Jackson James Rice Photo: Supplied
The Tonga Sports Association and National Olympic Committee (TASANOC) is mourning the death of Olympic hopeful, Jackson James (JJ) Rice, who died on Saturday in a diving accident in Ha'apai.
TASANOC say the young JJ Rice was a remarkable athlete who proudly represented Tonga in kite surfing.
JJ, as he was known, was working towards qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
News of his death has shocked the sports fraternity in Tonga, who were following his campaign to qualify for the Games next month.
His father Darren Rice confirmed to Matangi Tonga that JJ was free diving from a boat on Saturday, when he died from a suspected shallow water blackout.
His body was found on the seafloor underneath the boat at about 12.15pm by other divers. Attempts to resuscitate him had failed.
JJ was born in the United States to British parents, but grew up in Ha'apai, where his parents, Darren and Nina Rice, own the Matafonua Island Lodge.
Matanagi Tonga reported as a naturalised Tonga, JJ had represented Tonga over several years in kite foiling at international events, and saw himself as a Tongan.
JJ had recently returned to Ha'apai after competing in the "2024 Formula Kite World Championships" in Hyères in the South of France.
JJ had represented Tonga over several years in Kite Foiling. Photo: Tristano Vacondio
Kite foil racing is similar to kite surfing, but uses a foil board, so the rider appears to fly above the water and can perform acrobatic tricks and quick turns.
Many came to know about JJ Rice's untimely death when they read a Facebook post by his sister Lily Rice, who paid tribute to her talented brother.
"I was blessed with the most amazing brother in the whole world and it pains me to say that he's passed away ... he was an amazing kitefoiler and he would have made it to the Olympics and come out with a big shiny medal ... he made so many amazing friends all over the world," she posted.
His father Darren remembered how JJ, at 15, had risked his life to help save many lives, when a ferryboat carrying 18 people capsised in heavy seas off Faleloa in 2021.
On another occasion, JJ swam out to rescue two girls, who had been swept off a sandbar, and pulled them back to safety.