Nayeli Clemente: 24-year-old athlete drops dead during CrossFit competition in Mexico

Amy Cavender
PerthNow
Nayeli Clemente was competing in the Choula Games, which is a CrossFit licenced event, in south east Mexico on May 2 when tragedy struck. 
Nayeli Clemente was competing in the Choula Games, which is a CrossFit licenced event, in south east Mexico on May 2 when tragedy struck.  Credit: Instagram / Nayeli Clemente/Nayeli Clemente

A young female athelete has suddenly died while taking part in an intense workout program which is a go-to for many across the world.

Nayeli Clemente was competing in the Choula Games, which is a CrossFit licenced event, in south east Mexico on May 2 when tradedy struck.

The 24-year-old was taking part in the ‘Team Pyramid Run’, a gruelling relay-style race, in 35-degree heat, according to the Daily Mail.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

Clemente was part of a team where each person takes turns running increasingly longer distances before working back down when she began to find it hard to breathe and fainted.

The fitness enthusiast was given emergency CPR by a doctor in the crowd, identified as Daniela Castruita, who was able to briefly stabilize her before an ambulance arrived and took her to a local hospital.

Miss Clemente was a 24-year-old student and fitness enthusiast.
Miss Clemente was a 24-year-old student and fitness enthusiast. Credit: Nayeli Clemente /Instagram

However, sadly she died shortly after arriving at the hospital and officials later clarified that she had reportedly suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.

According to local press and Need To Know, onsite medics were slow to respond to the emergency and encountered issues deploying a stretcher and an oxygenation device allegedly wasn’t connected when it was needed.

Cholula Games reportedly received further criticism for continuing the competition despite the tragedy.

The Cholula Games issued a statement explaining they had been in contact with Clemente’s family.

The Cholula Games issued a statement explaining they had been in contact with Clemente’s family. 
The Cholula Games issued a statement explaining they had been in contact with Clemente’s family.  Credit: Nayeli Clemente/Instagram

“During the main event of the Cholula Games, an athlete developed a medical complication. She was treated by the event’s medical team and transported alive to a private hospital, where she sadly died the following day.

“The Cholula Games has been in constant communication with the athlete’s family since the incident.”

Officials are yet to clarify what caused a cardiac arrest but the current assumption is that she died due to performing intense exercises in high temperatures.

Originally published on PerthNow

Comments

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 09-05-2025

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 9 May 20259 May 2025

LABOR PRESENTS WAR: Inside the machinations of the ALP’s factional system.