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A POST-MORTEM has confirmed that the sudden death of a 16-year-old student during a national school rugby tournament in Ipoh was caused by internal bleeding from a torn pelvic muscle, police confirmed today.
Muhammad Fauzan Mohd Sulaiman, a student from Sekolah Menengah Sains Johor (SMS Johor), collapsed yesterday while taking part in the Sekolah Berasrama Penuh (SBP) National Rugby 7s Championship 2025 held at Sekolah Tuanku Abdul Rahman (STAR).
Ipoh District Police Chief Assistant Commissioner Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said the autopsy was conducted at the Forensics Department of Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun (HRPB).
“Post-mortem findings revealed that the cause of death was ‘exsanguination from a psoas muscle tear’ — internal bleeding in the right hip muscle,” he said.
Initial reports indicate that the teenager collapsed near the team tent at approximately 10.30am, just before entering the field for the second half of a match between SMS Johor and SMS Rembau.
A medical assistant at the scene suspected the boy had suffered a seizure, as his body was reportedly stiff and trembling. Emergency resuscitation was performed as his pulse weakened, and he was rushed to HRPB. He was pronounced dead at 11.18am.
“No signs of illness were reported prior to the game. The case is classified as sudden death,” Abang Zainal said.
In light of the tragedy, the Ministry of Education (MoE) has cancelled the remainder of the championship, which had been scheduled to run until tomorrow. A new date will be announced at a later time.
The championship, which gathers residential schools from across the country, was being held at the STAR Rugby Field. - October 4, 2025
