Bodybuilder Pradip Subramanian dies following kick-boxing bout with Steven Lim
*UPDATED at 11am on 24 September 2017 to reflect that the AFC Physique and Bodybuilding Championships scheduled to be held at Marina Bay Sands on Sunday (24 Sept) will proceed as planned. An earlier press statement from the Asia Fighting Championship’s organisers said that the event would be cancelled out of respect for Pradip Subramanian’s passing.
Pradip Subramanian, president of the World Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Federation, has died following his celebrity kick-boxing match against YouTube personality Steven Lim.
The bout, which was part of the inaugural Asia Fighting Championship card held at Marina Bay Sands on Saturday (23 September) night, saw Lim winning via technical knockout.
Pradip appeared to have received a number of blows to the head during the course of the match and seemed in a daze after the referee called it off to declare Lim the winner.
The 32-year-old was conveyed to the Singapore General Hospital where he died at 9pm, according to a statement from the fight’s organisers released early on Sunday morning.
“We are in close contact with the medical staff at the hospital to ascertain the cause of death and request that during this difficult time we should come together and extend our support to Mr Subramanian’s family, friends and associates and refrain from any speculation,” the statement said.
While Lim had initially been scheduled to fight former Singapore Idol finalist Sylvester Sim, the latter pulled out of the event on Friday due to “insufficient insurance coverage provided by the organisers and restrictions on increased coverage as stipulated by the insurance companies”. It was announced the same day that Pradip would be replacing Sim for the match.
Shortly after winning the fight, the 41-year-old Lim posted on Facebook pictures of himself holding his title belt and declaring that “Pradip was rushed to the hospital no joke by ambulance!”
He later posted a condolence message which said, “Rest in Peace, my really truly respected fearless warrior and fighter and awesome boxing instructor, Pradip Subramanian!!!”
Rest in Peace, my really truly respected fearless warrior and fighter and awesome boxing instructor, Pradip…
Posted by Steven Lim on Saturday, September 23, 2017
According to media reports, Pradip leaves behind his parents and twin brothers. His wake will be held in Woodlands today.
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