Zechariah Wilson, New Zealand MMA Fighter, Dies At 26

“Rest easy young warrior, always in our hearts forever more,” posted the Soma Fight Club in Canggu. “We will carry you with us into battle always.”

A cause of death was not disclosed.

“Hakaraia was not only a fierce competitor in the cage but also a source of inspiration to those around him. His work ethic, resilience, and humility set him apart as a true role model, both in and out of the sport,” Mowatt said in a statement.

In a statement provided to media, police said they responded to a sudden death on the morning of Jan. 1 at an address in Gisborne. The death was not being treated as suspicious, police said.

Wilson began his amateur career in 2020 and had a 4-3 pro MMA record, according fighting stats site Sherdog. Wilson’s last fight was in October in Bali, Indonesia, where he won his bout against Mark Alcoba of the Philippines at the Canggu Fight Night.

Support HuffPost

Already contributed? Log in to hide these messages.

“I want to fight at the highest level, but I want to use MMA as a vehicle to tell our stories,” he added.

We Need Your Support

Other news outlets have retreated behind paywalls. At HuffPost, we believe journalism should be free for everyone.

In an interview shared last year by Radio NZ, Wilson said, “Being Māori is our superpower. It’s our strength, We can draw upon that whenever we need to.”

He had moved to the U.S. during the pandemic and trained in San Diego, California.

Can’t afford to contribute? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.

“I always pictured myself moving to America eventually to make the most out of my career and my youth,” he told RNZ. “Part of me felt guilty for leaving my family. But for this dream, I understand that sometimes, I need to put myself first.”

“MMA is my vehicle to show the world how beautiful our culture is,” he said.

“Hakaraia was a cultural figure for the Māori people, representing his heritage with pride. He demonstrated the strength, determination, and resilience of his culture on an international stage, becoming a beacon of inspiration for the Māori community and beyond.”

You’ve supported HuffPost before, and we’ll be honest — we could use your help again. We view our mission to provide free, fair news as critically important in this crucial moment, and we can’t do it without you.

While Wilson made remarkable achievements in his sport, Mowatt said, “it was his kindness, generosity, and ability to connect with people that left the deepest impact.”

source