P.E.I. MMA fighter dies after sparring
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
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THE CANADIAN PRESS
CHARLOTTETOWN -- Noel Ayangma isn't a fan of mixed martial arts but accepted his son's participation "because he loved it so much."
Rene Ayangma, 20, died suddenly Tuesday night, shortly after finishing a sparring session in preparation for his second professional bout.
"He was a young, lovely boy," a sombre father said Wednesday night.
Rene Ayangma was training at Largo Fitness Centre in Stratford, P.E.I., when he collapsed shortly after finishing a light sparring session.
Mike Gallant, a spokesperson with the fight club, said Ayangma had just finished his workout when he dropped suddenly to a knee and fell forward.
Gallant said an instructor and a club member rushed in to perform CPR on Ayangma, who had lost consciousness but still had "shallow breathing."
He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The cause of death wasn't immediately known and the province's chief coroner was investigating. An autopsy was to be performed Wednesday.
The death was the second this week involving a young, fit athlete.
Mickey Renaud, captain of the Windsor Spitfires of the Ontario Hockey League, collapsed at his Tecumseh, Ont., home Monday and died. He was 19.
The cause has yet to be determined.
Noel Ayangma said his son, a biology student at the University of Prince Edward Island, was "one of the nicest persons you would ever see."
"He was always happy. He loved everybody. For his age, he was just too much," he said.
A Facebook group established in Ayangma's memory attracted more than 1,000 members by midday Wednesday.
"You will be missed man ... you're too young to go," one person posted on the group. "I was looking forward to the next fight. See you someday dude!"
Another person said his favourite memory of Ayangma "would have to be any time I saw him."
"He always had the best smile on his face, a great attitude and was the life of the party. We will miss you so much Rene."
Gallant said the tall, muscular Ayangma was in great physical condition and had passed a thorough medical before his first fight in Moncton, N.B., in December, which he won. His second fight was to be held March 15 in Halifax.
"He was fantastic," he said. "He was a natural at it. He was strong and had a very natural, athletic ability."
The club was sombre Wednesday as friends and fellow competitors tried to come to grips with the death.
"There's still a lot of shock and a lot of reminiscing going on," said Gallant. "He's going to be missed for a long time to come."
Lewis Page, coach of the UPEI men's soccer team, was stunned by the news. He coached Ayangma in soccer on and off since the athlete was about 13, including stints with the UPEI Panthers and provincial teams.
"The first reaction is disbelief," said Page. "I mean a young, healthy, strong guy. ... He was just one of those guys that you always wanted on your team because he was so upbeat, so good with the other players, always positive -- a joy to coach."
Ayangma played for the Panthers for three years before choosing to leave the sport in the fall to pursue mixed martial arts.
His father described his son as a natural athlete who was good at every sport he played.
"He was always making sure he was the best," he said. "I think that's what killed him because he was trying to be ready."
Gallant said Ayangma dreamed to make a career out of fighting. "He had lots of aspirations and he seemed well on his way with them."
Mixed martial arts is a full contact combat sport in which a wide variety of fighting techniques are used, including punching and leg strikes.
Larry Hale, chair of the university's biology department, said Ayangma expressed interest in going to medical school, possibly specializing in sport medicine. He was taking both second- and third-year courses at the Charlottetown school.
"He was very engaged in my genetics course," Hale said. "When he asked questions, they were insightful."
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