SINGAPORE – A Singaporean bodybuilder has died following a celebrity Muay Thai match against former Singapore Idol contestant Steven Lim. The tragic event occurred in Singapore on Saturday, as confirmed by the event organizer and local media.
Pradip Subramanian, 32, was participating in his first Muay Thai fight, stepping in as a late replacement for Lim’s original opponent, Sylvester Sim, who withdrew due to insurance issues. Both Sim and Lim, a YouTube personality, were contestants in the first season of Singapore Idol in 2004.
The match, part of the inaugural Asia Fighting Championship organized by Axseed Events and Muse Fitness Club, ended with 41-year-old Lim’s victory. Subramanian was subsequently rushed to Singapore General Hospital, where he passed away around 1300 GMT on Saturday.
A statement from the Asia Fighting Championship cited a preliminary medical report indicating that Subramanian suffered a cardiac arrest and respiratory failure. The final medical report is expected in 30 to 60 days.
Steven Lim expressed his condolences in a Facebook post, saying, “Rest in peace, my really truly respected fearless warrior and fighter and awesome boxing instructor, Pradip Subramanian!!!”