‘World’s most monstrous’ bodybuilder dead at age 36

A body building cult hero has died suddenly with devastating details emerging about his wife’s reaction as the tragedy unfolded.

A Belarusian man known as the world’s “most monstrous bodybuilder” and ate seven meals a day has died at 36 years old.

Illia “Golem” Yefimchyk’s death last week was confirmed on Thursday by an international bodybuilding Instagram page.

The athlete allegedly suffered a heart attack at home on September 6 and fell into a coma, the Daily Mail reported, citing Belarusian and Russian media.

His wife, Anna, supposedly performed chest compressions on him while they waited for the ambulance.

“I spent every day by his side, hoping, and his heart started beating again for two days, but the doctor gave me the terrible news that his brain had died,” the grieving widow told the local media.

Illia Yefimchyk rarely posted on Instagram. Photo: Instgram, @golem_illia.

Illia Yefimchyk's death rocked the sport. Photo: INstagram, @whoisthebestbb.

“I thank everyone for their condolences. It’s very heartwarming to realise that I am not left alone in this world, and so many people have offered me help and support.”

Yefimchyk was dubbed “The Mutant” by the bodybuilding world for his staggering 6-foot, 340-pound frame, Muscle and Fitness reported.

The disciplined athlete claimed that he maintained 25-inch biceps through a “mass monster” diet of up to 16,500 calories per day.

His seven daily meals supposedly included over five pounds of steak and more than 100 pieces of sushi.

Illia Golem. Photo: Instagram, @Siberianpowershow.

Illia Yefimchyk alongside a Czech model. Photo: Instagran, @alinavskv.

Yefimchyk did not compete in professional bodybuilding, but shared his workouts online, where he had over 100,000 followers across all platforms.

He was supposedly inspired to start lifting weights after seeing Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stalone at their physical peaks, Muscle and Fitness said.

Yefimchyk claimed he could perform a 600-pound bench press, a 700-pound deadlift, and 700-pound squats.

News of Yefimchyk’s death comes not long after the deaths of British bodybuilder Neil Currey, 34, and Brazilian competitor Antonio Souza, 26.

Currey was found dead in his apartment in September 2023. His parents blamed his passing on prolonged steroid use, the BBC reported.

Souza died from cardiac arrest shortly after he finished in the top 3 at a competition on August 3, UNILAD said.

Originally published as ‘World’s most monstrous’ bodybuilder dead at age 36