Semmy Schilt’s training partner dies during practice

Sherdog.com reported earlier today from an original story in a Romanian newspaper, Gardianul, that a training session at the Golden Glory gym in Romania seemingly went awry. Vitali Mitu, of Soldanesti, Moldova, collapsed and could not be revived following a sparring session last Thursday with three-time K-1 World Grand Prix Champion Semmy Schilt. While initial reports by eyewitnesses claimed that Mitu, 22, broke down after receiving a knee strike to the chest by the 6-foot-11, 300-pound Schilt, an autopsy later revealed that the blow was not the cause of this death.

“Mitu has suffered from acute interstitial pneumonia as well as a lung edema and acute bleeding,” Professor Dan Dermengiu, of INML “Mina Minovici,” the forensic institute of Bucharest, told Romanian sports site www.prosport.ru. “Our examination has not shown any type of chest pains. Also there are no traumatic injuries that have been caused by a strike, but only some minor marks stemming from the resuscitation attempts.”

Schilt’s muay Thai coach, Dave Jonkers, has since posted on a Dutch message board and expressed his condolences.

“The incident was a sad end to two weeks of good, intense training,” the 54-year-old trainer wrote. “Vitali has been transferred back to Moldova today and will be laid to rest on Wednesday. Our prayers are with his family, trainers and teammates. Rest in peace!”

Schilt, 36, had been in the southeast European country to prepare for his quest to regain his crown at the K-1 World Grand Prix in Yokohama, Japan. Mitu, a political science student, had come to Bucharest seven years ago to pursue his dream of becoming a professional fighter.

Mitu is survived by his parents and a sister.

You can read the original report at http://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Fighter-Dies-After-Golden-Glory-Sparring-Session-21133 and in their native tongue at http://www.kombat.ro/stiri/tragedie-in-sport-un-luptator-de-la-academia-ciprian-sora-a-murit-la-antrenamente.html