Champion axeman David Bolstad died suddenly on Saturday after winning a competition in Waiuku. He was in his early forties and leaves a wife, Michelle, and two children.
David Bolstad died about 30 minutes after his last chop at the Waiuku Cosmopolitan Axemen Club, as he headed for his car.
A club spokesperson is reported to have said Mr Bolstad fell down and could not be revived.
Mr Bolstad had been heavily involved in the competition all day and had rested for about 30 minutes after finishing his final chop.
He was a very fit man, the spokesperson said.
David Bolstad was a New Zealand representative axeman, following in the footsteps of his father, Sonny.
Bolstad and fellow Kiwi Jason Wynyard dominated the professional axe circuit in the United States from 1997.
He won more than 50 major wood chopping championships around the world, and had won Saturday’s event along with Shane Jordan and Morgan Wensche.
He will be sadly missed.
