“Kohei Uchimura dead 2026” : Athlete killed by internet death hoax

News of athlete Kohei Uchimura’s death spread quickly earlier this week causing concern among fans across the world. However the March 2026 report has now been confirmed as a complete hoax and just the latest in a string of fake celebrity death reports. Thankfully, the 37-year-old athlete is alive and well.

UPDATE 22/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Kohei Uchimura death hoax spreads on Facebook

Rumors of the athlete’s alleged demise gained traction on Friday after a ‘R.I.P. Kohei Uchimura’ Facebook page attracted nearly one million of ‘likes’. Those who read the ‘About’ page were given a believable account of the Japanese athlete’s passing:

“At about 11 a.m. ET on Friday (March 20, 2026), our beloved athlete Kohei Uchimura passed away. Kohei Uchimura was born on January 3, 1989 in Shimabara. He will be missed but not forgotten. Please show your sympathy and condolences by commenting on and liking this page.”

Hundreds of fans immediately started writing their messages of condolence on the Facebook page, expressing their sadness that the talented 37-year-old athlete was dead. And as usual, Twittersphere was frenzied over the death hoax.

Where as some trusting fans believed the post, others were immediately skeptical of the report, perhaps learning their lesson from the huge amount of fake death reports emerging about celebrities over recent months. Some pointed out that the news had not been carried on any major Japanese network, indicating that it was a fake report, as the death of an athlete of Kohei Uchimura's stature would be major news across networks.

A recent poll conducted for the Celebrity Post shows that a large majority (86%) of respondents think those Kohei Uchimura death rumors are not funny anymore.

Kohei Uchimura Death Hoax Dismissed Since Athlete Is ‘Alive And Well’

On Saturday (March 21) the athlete's reps officially confirmed that Kohei Uchimura is not dead. “He joins the long list of celebrities who have been victimized by this hoax. He's still alive and well, stop believing what you see on the Internet,” they said.

Some fans have expressed anger at the fake report saying it was reckless, distressing and hurtful to fans of the much loved athlete. Others say this shows his extreme popularity across the globe.

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