A bodybuilder has tragically died after participating in a competition in Brazil.
Antônio Souza was a 26-year-old bodybuilder who had been partaking in bodybuilding events for about five years.
Prior to competing at the Navega Open in Santa Catarina on Saturday (August 3), Souza had told his wife, Yone Silva, that he had a “strong pain feeling in his chest,” as reported by the Daily Mail.
Souza still went ahead with competing and took home a trophy for his top three finish in his category, however, he reportedly suffered cardiac arrest while on stage. He was attended to by doctors present at the competition but unfortunately, he passed away.
The bodybuilder’s wife shared a heartbreaking message on Instagram, confirming her beloved husband’s sudden death.
“Rest in peace my eternal love, life may be over but my love will be forever, your departure left a void, but your memory will remain. Mourning,” she penned under a video of Souza at a competition.
The post has now been flooded with condolences and tribute messages from her followers. “My condolences. May God comfort your loss,” one user said.
“Be strong, may God comfort your heart and your entire family,” a second user penned, while a third added: “May God comfort his heart and his family.. May God rest his soul… he’s in the arms of God the Father almighty…. rest in peace.”
Silvia also spoke to Brazilian news outlet G1 about the tragedy and claimed that Souza took diuretics – a medication that helps reduce fluid buildup in the body. “He was very dehydrated. Very dry, unfortunately,” Silva told the outlet, as cited by Daily Mail.
She also opened up about his dedication to bodybuilding, adding: “This is an addictive and at the same time competitive sport. Antônio was very focused on this sport.”
The Navega Open released a statement about Souza’s death at the event, saying: “Our condolences to (the) family and friends for this inestimable loss.”
The late bodybuilder started training at the age of 15. He saw the sport as a way to help provide a better life for his mother, his sister Mary Braz revealed.
“His dream was to be recognized for doing what he loved and to be able to give our mother a better life,” she said. “He was always very focused, he never waited for anyone for anything.”
“He always knew his goal and he literally gave his life for this sport, he competed until his last breath,” she added.
Many of Souza’s friends and family have now changed their profile pictures on social media to commemorate their loved one’s memory.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy.