Russian Man Dies, Finn Champion Hospitalized at Sauna Contest

Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy, a Russian man striving to win the Sauna World Championships in Heinola, Finland, died.
Russian Man Dies, Finn Champion Hospitalized at Sauna Contest
Russia's Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy is removed from the sauna after being burnt during the final at the Sauna World Championships in Heinola, on August 7. Last two competitors in the men's final had to be removed by force from the sauna. (Sari Gustafsson/Getty Images )
8/9/2010
Updated:
10/1/2015
<a><img src="https://www.theepochtimes.com/assets/uploads/2015/09/russia103283096.jpg" alt="Russia's Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy is removed from the sauna after being burnt during the final at the Sauna World Championships in Heinola, on August 7. Last two competitors in the men's final had to be removed by force from the sauna.  (Sari Gustafsson/Getty Images )" title="Russia's Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy is removed from the sauna after being burnt during the final at the Sauna World Championships in Heinola, on August 7. Last two competitors in the men's final had to be removed by force from the sauna.  (Sari Gustafsson/Getty Images )" width="320" class="size-medium wp-image-1816399"/></a>
Russia's Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy is removed from the sauna after being burnt during the final at the Sauna World Championships in Heinola, on August 7. Last two competitors in the men's final had to be removed by force from the sauna.  (Sari Gustafsson/Getty Images )
Vladimir Ladyzhenskiy, a Russian man striving to win the Sauna World Championships in Heinola, Finland, died in the final stage of an event that required contestants to sit in a 230-degree Fahrenheit room, according to officials.

Roughly six minutes into the final round, he collapsed with severe burns alongside champion Timo Kaukonen of Finland. Ladyzhenskiy, an amateur wrestler in his 60s, was pronounced dead on Saturday, reported The Associated Press.

Kaukonen, approximately 40, was hospitalized on Sunday, according to contest spokesman Ossi Arvela.

In the final stage of the contest, half a liter of water is poured onto the stove every half minute. The last person to stay in the room wins the competition.

The 12th annual contest attracted 130 contestants from 15 countries and almost 1,000 spectators.

Arvela said that this will the be last contest ever held.