18-year-old athlete dies in tragic accident just days before his historic Olympic debut

The promising athlete was freediving from a boat on Saturday when he died, presumably from a blackout in shallow water, his father Darren Rice said. Tonga reported on Monday (June 17).

The body of JJ (born Jackson James) was reportedly found on the seabed beneath the boat by other DiverResuscitation attempts failed, the Tongan outlet reported.

18-year-old kitefoiler JJ Rice, who had qualified for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, tragically died

Photo credit: Lily Rice/Facebook

Photo credit: jj__rice

“I was blessed with the greatest brother in the world and it pains me to say that he has passed away,” JJ’s sister Lily Rice wrote in a heartfelt post on Facebook with various pictures of the athlete.

She continued: “I don’t even know what to say, I don’t know what to do or what to think.

“I miss Jj so much, I’m shocked, I still can’t believe it, and it’s going to take time for all of us who loved Jj for so long to be well again.”

JJ died in a diving accident and left an impressive legacy in kite foiling

Photo credit: Lily Rice/Facebook

Photo credit: jj__rice

“Jj was the most incredible, funniest, most unique person I have ever known and I will miss everything about him.”

Lily further described her brother as a talented kitefoiler who would likely emerge with a “shiny medal” at the Olympics.

“He was great at fixing everything, and I will do my best to apply what he taught me to be even a little bit as great as he was,” she added.

The promising athlete was freediving from a boat when he presumably died from a blackout in shallow water.

Photo credit: jj__rice

When they noticed their playful bickering, Sister highlighted JJ’s softer side and revealed that the last time she saw her brother, he hugged her.

Lily concluded, “I wish I had held out longer.

“He made so many great friends all over the world because he was so kind and they will all miss him very much.

“Yy, I’ll let you flick me and give me dead legs when you get back.”

Photo credit: jj__rice

JJ was born in USA Son of British parents, but grew up in Ha’apai, Tonga, where his parents Darren and Nina Rice own the Matafonua Island Lodge.

As a naturalized Tongan, JJ had represented the Polynesian kingdom for several years at international kite foiling events and considered himself a Tongan, according to Tonga, Tonga.

Accordingly When it’s windyKite foil boarding is a form of kiteboarding where the person does not ride on a board that glides on the water’s surface, but rather on a board that floats up to 1 meter above the water’s surface.

The body of JJ (born Jackson James) was reportedly found on the seabed beneath the boat

“It seems as if you are flying on a magic carpet… The hydrofoil is actually under the water surface and carries the rider who flies above it,” explains the website dedicated to kiteboarding and windsurfing.

JJ had recently returned to Ha’apai after competing in the 2024 Formula Kite World Championship in Hyères, southern France. Tonga reported.

Darren recalled how 15-year-old JJ risked his life to save many lives when a ferry carrying 18 people was stranded in heavy Seas off Faleloa in 2021, according to the Tongan outlet.

On another occasion, JJ reportedly swam out to rescue two girls who had been washed away from a sandbar and pulled them to safety.

Kiting in the form of kite foil racing will be a permanent Olympic discipline after its premiere at the Olympic Games in Paris this summer. Kite World Mag reported in 2018.

According to NBC OlympicsOther new disciplines at the Games include breaking (breakdancing), kayak crossing, men’s synchronized swimming and women’s boxing in a new weight class of 54 kg.

The 2024 Summer Olympics are scheduled to take place from July 26 to August 11.

“So tragic,” commented one reader

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