A French judo champion and BJJ practitioner has passed away due to the novel coronavirus, according to French news outlet L’Aisne Nouvelle.
Cyril Boulanger, who won the French FSGT judo champion in the veteran category last June, was hospitalized over the past week in “very serious condition.” The 37-year-old father of two boys later passed away due to the virus.
The Union Sportive d’Esmery-Hallon Officiel shared their condolences following the passing of Boulanger, who was from Esmery-Hallon.
Boulanger had also recently begun his Brazilian jiu-jitsu journey under Aziz Cherigui. Cherigui also shared a post commemorating his student and sharing his sorrow.
“Getting ready to eat and thinking about my friend. I’m alive, and he died today…I eat and cry. I can’t see my plate anymore. The corona is in our vital space. May Allah guide us, and protect us… ALL“
Boulanger’s passing is a painful reminder that COVID-19 can also have devastating effects on relatively young, healthy people. The CDC’s recommendations for preventing the virus include frequent and thorough hand-washing and social distancing.
