Tongan Olympian Pita Taufatofua paid tribute to kite foil racer Jackson James Rice, who died on Saturday, June 15, in a diving accident
Tongan Olympian Pita Taufatofua is speaking out following the death of 18-year-old kite foil racer Jackson James Rice.
Taufatofua described Rice as “a kid that reminded me of my childhood growing up,” adding, “There are very few mechanics in the islands and so he would help his Father. In-between helping at the resort he would do what he loved, kite surfing out in the oceans of Haapai.” Taufatofua, who represented Tonga at the Olympics in 2016, 2018 and 2020, noted that Rice “had great respect for the sea and for all the people on our little Motu,” adding, “JJ left this world doing exactly what he loved, in a place he loved, the Ocean.”
Rice died in a diving accident on Saturday, June 15, weeks before making his kite foil racing debut at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His father, Darren, told Matangi Tonga News that Jackson was free diving from a boat in Faleloa, Ha'apai, when he experienced what was likely a shallow water blackout.
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