In a tragic and sudden incident that has sent shockwaves across Telangana, a 25-year-old man collapsed and died while playing badminton at Nagole Stadium on Sunday evening. The victim, identified as Gundla Rakesh, worked at a private company in Hyderabad and hailed from Tallada village in Khammam district. He was the son of former deputy sarpanch, Gundla Venkateswarlu.

Viral CCTV Footage Shows Sudden Collapse

The heartbreaking event was caught on CCTV, the footage of which has now gone viral on social media. Around 8:00 pm, Rakesh was seen actively participating in a doubles match. As he bent down to retrieve a shuttlecock during play, he suddenly collapsed on the court. Fellow players rushed to his aid immediately. One of them attempted CPR on the spot.

Rakesh was quickly transported to a nearby hospital, but doctors pronounced him dead on arrival, noting he had likely suffered a massive cardiac arrest.

Medical Experts Raise Alarm Over Youth Heart Health

Health professionals are once again raising concerns over the growing number of heart-related deaths among young individuals, particularly during physical activities like gym workouts and sports. They stress the importance of early diagnosis through routine medical screenings and monitoring of lifestyle-related risk factors.

“Many underlying cardiac issues go unnoticed until it’s too late. Regular checkups, especially for those engaging in strenuous activities, are essential,” said a cardiologist at a Hyderabad hospital.

Similar Incidents Reported Elsewhere

This tragedy follows a pattern of recent similar fatalities. Last month in Karnataka’s Hassan district, four people died of heart attacks in a single day. In just over a month, the region recorded 22 cardiac-related deaths, with several victims under the age of 25.

Bengaluru’s Jayadeva Hospital reported an 8% rise in cardiac OPD visits in the past two weeks, with many patients from Hassan and nearby districts coming in for preventive screenings out of fear.

Public Shock and Renewed Concerns

The death of Rakesh, a young and seemingly healthy man, has drawn comparisons to the recent passing of model and actor Shefali Jariwala, who died of cardiac arrest at the age of 42. Both cases have stirred public concern about silent cardiac risks among India’s youth.

The incident has also sparked online debates on the need for onsite medical support in public sports facilities, such as the availability of defibrillators and trained staff to handle emergencies.