Chinese man dies after 11 sleepless nights of watching Euro 2012
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A Chinese football fan tragically died after staying up for 11 successive nights to watch every single kick of the ball of Euro 2012.
Using a false name to protect the identity of the victim's family, Hunan province's Sanxiang Metropolis newspaper said Jiang Xiaoshan was found dead on Tuesday morning following Italy's 2-0 win over Republic of Ireland.
Due to time differences, the earliest games were broadcast at midnight in China, meaning that Mr Jiang stayed up to watch matches every night before going to work in the morning.
After watching Italy beat Ireland last Tuesday, the 26-year-old went back to his home in Changsha, southern China, had a shower then fell asleep - and never woke up.
Friends of Mr Jiang said the news of his death came as a total shock, saying he had played for his university football team and had enjoyed good health before the tournament, which kicked off on June 8.
"We would rest occasionally but he watched everyday and would not miss a single match," one friend told the newspaper.
When commenting on the matter, doctor Liu Zhiling said: "Jiang was in good health. But staying up through the night and not sleeping enough weakened his immune system and he drank and smoked while watching the football, triggering his condition.
"If you use beer to replace water that is not good."
Sleep deprivation is a major issue in China during worldwide sports tournaments, with a number of fans hospitalised during the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
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| A Chinese student died after watching Italy beat Republic of Ireland at Euro 2012 Photo: Getty Images |
Using a false name to protect the identity of the victim's family, Hunan province's Sanxiang Metropolis newspaper said Jiang Xiaoshan was found dead on Tuesday morning following Italy's 2-0 win over Republic of Ireland.
Due to time differences, the earliest games were broadcast at midnight in China, meaning that Mr Jiang stayed up to watch matches every night before going to work in the morning.
After watching Italy beat Ireland last Tuesday, the 26-year-old went back to his home in Changsha, southern China, had a shower then fell asleep - and never woke up.
Friends of Mr Jiang said the news of his death came as a total shock, saying he had played for his university football team and had enjoyed good health before the tournament, which kicked off on June 8.
"We would rest occasionally but he watched everyday and would not miss a single match," one friend told the newspaper.
When commenting on the matter, doctor Liu Zhiling said: "Jiang was in good health. But staying up through the night and not sleeping enough weakened his immune system and he drank and smoked while watching the football, triggering his condition.
"If you use beer to replace water that is not good."
Sleep deprivation is a major issue in China during worldwide sports tournaments, with a number of fans hospitalised during the 2006 and 2010 World Cups.
Also see:
- Italian football team honoured with world's largest lasagna
- Irish cyclists pedal 1,949km to Poland
- Nicklas Bendtner flashes 'Paddy Power' underpants after scoring
- Polish fan throws TV out of window after Russia goal
- Dutch fan put orange wheel-clamp on German team bus
- Iran ban women from watching Euro 2012
- What's loyalty? Belgian fans put Euro 2012 support up for sale on eBay
