Denis Ten, the first figure skater from Kazakhstan to win world championship and Olympic figure skating medals, died in Almaty today. He was 25 years old.
According to reports, Ten was stabbed in downtown Almaty by two men who were trying to steal mirrors from his car. He was taken to the hospital where he died a few hours later.
In 2014, Ten won bronze in Sochi. He also won two world championship medals—silver in 2013 and bronze in 2015.
Ten, twice a World Championship medallist, was rushed to hospital but died three hours later of his injuries.
“Unfortunately, he is not with us anymore,” said a government spokesman.
American figure skater Adam Rippon wrote on Twitter: “He was so kind to everyone and a huge inspiration to me and so many other people.
“Denis, thank you for showing us how to be a champion. Your time with us was way too short.”
February’s Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang was Ten’s third Games, having made his Olympic debut at Vancouver 2010.
He finished 27th at the Games in South Korea.
“Denis Ten was an incredible figure skater, the legend of our sport, our pride,” said Kazakhstan’s minister of culture and sport, Arystanbek Mukhamediuly.
“This is an unthinkable tragedy and irreparable loss.”