‘Our hearts are crushed’: World cup skier Brayden Kuroda of Penticton dies suddenly

Tragedy has struck Penticton’s skiing community and beyond.

World cup freestyle mogul skier Brayden Kuroda died suddenly on Monday night of an undisclosed cause, Freestyle Canada said in a news release.

The 19-year-old from Penticton had his sights set on the Olympics and had made his World Cup debut only three weeks ago.

"Our hearts are crushed with the immeasurable loss of this effervescent, bright, talented young man," said Freestyle Canada Chief Executive Officer Peter Judge.

"His work ethic, passion and natural talent were all contributing to propel him quickly through the Freestyle pathway."

Kuroda won two gold medals for Team BC at the 2019 Canada Winter Games, but the talented athlete also had plans of becoming a surgeon and had been accepted into the Biomedical Science Honours program at the University of Calgary.

"Community was so important to Brayden and conversely his passing will leave an unfillable hole in the heart of our community," added Judge.

Tributes have also poured in for Kuroda from his home ski hill of Apex Mountain, where he is fondly remembered for "sending it" off jumps that seemed too big for a boy of his size and for always being a good role model to younger athletes.

"Our deepest condolences to Berva and Kenni Kuroda and all of their friends and family as well as everyone in our freestyle community who were touched by Brayden Kuroda. He will be sorely missed," wrote Apex general manager James Shalman.

NowMedia will update this story if and when more information becomes available.