PHUKET: Competition at the Junior Asian Wrestling Championship on Phuket was plunged into mourning today with the death of a coach from the Iraq team.
Kadee Abes, 44, went from a Phuket City hotel where the Iraq team and officials were staying, to enjoy a Saturday night out on the other side of Phuket in Patong, home of the famous Soi Bangla walking street.
Minivan driver Thinakorn Chingjid told Phuket police that one of his eight passengers complained of chest pains soon after he began the 20-kilometre journey back to Phuket City about 1.30am.
The minivan diverted to Patong Hospital, where doctors began treating Mr Abes. He died at the hospital about 3.30am.
Twenty-three countries are competing at the Junior Asian Wrestling Championship, being held at the gymnasium in Saphan Hin park, Phuket City.
It's the first time in international competition that new rules have been applied to give wrestling a chance of remaining in the Olympic Games.
Wrestling, one of the traditional Games sports, is considered by some to be dull for television viewers so two periods each of three minutes have replaced longer matches.
The competition ends today. Mr Abes' body remains at Patong Hospital.
Kadee Abes, 44, went from a Phuket City hotel where the Iraq team and officials were staying, to enjoy a Saturday night out on the other side of Phuket in Patong, home of the famous Soi Bangla walking street.
Minivan driver Thinakorn Chingjid told Phuket police that one of his eight passengers complained of chest pains soon after he began the 20-kilometre journey back to Phuket City about 1.30am.
The minivan diverted to Patong Hospital, where doctors began treating Mr Abes. He died at the hospital about 3.30am.
Twenty-three countries are competing at the Junior Asian Wrestling Championship, being held at the gymnasium in Saphan Hin park, Phuket City.
It's the first time in international competition that new rules have been applied to give wrestling a chance of remaining in the Olympic Games.
Wrestling, one of the traditional Games sports, is considered by some to be dull for television viewers so two periods each of three minutes have replaced longer matches.
The competition ends today. Mr Abes' body remains at Patong Hospital.
