A Belarusian man dubbed the “world’s most monstrous bodybuilder” has reportedly died of a heart attack at the age of 36.
Illia ‘Golem’ Yefimchyk ate seven times a day and consumed 16,500 calories, including 108 pieces of sushi and 2.5 kilograms of steak.
Known as “The 340-Pound Beast” and also The Mutant, he was 1.85 metres tall and had a 1.55 metre chest and 63 centimetre biceps.
He reportedly suffered a heart attack at home on September 6, while his wife Anna was performing chest compressions while waiting for an ambulance.
The bodybuilder was taken to hospital by helicopter.
Illia ‘Golem’ Yefimchyk, known as The Mutant, died at the age of 36 after suffering a heart attack.
He began his journey in bodybuilding as a teenager with the desire to follow in the footsteps of the greats.
“I have been praying all this time, hoping that Illia would recover,” Anna told local Belarusian media.
‘I spent every day by his side, waiting, and his heart started beating again for two days, but the doctor gave me the terrible news that his brain was dead.’
After her death, she said: “I thank everyone for their condolences. It is very comforting to realise that I am not alone in this world and that so many people have offered me help and support.”
Russian newspaper Kommersant reported: “On September 6, the athlete suffered a heart attack and fell into a coma.”
His death was confirmed on September 11.
Yefimchyk impressively achieved 600-pound bench press, 700-pound deadlift, and 700-pound squat lifts.
Although he did not compete professionally, he became iconic on social media with over 300,000 followers on Instagram and fans who watched him push the limits of human ability.
The Belarusian said he always wanted to have chest and biceps like Arnold Schwarzenegger
He lived in Belarus, then in the Czech Republic, the United States and Dubai.
At school in Belarus, he reportedly weighed 70 kg and could not do a single push-up.
“My transformation is the result of years of hard training and discipline, coupled with an understanding of exercise physiology and nutrition,” he said.
‘My mission is to instill a work ethic in people so that they can overcome and conquer their fears while acting confidently toward the betterment of themselves and those around them.’
Speaking to Muscular Development in 2020, he said he began his journey in bodybuilding as a teenager with the desire to follow in the footsteps of the greats.
“All I knew was that I wanted to have Arnold Schwarzenegger’s chest and biceps,” he said.
His goal before he died was to reach 380 pounds.
He lived in Belarus, then in the Czech Republic, the United States and Dubai.
He is not the first bodybuilder to die young recently, and his passing is likely to raise questions about the health risks associated with bodybuilding.
Others include Brazilian Antonion Souza, 26, and British bodybuilder Neil Currey, 34.