Vulangi Olosoni, 26, took home A$200K after winning the Runit Championship League's Dubai-based final in June. Photo / Sylvie Whinray
The winner of a $200,000 “run it straight” final has apologised for his role in influencing youth to take part in the controversial collision sport leading to the death of Kiwi teenager Ryan Satterthwaite.
Vulangi Olosoni, 26, walked away with a staggering A$200,000 ($219,000) after winning Runit Championship League’s Dubai final in June.
The Australian-based company shifted its second-ever final from New Zealand to the Middle East amid calls for it to be banned over safety concerns after two trial nights were held at West Auckland’s Trusts Arena in May.
Tipping the scales at 121kg, Olosoni was one of two competitors who were knocked unconscious during the second trial. Months later, he still has no recollection of the collision.
Days after the trials were held, Palmerston North teenager Ryan Satterthwaite died from head injuries sustained while participating in a copycat game of the viral social media trend during a 21st birthday celebration.
Speaking to the Herald five weeks after winning the Dubai event, Olosoni said Satterthwaite’s death “hurt me so much”.
“It made me think about life. Imagine being so young and you could’ve been something, then that happens to you... It’s pretty rough [and] I feel sorry for the family that is enduring that pain,” he said.
“I apologise for that as well... influencing the younger generation to do that type of thing.”
Olosoni said the incident made him rethink his participation in the sport and prompted Runit organisers to hold a string of meetings with competitors.
“They had a few conversations about it, making sure the boys understood what we were getting into, because it [death] is a possibility.
“In anything you do, you are at risk... Everything’s risky, and the thing is we have to manage risk.
“One thing could happen inside the contact where if you’re not trained enough, it could affect you long term. If you have constant concussions, you’ll have dementia down the line.”
But Olosoni said the sport is helping people’s lives, with life-changing sums of money up for grabs.
“This sport is going to help people who love contact, but also who would love to be in a contact sport where it can help their family long term.
“This income has helped my family, but also helped many others create income for their families as well.”
He urged against copying the sport in an unprofessional setting like a backyard, over fears of another death.
“We had everything, that’s why we were safe. We had doctors, nurses, a physio and made sure the referees were well trained in CPR and stuff like that. We had everything we could to give our best.”
Despite the safety measures in place during the Dubai final, three competitors were forced to retire after displaying symptoms of a concussion – including former NRL veteran and Kiwis representative Kevin Proctor, who suffered a serious head injury and subsequent seizure after a collision.
“Run it straight” and other emerging combat sports are now at the centre of top-level Government discussions, with a decision on their futures in New Zealand set to be reached in the next six months.
Olosoni, who grew up in rural South Auckland’s Waiau Pa, said he was first told about the new sport by one of his closest friends – whom he used to “run it straight” with in the backyard growing up.
His background in sport includes 1st XV rugby at Rosehill College and a stint at premier club level in the Counties Manukau region, but he hung up the boots in 2022.
“The curious person I am, I went online and started searching run it straight up. I was like, ‘Wait, I’ve done this many of times in rugby’.”
His fears of getting seriously injured were put aside after he prayed and decided to throw his name in the hat.
“When I’m old, say for instance 65, would I regret not taking a chance that I could’ve? And that’s what made me choose it myself.”
Despite not playing any form of contact sport for three years, Olosoni was accepted to compete at the second Auckland trial night at Trusts Arena in front of hundreds of spectators.
“When I was there preparing, all these negative thoughts came to me. It was like ‘You’re not good enough, you won’t achieve it, you won’t win, you won’t succeed’.
“My head space was cooked.”
Olosoni ended up having only one run on the night after copping a shoulder to the head while he was tackling, causing him to stumble around and struggle to stay on his feet. He was forced to retire from the event.
“I wanted to make sure I kept my head away but I still got smacked in the head and that impact caused me to have a concussion.”
Two weeks after his concussion, he was contacted by the organisers asking him to compete in the final as a wildcard – bringing with it a free trip to Dubai, with Runit covering costs of flights, accommodation and giving the eight competitors spending money.
“You feel like you have something to prove to everybody, that you should be there. I had to remember why I was there, to win for my family.”
As he stood 20m away from his opponents, Olosoni said there was “a lot of fear that came over my body”. Despite this, he won two match-ups to qualify for the final against Australian Samuel Suamili.
“Everyone knows him as the ‘Iceman’, because he freezes bodies, and I was just like, ‘Whoa, calm down’.”
$200,000 FINALE‼️🤯
— RUNIT Championship League (@runitleague) July 18, 2025
Proudly presented by @Stake pic.twitter.com/UDPnyWAs4h
The final was called off after three of the six runs, when it was determined Suamili was too dazed to continue. Emotion overcame Olosoni, who burst into tears as his arm was raised in victory.
“It felt like the weight off my shoulders was lifted. I was just relaxed and tears were coming down my eyes. I was just appreciative to the people who were right by my side, my wife and God, as well as my little sister who flew out too.
“Wouldn’t you regret not reaching your potential? Imagine that you reach 70-years-old and you think, ‘I should’ve done this’. The worst thing [that could happen] is that you learn from it.”
As for his A$200,000 prize, Olosoni said he’s given away about $32,000 to family and friends, but hasn’t touched the rest, and had enlisted the help of financial advisers to help him long term.
The Herald understands Runit’s next event will be held in the United States in the coming months, but organisers say it is yet to be confirmed.
Olosoni said they were trying to push the next event further out so competitors would have more time to prepare. He hadn’t decided if he would compete at the next event.
“My biggest choice that I’m thinking about right now is if it’s worth it. If I did get chosen again, I would have to make sure that I get income before I even go. I’ve got to make sure that my family is looked after.”