Professional boxer Hannah Rapp, a 26-year-old rising contender who challenged for a world title last month, died Saturday after a vehicle struck her while she rode her bicycle in Brazos County, authorities said.
Deputies responded around 10 a.m. Saturday to the 23000 block of FM 159 near Navasota after reports of a vehicle hitting a bicyclist. First responders found Rapp lying in the roadway and provided emergency care before transporting her to a local hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
According to the Brazos County Sheriff’s Office, Rapp and another bicyclist were riding along the highway when 31-year-old Charles Medina drove past them. Medina then stopped his vehicle, shifted into reverse and struck Rapp, investigators determined. He was arrested and charged with manslaughter. Medina was being held at the Brazos County Detention Center. Authorities described the incident as isolated and have not publicly disclosed a motive.
Rapp, a native of the Yorktown/Muncie, Indiana, area, competed in track at Purdue University before transitioning to boxing. She relocated to the Bryan-College Station area and turned professional in 2024 while working full time as a fire and life safety inspector at Texas A&M University. Fighting out of the Bryan Boxing Club under the nickname “Hanarchy,” she built an undefeated or near-undefeated early record before her first professional loss.
In June, Rapp challenged Tiara Brown for the WBC women’s featherweight title on a Most Valuable Promotions card at the Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando. She lost by unanimous decision, finishing with a professional record of 8-1-1. Brown later called Rapp “the best dance partner I have ever faced as a pro,” noting that Rapp asked for her autograph before the fight.
“The loss of Hannah Rapp leaves us heartbroken,” WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman said in a statement. “She was an exceptional boxer, but above all, an invaluable member of our boxing family. We join in the grief that overwhelms her loved ones, her team, and all those who had the privilege of knowing and supporting her throughout her brilliant career.”
Most Valuable Promotions said Rapp “made a lasting impression on everyone who had the opportunity to meet her. She was a gifted athlete, a valued member of the boxing community, and someone who was deeply respected by those around her.”
The case remains under investigation. No further details on the second bicyclist or additional charges have been released.
