AMMAN, May 4, 2021 – Jordanian 19-year-old boxer passed away 10 days after undergoing brain surgery following a fight in Poland, Rashid Al-Swaisat collapsed in the third round of his fight with Anton Winogradow (Estonia) at Youth World Championship on April 16, 2021.
Rashid was treated in the ring after a Knockout on third round before being rushed immediately to the hospital; it remains unclear whether Rashid sustained his injury during the fight or whether the fight exacerbated an existing condition, as multinational investigations are ongoing.
Primary findings concluded a previous subdural hematoma Rashid had before his fight in Poland; some teammates of his mentioned that he always complains of headaches during training.
International Boxing Association (AIBA) stated: “It is with deep sadness that we learned of the passing of Rashid Al-Swaisat from Jordan, who had been admitted to hospital on April 16, 2021 further to his fight during the AIBA YWCHs.”
“Our thoughts are with his family, friends and teammates, to whom we offer our sincere condolences.”
Al-Swaisat clearly lost the first two rounds of his fight before collapsing during the third and final round.
Tributes poured in from the world of boxing with Dutch Boxing Federation president Boris van der Vorst tweeting: “Today is a sad day for the entire world boxing community, as we acknowledge the untimely passing of a young man, Rashid Al-Swaisat, who was a member of the Jordanian National Boxing Team. My sympathies and prayers are with Rashid’s family and friends. May his soul rest in peace.”
A statement from the Jordan Olympic Committee said: “The Jordan Olympic Committee expresses its deep sadness and pain over the death of our national boxing team player for the youth category, Rashid Al-Swaisat, who moved to the mercy of God Almighty on Monday evening as a result of an injury he suffered during his fight on Friday evening April 16, 2021 in the World Youth Championships.”
Following the fight, Polish police confirmed they were investigating the incident.
“Police officers are planning interrogations, and the prosecutor’s office is also to deal with the case,” a spokesperson said.
“The collected materials will be sent to the prosecutor’s office in order to possibly take further action.”
Credit: AIPS Media
