In Remembrance of 2025 Athletes Who Passed Away: Their Career and Death
The sports world has paused in mourning as 2025 approaches. Numerous sportsmen and celebrities have died, leaving behind legacies both on and off the pitch. In this tribute, we honour some of the people whose stories still have resonance: champions, competitors, and artists of movement whose lives were taken this year.
1. Varinder Singh Ghuman Career
Who:
- Varinder Ghuman, a professional bodybuilder and actor from India.
Age at death:
- estimated to be between 41 and 42.
Date and location of death:
- Amritsar, October 9, 2025 (local press & hospital reports).
Cause and circumstances:
- After having a routine shoulder operation, the patient experienced sudden cardiac arrest; the hospital issued a statement expressing regret, and the patient’s family expressed concerns about the situation.
Highlights of the career:
- Mr. India (2009), a well-known figure in Indian bodybuilding, who promoted vegetarian bodybuilding while appearing in Punjabi and Bollywood films (credits include Tiger 3, Kabaddi Once Again).
2. (Arthur W. Jones III) Arthur Jones
Who:
- Former NFL defensive lineman who was a member of the Washington, Indianapolis, and Baltimore Ravens. Jon Jones of the UFC and Chandler Jones of the NFL are brothers.
Death age
- 39
Date and location of death:
- 3 October 2025 (publicised in local newspapers and obituaries).
Cause and circumstances:
- reported as a sudden death; the cause was not made public in the first reports.
Highlights of my career:
- played collegiate football at Syracuse and was a Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl XLVII champion.
3. (Burudi Ali Johnson) Rudi Johnson
Who:
- Former NFL running back, most famously with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Death age:
- 45 (born on October 1, 1979; died on September 23, 2025).
Date and location of death:
- Florida was mentioned in obituaries on September 22–23, 2025 (reports differ by one day).
Cause and circumstances:
- The first obituaries I came across listed the death but did not always provide a public cause. Details may come from additional follow-ups.
Highlights of my career:
- Pro Bowl (2004), impressive college seasons with Auburn, and a lengthy NFL career with the Bengals (notable rushing totals).
4. Hatton Ricky
Who:
- Popular light-welterweight and welterweight fighter, British former professional boxer.
Death age:
- 46
Date and location of death:
- September 14, 2025 Manchester, Greater (reported).
Cause and circumstances:
- discovered dead at home; a funeral and sizable public tribute marches ensued; an inquest was said to start. (Final cause will be included in official coroner/inquest reports.)
Highlights of my career:
- A well-liked boxing figure in the UK, the former world champion (who famously defeated Kostya Tszyu and unified titles) struggled with personal issues in later life but continued to be a significant public figure.
5. Aita Valter de Vargas (often referred to as “Valtinho”)
Who:
- Brazilian fitness instructor and professional bodybuilder.
Death age:
- 41
Date and location of death:
- Chapecó, Santa Catarina, Brazil, September 7, 2025 (reported).
Cause and circumstances:
- fatally stabbed during a supposedly violent altercation at his house; according to reports, his girlfriend was being looked into and taken to the hospital. There is a reported ongoing criminal investigation.
Highlights of my career:
- Reputable in Brazilian bodybuilding circles, multiple state bodybuilding champion, and 2024 World Fitness Federation runner-up.
6. Davey Johnson
Who:
- Former Major League Baseball player and manager, best known for leading the New York Mets to the 1986 World Series.
Death age:
- 82
Date and location of death:
- Sarasota, Florida, September 5, 2025 (reported).
Cause and circumstances:
- died following a protracted illness, according to obituaries.
Highlights of my career:
- An All-Star second baseman, he managed several teams, including the Mets and Nationals, and was a highly successful MLB manager renowned for his tactical inventiveness.
7. Bugner Joe
Who:
- British-Hungarian heavyweight boxer who has faced Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali.
Death age:
- 75
Date and location of death:
- As reported, he passed away in Brisbane, Australia, on September 1, 2025.
Cause and circumstances:
- According to reports, he passed away in a care facility; early obituaries did not always specify the cause of death. In his later years, he had been suffering from dementia.
Highlights of my career:
- fought the greatest of the time, won the European, British, and Commonwealth titles, and had a noteworthy multi-decade career.
