A 37-year-old Singaporean man died from cardiac arrest while participating in the Bintan Reebok Spartan Race. The participant identified as Syed Mohamed Yusof was taking part in the 21km category of the obstacle course race when the mishap happened on the first day of the event.
Medical personnel were rushed to the spot and they tried to perform emergency resuscitation on him after he collapsed on the tracks, before taking him to the RSUD Raja Ahmad Thabib Tanjungpinang local hospital. However, he was pronounced dead on arrival and doctors concluded that he died of cardiac arrest.
The statement also said that the victim's family was informed thereafter and facilities were arranged to bring them to Indonesia's Bintan Island. The next day, participants observed a moment of silence for Syed, a former employee of a technology company, before the race began.
The 21km race is believed to me one of the toughest races as it involves climbing walls and ropes and consist more the 30 obstacles. It was reported that arrangements have been made to transport Syed's body to Singapore on Monday. The victim's family will also fly back today and will be accompanied by Jessie Sng, the Head of the Men, Women and Parents Segment unit at Mediacorp, which is in charge of the event.
"We are deeply saddened by Mr Syed's tragic and untimely death. Our thoughts are with his family and we are rendering every assistance to them at this very difficult time. Over 3000 members of the Spartan community have come to Bintan for the event and we will remember Mr Syed in a minute of silence before the start of the race today," said Sng, according to The straits Times.
The Reebok Spartan Race in the Bintan Island, which is a part of Indonesia's Riau Archipelago, is a popular one. More than 3,000 participants, mostly Singaporeans, registered for the two-day long sports event that was held on Saturday and Sunday (19-20 November).
