The world of bodybuilding is stunned after losing a prolific talent whose mass and size left fans taken aback for years. It was confirmed via Instagram that Illia ‘Golem’ Yefimchyk died at age 36; as of this writing, his cause of death has not been revealed.
After following in the footsteps of bodybuilding heroes Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, Illia Golem hit the gym at a young age, determined for people to see him as a monster. The Czech Republic native was known for his freakish size, weighing over 348 pounds and standing six feet tall.
Bodybuilder Illia Golem Passes Away at 36 Years Old
Golem was dubbed ‘the most monstrous’ bodybuilder, able to bench press 272 kilograms (that’s just under 600 pounds!) and deadlift 317 kilograms (nearly 700 pounds). To maintain his incredible muscle mass and strength, Illia Golem consumed a mouth-watering 16,500-calorie diet consisting of seven densely packed meals.
Unfortunately, his untimely passing has fans remembering Illia Golem and his incredible accomplishments. At this time, his cause of death is unknown, and no details have been shared.
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“#BodybuildingNEWS
R.I.P ILLIA GOLEM (@supersportguru) at 36 years of age, confirmed by @whoisthebestbbSad news for bodybuilding.
Our condolences to friends and family 🙏🖤
Via: @whoisthebestbb” bodybuildingnewsonline wrote.
While the cause of death for Illia Golem has yet to be revealed, the number of lives lost in the bodybuilding community is at an all-time high. With so many younger bodybuilders passing away, former eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney issued a dire warning suggesting that the sport has become unsafe over the years. He believes that athletes are after a dryer physique, which is leading to kidney problems and possibly even heart attacks.
Lee Haney’s warning seems not to have fallen on deaf ears since Men’s Open bodybuilder Tonio Burton recently decided to bow out of the 2024 Mr. Olympia because he and his coach believe that taking time off PEDs is important. Additionally, reigning two-time Ms. Bikini Olympia Jennifer Dorie also withdrew from the prestigious event, however, she cited her reasoning as personal obligations.
Unfortunately, the bodybuilding community is being plagued with deaths. Recently, Brazilian bodybuilder Antonio Souza passed away at the age of 26 after suffering a heart attack, having competed the night before at the Navega Open, earning a spot in the top three. A few months earlier, Neil Currey was found unresponsive in his home and was announced deceased. Following his death, Currey’s parents were adamant that steroids played a role in his passing.
Another bodybuilding talent is gone too soon. We extend our condolences to the friends and family of Illia Golem during this challenging time.
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