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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National
Tim Baker

Sai Aletaha death: Amateur martial arts fighter dies after suffering brain injury at UK event

A martial arts fighter has died after suffering a brain injury following a bout at the weekend.

Sai Aletaha, 26, was critically injured at a Fast and Furious Fight Series (FFS) event in Central Hall in Southampton on Saturday night.

Paramedics rushed her to the hospital but she died the next day.

Hampshire Police has launched an investigation, while tributes to Ms Aletaha were posted online.

FFS posted a statement on Facebook confirming Ms Aletaha had died.

A post on Southampton's Lookborai gym's Facebook page said: "Following the show Saturday we regret to announce that one of our team mates unfortunately suffered an injury leaving her in a critical condition that she tragically will not recover from.

"Saeideh Aletaha was a lovely character with a beautiful soul. Her dedication to the sport was 110 per cent travelling miles every day just to train.

"She found her place with us just a few months ago but has become a part of the family and will be sorely missed."

A South Central Ambulance Service spokesman said an ambulance was sent to Central Hall shortly after 8.50pm on Saturday.

A statement from Hampshire Police said: "We were called shortly before 1am on Sunday by colleagues at Southampton General Hospital informing us of a woman who was being treated in hospital for a life-threatening brain injury.

"Inquiries into exactly what happened are ongoing. Next of kin have been informed."​

FFS said in a statement: "All competitors get in prepared that they may be injured, and this is something not expected to happen 99.9 per cent of the time.

"But, it can, and in this we make the environment as safe as possible with pre and post medicals from a doctor, and full medical cover throughout."

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