United States-born kitefoiler J.J. Rice who was to represent Tonga at the Paris Olympics has died in a diving accident. He was 18. Rice’s father Darren Rice confirmed his son’s death Monday to the Matangi Tonga newspaper. Jackson James Rice was to be the first caucasian to represent Tonga at an Olympic games.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — United States-born kitefoiler J.J. Rice who was to represent Tonga at the Paris Olympics has died in a diving accident. He was 18.Jackson James Rice was to be the first caucasian to represent Tonga at an Olympic games. His death occurred Saturday at Faleloa, on the island of Ha’apai in the Tonga archipelago.
He was free diving from a boat when he suffered a suspected shallow water blackout, Matangi Tonga reported. Efforts to revive him were unsuccessful. “I was blessed with the most amazing brother in the whole world and it pains me to say that he’s passed away,” Rice’s sister Lily said in a Facebook post. “He was an amazing kitefoiler and he would have made it to the Olympics and come out with a big shiny medal. He made so many amazing friends all over the world.”
Rice was born in the United States to British-born parents but grew up on Ha’apai where his parents operate a tourist lodge. He finished eighth at the Sail Sydney event in December to earn his Olympic place. Kitefoiling will be an Olympic sport for the first time in Paris.Kitefoilers race on boards that are lifted off the water on foils and can reach speeds of more than 50kph .
Obituaries Wellington Sports Tonga S
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Paris, Ile-de-France (FR) job with INSERM DR IdF PARIS CENTREGroup leader position in Immunology at Institut Necker Enfants Malades, Paris-France The Institut Necker Enfants Malades (INEM, https://www.institut-necker-enfants-malades.fr/) invites applications for a group leader position in Immunology.
Read more »
‘Under Paris’ on Netflix: Is There Actually a Shark in Paris?Forget “Emily in Paris.” It’s time for a shark to visit the Eiffel Tower.
Read more »
Mbappé no estará en el fútbol de París 2024PARÍS (AP) — Kylian Mbappé no representará a Francia en los Juegos Olímpicos de París.
Read more »
WWE Friday Night SmackDown Preview: Randy Orton vs. Tama Tonga, Belair vs. Jax SemisBefore the WWE King and Queen of the Ring 2024, there are two semifinal matches on Friday Night SmackDown to get to. Here is a preview of Randy Orton vs. Tama Tonga and Bianca Belair vs. Nia Jax.
Read more »
Tonga's volcanic eruption could cause unusual weather for the rest of the decade, new study showsHunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai (Hunga Tonga for short) erupted on January 15 2022 in the Pacific Kingdom of Tonga. It created a tsunami which triggered warnings across the entire Pacific basin, and sent sound waves around the globe multiple times.
Read more »
Giant Tonga Volcanic Eruption Could Disrupt Weather For Years to ComeThe Best in Science News and Amazing Breakthroughs
Read more »