HYROX Bangkok death: Leroy Saunders, South African fitness coach and CrossFit gym owner, dies after collapsing during gruelling race; family says 'we are still trying...'

Leroy Saunders, a 41-year-old South African-born fitness coach based in Bangkok, died after collapsing during the BYD HYROX Bangkok 2026 competition. The respected trainer was the owner of IAOT CrossFit and founder of Fight by Design, a strength and conditioning program for combat athletes.

The global fitness community is mourning the sudden death of Leroy Saunders, a South African-born fitness coach and gym owner who died after collapsing during a HYROX competition in Bangkok, Thailand.