A Majorcan bodybuilder who survived life-threatening cancer and peritonitis has died aged 50.
Tributes were paid today to Xisco Serra upon news of his premature death, attributed locally to natural causes after suffering stomach problems.
This sports science graduate, who started lifting weights at the age of 16, began competing three decades ago and participated in around 90 competitions.
His most notable wins on the international stage include Mr World IBFA in Rome in 2011 and Mr Universe IBFA in the 40+ category in 2014, the same year he was voted Overall Musclebeach Champion after competing in Venice, California.
He was still competing last year when he was crowned champion of a competition held in Tenerife.
Xisco had his own gym in his native Majorcan town, Alcudia, called XS Fitness Center, and he also advised hundreds of athletes online.
Xisco Serra (in the photo) died after surviving cancer and peritonitis
Tributes were paid today to Xisco Serra after news of his premature death, attributed locally to natural causes after suffering stomach problems.
He regularly showed off his rippling muscles on his Instagram page, where he displayed past photos and videos of competitions he had participated in and his hard training days before his death to his 27,500 followers.
He urged his fans in a recent social media post, showing him posing in a pair of tiny black boxers: “Work on your dreams” before adding: “This is a phrase that has definitely represented me for as long as I can remember.”
Speaking about his nightmare skin cancer diagnosis in 2016 in an online biography, Xisco said: “After several months of tests, operations and medications that leave me far from the appearance of a bodybuilder, this is the biggest of my battles. to win against this disease. and although there are hard moments when you think about throwing in the towel, you want to be strong to overcome all obstacles, not only physical, but above all mental.
‘But as I always like to say, EVERYTHING in life happens for a reason: it was necessary for an illness to arise that made me focus on life and my future from another perspective and, despite my insistence, part of the machinery failed and I had I have to prioritize my recovery.
“I also had to find a trigger along the way that made me focus on life and my future from a different perspective.”
He became a father to his first daughter, Maria, in August 2018, a year after his peritonitis drama, and said at the time that it made him feel “the luckiest human being in the world.”
A supporter wrote today in tribute after learning of his death: “RIP coach, may the good Lord welcome you with open arms.”
Another said: ‘I can’t believe it, I’m really sorry for your family and especially your daughter.’
‘You were and always will be a role model Xisco.
“Thank you very much for everything you have done and rest in peace.”
Another posted an emotional letter to his daughter online, saying: ‘Dear Maria, in these difficult times, I want to express my deepest condolences for the loss of your beloved father, Xisco Serra.
He regularly showed off his rippling muscles on his Instagram page, where he displayed throwback photos and videos from competitions he had participated in.
A supporter wrote today in tribute after learning of his death: “RIP coach, may the good Lord welcome you with open arms.”
‘I know that his departure leaves a huge void in your heart and in the world of global bodybuilding.
‘Your dad was a hero in the gym, but above all, he was an incredible father to you. I know he may be confusing and painful right now, but I want you to know that his love for you will never fade. Every memory, every hug and every smile you shared will stay with you forever.
‘When you read this, I want you to know that you are surrounded by love and support. Although your dad is no longer physically here, his spirit lives on in you and everyone around you.
“You are strong and brave, like him, and we will always be here to help you, to help you and support you in everything you need.”
In April, a Brazilian bodybuilder and fitness instructor died at age 29 after losing his battle with Covid.
Jonas Filho, known as Jonas Big, had left his 10,400 Instagram followers worried after posting photos of him connected to a respirator in a hospital in the city of Fortaleza shortly after his admission.
He wrote alongside the snapshots: “Only God knows the pain and tears of the clown.”
In a previous post, referring to his humble upbringing in the state of Ceará, in northeastern Brazil, he wrote alongside a photo of himself in the gym during a workout: “Whoever comes from a poor family has only one option and one opportunity.” .
‘The option to work to have the opportunity to turn the game around. And I don’t think about anything else.’
His most notable wins on the international stage include Mr World IBFA in Rome in 2011 and Mr Universe IBFA in the 40+ category in 2014.
He was still competing last year when he was proclaimed champion of a competition held in Tenerife
He was posting on his social media channels days before his death.
Days before his death it was learned that a Portuguese bodybuilder had died at the age of 46 in Cologne, Germany.
Marco Luis, better known by his nickname Monster or Monster in his native language, worked as an online coach and motivator.
His wife Mariza Luis, born in Canada, confirmed the sad news and said he was “in his ‘paradise’ doing what he loved.”
Marco Luis, a native of the volcanic island of Terceira in the Azores archipelago, had almost 25,000 followers on Instagram and his own YouTube channel alone.
He called bodybuilding “his life and passion” and had in the past referred to himself online as “the most shredded bodybuilder of all time.”