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John Thao Obituary, Death Cause – It is with profound sadness that we report the passing of John Thao, a cherished member of the United States sepak takraw team, which proudly clinched two World Cup gold medals. While police have yet to officially identify John, community leaders and those familiar with the team have informed us that he was one of the victims in a tragic incident involving a stabbing and shooting in Roseville, MN. John’s contribution to our team and the sport of sepak takraw cannot be overstated. His dedication and skill were instrumental in securing those historic gold medals, achievements that brought immense pride and joy to our community.
Sepak takraw, primarily played in many Southeast Asian countries, demands an impressive array of skills as players use their feet to volley a ball over a net, employing kicks and spikes to score points. The United States team, led by individuals like John and Christ Moo from Des Moines, demonstrated their prowess by surpassing competitors from around the world to claim the top honors. Christ Moo, an ethnically Karen athlete, has dedicated the majority of his life to mastering sepak takraw, beginning his journey in Thailand. He and his coach, Jeremy Mirken, take immense pride in representing the USA on the global stage.
Christ Moo expressed his excitement about playing alongside international professionals and aspiring to become a professional player himself. Coach Mirken shared in that joy, acknowledging Christ’s dedication and the recognition of his remarkable skillset and accomplishments. In these difficult times, we extend our deepest condolences to John Thao’s family and friends. We also remember the passion and commitment of all the athletes, like Christ Moo, who have helped propel sepak takraw into the spotlight, making it a source of pride and inspiration for our community. John’s memory will forever be cherished, and his contributions to the sport will be remembered with gratitude and respect.
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