The World Sauna Championships in Finland ended today with the death of a finalist, Russian Vladimir Ladyzhensky. He was going for the win against Finnish rival Timo Kaukonen, when both were rushed to the hospital with severe burns.

The competition's organizer, Ossi Arvela issued a statement on the tragedy saying everyone was "grief stricken," and "all the rules were followed and there was enough first aid personnel. All the competitors needed to sign in to the competition with a doctor's certificate." How compassionate.

The World Sauna Championships have been held annually in Heinola, Finland since 1999, and competitors must sit in 110 degrees (Celsius) until the last man remains. Here's a highlight video from last year's competition: