Fitness Coach, 41, Dies After Losing Consciousness During Endurance Event

• Leroy Saunders, a fitness coach and gym owner based in Bangkok, has died at age 41
• Saunders was taking part in a HYROX endurance competition on Thursday, Aug. 13, when he lost consciousness. He was later pronounced dead in the hospital
• “Leroy lived his life without regret or hesitation and impacted hundreds if not thousands to do the same,” his loved ones said in a statement shared on his Instagram account

A prominent fitness coach and gym owner has died at age 41 after taking part in an endurance competition in Thailand.

South African-born Leroy Saunders lost consciousness while participating in the high-intensity BYD HYROX event in Bangkok, where he was based, which ran from Thursday, Aug. 13, to Sunday, Aug. 16, News.com.au reported.

The incident occurred at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center in the city, according to local outlet The Nation. He was given CPR and emergency first aid before being taken to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

According to a statement shared by Saunders’ loved ones on Tuesday, Aug. 18, he died on Thursday, the first day of the event.

They explained that they don’t yet understand why Saunders became unwell and thanked his followers for their support, assuring them that they would offer “closure and a better understanding” of the circumstances “when the time is right.”

The statement continued, “Until the last second ... Leroy lived his life without regret or hesitation and impacted hundreds if not thousands to do the same throughout his journey.”

Per News.com.au, Saunders had competed in HYROX in the past, completing the Doubles category in one hour, 17 minutes and 51 seconds last year.

HYROX, founded in 2017, is an indoor fitness competition that combines eight kilometers (just under five miles) with eight functional workout stations. Competitors run just over half a mile, complete an exercise, and then repeat the sequence eight times altogether.

As well as his HYROX participation, a WhyDonate fundraiser, set up to support Saunders’ family, highlighted his work as a CrossFit coach and mentor, too.

“He gave everything to this sport and to the people around him,” the fundraiser read. “His passion for coaching was genuine, his knowledge was deep, and his energy was the kind that made every room feel different when he walked in.”

The page stated that Saunders, who advertised his 12-week Elite Fighter Frame Work program on Facebook in the hours before his death, made those who trained under him “better athletes,” and made those in his life “feel welcome.”

Per News.com.au, he was the owner of IAOT CrossFit in Bangkok and the founder of Fight by Design, a physical conditioning program designed for boxers, as well as Muay Thai and mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes.

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In Saunders’ memory, a tribute workout is set to take place on Sunday, Aug. 23 across several gyms and fitness centers in Thailand, according to an Instagram post.

“Let’s celebrate his life by doing what he invested so much of it into, HARD WORK,” the caption included.

HYROX didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for comment.

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