United Kingdom: Taekwondo athlete Isabelle Sava, who won a silver medal at the 2022 World Taekwondo Championship in the Netherlands, has died at the age of 19 after reportedly suffering a cardiac arrest in her sleep.
Sava died unexpectedly on August 17, 2026, according to a fundraising page established for her parents by family friend Adriana Agache.
Agache said Sava suffered an “unexpected cardiac arrest” and that emergency responders attempted to resuscitate her but were unable to save her. No further details about the circumstances or underlying cause of the cardiac arrest were provided.
The fundraising campaign was launched to help Sava’s parents with financial expenses following her sudden death.
What was Isabelle Sava’s sporting career?
Sava spent nearly a decade training in taekwondo and progressed to the level of second-degree black belt before competing internationally.
Her most notable achievement came at the 2022 World Taekwondo Championship in the Netherlands, where she won a silver medal in sparring, according to the International Taekwondo Federation.
She also participated in other activities outside competitive sport, including serving as a police cadet and completing the Bronze and Silver stages of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
What was Sava studying before her death?
Sava was preparing to begin her second year of law studies at Queen Mary University of London.
Her family friend described her death as unexpected and said the fundraising effort was intended to support her parents during the financial and emotional difficulties following the loss.
The fundraiser said no amount of money could replace Sava but that financial assistance could help ease some of the immediate burden on her family.
Sava’s death has prompted tributes from those who knew her, as her family and friends mourn the loss of a young athlete who had combined international sporting ambitions with plans for a career in law.