Latest news with #CastresOlympique
Epoch Times
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Epoch Times
Olympic Rugby Medalist Dies at 30 in Traffic Accident
Olympic silver medalist and professional Fijian rugby player Josaia Raisuqe has died following a traffic accident. He was 30. His team, French rugby club Castres Olympique, announced news of his death in a statement on May 8. 'Castres Olympique is in mourning,' the club Raisuqe was reportedly en route to his team's training center when his vehicle was struck by a train. 'The entire CO family is devastated by this terrible news. Josh had been a member of the club since 2021,' the post continued. 'He was a wonderful teammate, much loved by everyone, including the Castres supporters who had embraced him. We extend our sincere condolences and thoughts to his family and loved ones.' Related Stories 4/25/2025 4/8/2025 Club President and Chairman Pierre-Yves Revol extended his condolences. 'He was a radiant young man, both on and off the pitch, and a pillar of the Fijian community that we have at the Club and to which we are very attached,' 'It's also hard at this moment not to talk about the faith of all these players and Josaia. It goes beyond pain, to help them in this difficult moment for everyone.' Originally from Naitasiri, Fiji, a Pacific island nation east of Australia, Raisuqe joined Castres Olympique as a winger in 2021. He began playing professional club rugby in France in 2015, when he joined Top 14 champion Stade Francais, the highest level of domestic rugby in the nation. At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Raisuqe was part of Fiji's silver medal-winning rugby sevens team, defeating Ireland in the quarter-finals and Australia in the semifinals. Fiji lost to France in the final. The rugby sevens version of the game is played with seven players instead of the standard 15. Castres Olympique's next match against ASM Clermont, originally scheduled for this weekend, has been In place of the game, Castres Olympique is paying homage to Raisuqe with a remembrance ceremony at the Pierre Fabre Stadium in Castres, France, on May 10. 'This ceremony will be an opportunity to come together with family, friends and the entire club to honor his memory, share a moment of solidarity and show your support,' the team
eNCA
10-05-2025
- Sport
- eNCA
Fijian Drua grieve death of Castres winger Raisuqe
AUCKLAND - Fijian Drua players were deeply affected by the death of former Fiji international Josaia Raisuqe, its captain and coach said, contributing to their defeat to the Auckland Blues and ending their Super Rugby play-off hopes. The last-placed Drua were beaten 34-5 by the defending champions in Suva on Friday, a ninth loss from 12 matches leaving them with no chance of qualifying for next month's top-six finals. The match kicked off just hours after the Drua players learned of the death of France-based Raisuqe, who helped his country win Olympic rugby sevens silver in Paris last year. The 30-year-old died after his car was hit by a train on Thursday, his Top 14 club Castres Olympique said. Drua captain Mesake Doge said it was "gut-wrenching" for his players, many of whom knew Raisuqe. "Our feelings are for his family, especially with Josaia being away from home," Doge told Sky Sport on Friday. "I know the boys are feeling it for one of our brothers. It was a bit gut-wrenching for us this morning." Drua coach Glen Jackson said the "tragic loss" of Raisuqe contributed towards a modest performance from his team. "With so much on the line it is obviously an upsetting performance for the boys and for everyone watching," New Zealander Jackson said. "I know how much effort they put in to try and make everyone in this country proud." Jackson said brighter news for his team was this week's signing of Fijian international lock Temo Mayanavanua on a two-season deal beginning next year. Mayanavanua has been a key figure for English club Northampton Saints, who are contesting this month's European Champions Cup final against French side Bordeaux Begles. "Someone like Temo brings a lot of experience, especially from the UK, around lineouts and what it means to be professional," Jackson said.
