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Josaia Raisuqe, a rugby star who was a medalist for the Fiji at the Paris Olympic Games, died after a train hit his vehicle while going to training.
The Raisuqe rugby club, Castres, confirmed its death on Thursday. He was 30 years old.
“Castres Olympique is in mourning,” the club said in a statement on its website. “It was with a heavy heart that we learned death this morning of our player Josaia Raisuqe in a road accident.
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Josaia Raisuqe of the Fiji Court team with a bullet in a rugby match against Australia at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade de France on July 27, 2024, in Paris. (Stefan Matzke / Getty Images)
“The whole family is devastated by this terrible news. Josh has been a member of the club since 2021. He was a wonderful teammate, very loved by all, including the supporters of Castres who had kissed him. We extend our sincere condolences and thoughts to his family and loved ones.”
The death of Raisuqe shocked the supporters of Castres, who paid tribute to him only a few hours after his death. They would have been in the presence of his wife, while hundreds gathered in front of the Pierre-Fabre stadium, the house of Castres, to cry Raisuqe.
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Raisuqe was part of the Fiji Sevens Rugby team in Paris, which finished second at the Olympic Games to win a silver medal. He was credited with a test against the United States during the swimming pool game, and he started for Fiji against France during the gold medal match.
Raisuqe has been playing professionally in France since 2015, joining this year the champion of the top 14 stadium French. Raisuqe also played for Nevers, a second division team.
Ben Dowling of Australia is discussed by Josaia Raisuqe de Fiji in a rugby match against the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Stade Yves du Manoir on July 27, 2024 in Paris. (Cameron Spencer / Getty Images)
He became so excited after a victory in 2021, he raised the referee over his head when the final whistle denounced, and he received a red card for the incident.
Raisuqe became a flanker for Castres in 2022, when the team did the Top 14.
“He was a radiant boy on and off the field, a pillar of the Fijian community that we have at the club and to whom we are very attached,” said Castres president Pierre-Yves Revol, in a statement.
The Fijian wing of Castres, Josaia Raisuqe, famous after having marked a test during a French match of the 14 top 14 rugby between Castres Olympique and the Toulonnais of the Rugby Club at the Pierre-Fabre stadium in Castres, France, April 22, 2023. (Valentine Chapuis / AFP via Getty Images)
“It is also difficult at that time not to talk about the faith of all these players (Fijiens) and Josaia. My thoughts go to his fiancée and to all his family.”
Raisuqe played for the last time on the wing for Castres less than two weeks ago.
