Boxer Hannah Rapp dies after being hit while bicycling

Hannah Rapp, a 26-year-old professional boxer who fought for the World Boxing Council women’s featherweight title in June, died Saturday after authorities said a motorist reversed his vehicle into her while she was bicycling on a Texas road.

The Brazos County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded around 10 a.m. to the 23000 block of FM 159, near Navasota, and found Rapp lying in the roadway. Initial reports indicated she had been hit by a vehicle. First responders provided emergency care and took her to a nearby hospital, where she died of her injuries.

Investigators said Rapp and another bicyclist were riding on the road when 31-year-old Charles Medina drove past them. Medina then stopped, shifted into reverse and struck Rapp, the sheriff’s office said.

Medina was arrested and booked on a manslaughter charge. The sheriff’s office said the case was “isolated” and remained under active and ongoing investigation. Brazos County is about 80 miles northwest of Houston.

Brazos jail records showed Medina remained in custody Sunday morning and that his bond had not immediately been set, The Guardian reported. The records also showed prior arrests on counts including deadly conduct by discharging a firearm, assault causing bodily injury and reckless driving, though dispositions in those cases were not immediately available, the outlet reported. Under Texas law, manslaughter is defined as recklessly causing a person’s death and can carry a sentence of two to 20 years in prison if convicted.

Rapp’s death drew tributes from the boxing world. WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement that the organization was mourning her loss.

“The loss of Hannah Rapp leaves us heartbroken,” Sulaiman said. “She was an exceptional boxer, but above all, an invaluable member of our boxing family. We join in the grief of her loved ones, her team, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and supporting her throughout her brilliant career.”

The World Boxing Association also posted a tribute to Rapp on X.

Rapp, a native of Yorktown, Indiana, had been boxing for less than five years and moved to the area in 2024, KBTX-TV in College Station reported. The station reported that she balanced her training with a job at Texas A&M.

In the ring, Rapp had built an unbeaten record through her first nine professional fights, with eight victories, including five knockouts, and one draw. In her 10th bout, she challenged Tiara Brown of Fort Myers, Florida, for the WBC featherweight championship at 126 pounds in June at the Caribe Royal Orlando resort in Florida.

Brown retained the title by unanimous decision. After Rapp’s death, Brown wrote on social media that Rapp “was the best dance partner I have ever faced as a pro.”

“We fought a GREAT fight for the fans from the [first] bell to the last,” Brown wrote. “It was my honor to share the ring with her.”