Kite foil racer Jackson James Rice died on Saturday, June 15, weeks ahead of his Olympic debut
Jackson James Rice’s death made headlines — and rocked the kite foil racing community — in June after he passed away at the age of 18.
The late athlete’s father, Darren Rice, confirmed his son’s death on Saturday, June 15, after an accident in Faleloa, Ha’apai. Jackson died of a suspected shallow water blackout, which is a loss of consciousness when a diver suffers hypoxia or a lack of oxygen in water. “I was blessed with the most amazing brother in the whole world, and it pains me to say that he’s passed away,” Jackson’s sister, Lily Rice, wrote via Facebook on Sunday, June 16. “He was an amazing kite foiler 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.”
Prior to his death, Jackson was set to represent Tonga, where he grew up, as a kite foil racer in the 2024 Paris Olympics.Jackson, who went by the nickname J.J., was an up-and-coming kite foil racer who moved from the United States to Tonga with his family when he was 2 years old. He qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics by finishing eighth at the 2023 Sail Sydney event in December. He was the only Tongan athlete to make it to the Olympic Games in the sport.
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