8. Kotari Shigetoshi
Who:
- A professional boxer from Japan who is vying for a regional title.
Death age:
- 28 (reports)
Date and location of death:
- August 8, 2025 (passed away following injuries received in a fight at Tokyo’s Korakuen Hall on August 2).
Cause and circumstances:
- suffered a severe brain injury and an acute subdural haematoma during a title fight; he required emergency brain surgery but passed away as a result of his injuries. The tragedy and ensuing safety measures (such as shortening 12-round title fights) were covered by the WBO/Japan Boxing Commission and other international media.
Highlights of my career:
- A rising Japanese boxer who fought for regional and OPBF titles.
9. Jorge Costa
Who:
- Former FC Porto captain who went on to become a coach and director is a Portuguese football legend.
Death age:
- 53
Date and location of death:
- died in the hospital shortly after experiencing a cardiac arrest during a training session on August 5, 2025.
Cause / circumstances:
- At the Porto Training Centre, there was a cardiac arrest; an acute collapse was reported, and the patient died in the hospital. Statements were released by Porto and major sports media.
Highlights of my career:
- Long-time club legend, 50 caps for Portugal, captain of FC Porto during dominant years (UEFA Cup 2003, Champions League 2004), and later football director.
10. Dahlmeier Laura
Who:
- Former German biathlete who won multiple world titles and two Olympic titles.
Death age:
- 31
Date and location of death:
- July 28–30, 2025 According to reports, an accident happened on Pakistan’s Laila Peak on July 28; the death was confirmed or announced on July 30.
Cause and circumstances:
- Rockfall and fatal mountaineering accident on Laila Peak in Pakistan’s Karakoram; rescue and recovery efforts were hindered by bad weather and eventually cancelled. The death was confirmed by her representatives and rescue crews. She had previously stated that she did not want her body to be recovered in such incidents.
Highlights of my career:
- Several medals from the Biathlon World Championship, two Olympic titles (PyeongChang 2018: sprint and pursuit), retirement in 2019, and subsequent work as a mountaineer and mountain guide.
11. Born Dwight Braxton, Dwight Muhammad Qawi
Who:
- Two-division world champion (light heavyweight, cruiserweight) and an American Hall of Fame boxer.
Death age:
- 72
Date and location of death:
- 25 July 2025 (reported).
Cause and circumstances:
- passed away following a multi-year battle with dementia, according to obituaries and family statements.
Highlights of my career:
- Known as the “Camden Buzzsaw,” he was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 2004 and held the WBA cruiserweight title and the WBC/Ring light-heavyweight title from 1981 to 1983.
12. Terry Bollea’s character, Hulk Hogan
Who:
- American pop culture personality and professional wrestler.
Death age:
- 71
Date and location of death:
- Clearwater, Florida, July 24, 2025.
Cause and circumstances:
- According to the medical examiner, he died of cardiac arrest; his medical history included leukaemia and atrial fibrillation. Official statements and widespread tributes ensued.
Highlights of my career:
- A significant cultural icon, media personality, and one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling (WWE/WWF 1980s–1990s).
13. Baumgartner Felix
Who:
- The 2012 stratospheric jump that broke the sound barrier made the Austrian extreme sports athlete (skydiver/BASE jumper) famous.
Death age:
- 56
Date and location of death:
- Paragliding/paramotor crash, July 17, 2025, Porto Sant’Elpidio/Fermo area, Italy.
Cause and circumstances:
- crashed during a powered paragliding flight; further investigation revealed that the deadly spiral dive was the result of human error (no mechanical defect was found). The accident and subsequent investigative report were covered by local authorities and the international press.
Highlights of my career:
- Stratospheric jump (Red Bull Stratos, 2012), numerous extreme sport records, and international renown as a high-altitude jump pioneer.
14. Braman Bryan
Who:
- Former NFL linebacker and star on special teams (Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans).
Death age:
- 38
Date and location of death:
- 17 July 2025 (reported).
Cause and circumstances:
- passed away following a brief battle with an extremely uncommon and aggressive type of cancer that was discovered earlier in 2025; before his passing, the football community came together to support him during surgery and treatment.
Highlights of my career:
- renowned for his outstanding special teams play, a Philadelphia Eagles Super Bowl LII champion, and a cherished teammate and community leader.
