Turkish taekwondo athlete dies after heart attack

ANKARA – The Associated Press

An official says a 21-year-old Turkish taekwondo athlete has died after suffering a heart attack during a tournament in Luxor, Egypt.
     
Turkish Taekwondo Federation official Ramazan Erçin said Seyithan Akbalık collapsed while competing against a Slovenian athlete on Saturday.
     
Erçin said Akbalık was taken to the hospital where he died.
     
Akbalık was taking part in the men's 63-kilogram category at the Luxor Open, where Erçin said athletes hoped to earn points to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. He was one of 13 Turkish athletes taking part.
     
Erçin told Turkey's state-run Anadolu Agency: "Seyithan was a successful athlete who was a youth European champion. We are very saddened."