G156 minutes agoSports1 min readBrazil

Pan-American canoeing champion Rie Nagasako dies after drowning in Rio

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Rie Nagasako, 2025 Va'a Pan-American champion and World Sprint bronze medalist, died after falling into the water during a canoeing class in Rio de Janeiro.
She was dragged into the sea, rescued by the Fire Department and taken to Miguel Couto Municipal Hospital, where she died.
The death was confirmed by the Municipal Health Department on Friday afternoon.

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Why It Matters

Rie Nagasako was the 2025 Pan American Va'a champion and a bronze medalist at the World Sprint Championships. She founded the Barra Va'a club and Projeto Somar, dedicating herself to promoting Hawaiian canoeing in Brazil.

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Rie was Pan-American champion in Va'a, a form of Hawaiian canoeing, in 2025. She also won a bronze medal in the sprint category at the World Championships in the category.

The athlete founded the Barra Va'a club and Projeto Somar. At the time of the accident, she was teaching a canoeing class when she lost her balance and fell into the water. She ended up being dragged into the sea and was rescued by the Fire Department at around 7am.

Rie Nagasako had to be removed from the accident site with the help of an aircraft and was taken in serious condition to Hospital Municipal Miguel Couto, in Gávea, in the South Zone.

The death was confirmed on Friday afternoon by the Rio de Janeiro Municipal Health Department.

Open Questions

What was the exact cause of the loss of balance during class?
Were there adverse weather conditions at the time of the accident?
Did the class location have adequate safety equipment?