that it gained national attention. A gold medallist with aspirations of making it to the Pro Kabaddi League, Brijesh's passing has deeply shaken the local sports community. In response, health officials have launched a vaccination drive and a rabies awareness campaign in his village.
Spain: Liverpool's Diogo Jota and brother killed in car crash
The football world was stunned by the death of Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, 28, and his brother André Silva, 25, in a tragic car crash in northern Spain. The accident occurred near Cernadilla on the A-52 highway around 12:30 AM. Jota had spent five years with Liverpool F.C. and had just recently gotten married. His sudden passing has left fans worldwide in mourning.
Diogo Jota and André Silva
André Filipe Teixeira da Silva, 25, played professionally as an attacking midfielder for F.C. Penafiel, a club in Portugal's lower divisions. While his brother Diogo Jota made headlines as a forward for Liverpool, André carved out his own path on the pitch in a more playmaking role.
France: Moto2 racer Borja Gomez dies during practice
In France, 20-year-old Spanish motorcycle racer Borja Gomez lost his life in a horrific crash during Free Practice for the European Stock Championship at Magny-Cours.
Borja Gomez
Gomez, a former Moto2 competitor, was struck by another rider after going off-track. He was a championship leader going into the race, with wins and podiums under his belt. Gomez had been considered one of Spain's brightest motorsport prospects.
Palestine: Footballer Muhannad Al-Laili dies from airstrike injuries
As the sun set, news broke from Gaza. Muhannad Al-Laili, a player for Nadi Khadamat al-Maghazi, succumbed to injuries from an Israeli airstrike on his family home in the Maghazi refugee camp.
Muhannad Al-Laili
According to sports journalist Leyla Hameed, he became the 439th athlete killed in Gaza. Social media has since circulated heart-wrenching wedding photos, showing he had recently married.
A world united in mourning
Four young athletes - each from different backgrounds, dreams, and disciplines - lost their lives on a single day. From the playing fields to the refugee camps, July 3 reminded the world how fragile even the brightest talents can be. As tributes pour in, the global sporting community stands united in sorrow.
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