France 24
10-05-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Fijian Drua grieve death of Castres winger Raisuqe
The last-placed Drua were beaten 34-5 by the defending champions in Suva on Friday, a ninth loss from 12 matches leaving them with no chance of qualifying for next month's top-six finals. The match kicked off just hours after the Drua players learned of the death of France-based Raisuqe, who helped his country win Olympic rugby sevens silver in Paris last year. The 30-year-old died after his car was hit by a train on Thursday, his Top 14 club Castres Olympique said. Drua captain Mesake Doge said it was "gut-wrenching" for his players, many of whom knew Raisuqe. "Our feelings are for his family, especially with Josaia being away from home," Doge told Sky Sport on Friday. "I know the boys are feeling it for one of our brothers. It was a bit gut-wrenching for us this morning." Drua coach Glen Jackson said the "tragic loss" of Raisuqe contributed towards a modest performance from his team. "With so much on the line it is obviously an upsetting performance for the boys and for everyone watching," New Zealander Jackson said. "I know how much effort they put in to try and make everyone in this country proud." Jackson said brighter news for his team was this week's signing of Fijian international lock Temo Mayanavanua on a two-season deal beginning next year. Mayanavanua has been a key figure for English club Northampton Saints, who are contesting this month's European Champions Cup final against French side Bordeaux Begles. "Someone like Temo brings a lot of experience, especially from the UK, around lineouts and what it means to be professional," Jackson said. "I believe in a year, in two years, with the right people in the building, we're going to be a quality team." © 2025 AFP
Scoop
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Fiji Rugby Player Dead In Car Crash In France
Fiji rugby player Josaia Raisuqe has died in a car crash in France, where he played for Top 14 side Castres Olympique. The 30-year-old was a member of the Fiji sevens side that won silver at last year's Paris Olympics. Local media reports said his car was struck by a train at a level crossing. The club, which he joined in 2021, expressed its sadness on Facebook and extended its condolences to his loved ones. The Fiji Drua also posted a tribute on social media, saying their hearts are heavy. "We lost more than a player - we lost a brother, a teammate and a true son of Fijian Rugby," it said. "Rest in peace, Jo. Your spirit will forever live on in the game and in our hearts." The Fiji Association of Sport & National Olympic Committee said it joined Castres and the wider rugby community in mourning the "immense loss". "Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Josaia's family, loved ones, teammates and the grieving rugby fraternity both in Fiji and abroad. "Vinaka vakalevu for your contributions to Fijian sport."
News.com.au
09-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Rugby world rocked as Olympian dies at 30 after train accident
Rugby star Josaia Raisuqe has tragically died at the age of 30 after being hit by a train. It is understood that Raisuqe suffered a road traffic accident on Thursday morning when his car was hit by a train at a level crossing, The Sun reports. The incident occurred as he was on his way to a training session for Castres in France. After learning of the tragic news, the wing's teammates were dismissed from training. The team's upcoming match against Clermont Auvergne - scheduled for this Saturday - is now expected to be postponed. 'It is with heavy hearts that we learned of the death this morning of our player Josaia Raisuqe in a road accident,' a statement from Castres read. 'The entire CO family is devastated by this terrible news. Josh had been a member of the club since 2021. 'He was a wonderful teammate, much loved by everyone, including the Castres supporters who had embraced him. 'We extend our sincere condolences and thoughts to his family and loved ones.' Team president Pierre-Yves Revol said: 'We are in shock following the sudden death of Josaia. 'He was a radiant boy on and off the field, a pillar of the Fijian community we have at the Club and to which we are very attached.' He went on to add: 'Of course, my thoughts are with his fiancee and his entire family and I thank all those who have come forward to the club. 'Castres Olympique will not make any further comments and asks that the mourning of his family be respected from now on.' French side RC Toulon paid tribute to Raisuqe with a heartfelt message on social media. A statement read: 'The Toulon Rugby Club is devastated to learn of Josaia Raisuqe's passing this morning, as he was heading to training. 'Our thoughts are with his family, his loved ones, his teammates, the Castres Olympique club, and its supporters.' Stade Toulousain also shared a message which read: 'Stade Toulousain learned with horror of the death of Josaia Raisuqe this morning, in a traffic accident. 'The entire club wishes to express its support and deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and his club, Castres Olympique.' And Harlequins shared a tribute on social media: 'Everyone at Harlequins sends their thoughts & prayers to our friends at @CastresRugby and the friends & family of Josaia Raisuqe during this difficult time.' Raisuqe reposted a picture of himself and his teammates on Instagram just hours before his tragic accident. Fans have now flocked to his social media to pay tribute. Born in Naitasiri, Fiji, Raisuqe started playing rugby at a young age. He dreamt of playing for the Fiji 7s - something he later went on to achieve. In his professional playing career he played for Stade Francais and Nevers before moving to Castres in 2021. He was part of the Fijian side that won a silver medal in the rugby sevens at last year's Olympic Games in Paris.
