A 30-year-old Brazilian bodybuilder collapsed and died moments after competing in a championship event, shocking the fitness community and raising serious concerns about competitor safety. Wanderson da Silva Moreira collapsed backstage and died at the Pantanal bodybuilding championship, despite feeling unwell earlier that day. Moreira, who had a history of high blood pressure, was treated by emergency services for over an hour before being pronounced dead on the scene.
The Tragic Incident at Pantanal Championship
Wanderson da Silva Moreira, a 30-year-old bodybuilder, collapsed and died shortly after his performance at the Pantanal bodybuilding championship in Campo Grande, Brazil. Despite reportedly feeling unwell earlier in the day, Moreira insisted on competing in the event. Witnesses stated that he collapsed backstage following his performance, triggering an immediate emergency response. Medical personnel attempted to revive him for over an hour, but their efforts were unsuccessful, and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Moreira had a documented history of high blood pressure, which may have contributed to his suspected heart attack. The Pantanal event, considered a major bodybuilding competition in western Brazil, continued after Moreira’s death, though with a somber atmosphere. Local authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of death and whether proper safety protocols were followed at the competition.
Bodybuilder dies aged 30 after collapsing during competition in front of horrified spectators.https://t.co/otx1fjIL4c pic.twitter.com/Dld2fOUp5a
— Mirror Sport (@MirrorSport) May 12, 2025
A Pattern of Tragedy in the Bodybuilding Community
Moreira’s death is unfortunately part of a disturbing trend of fatalities in the bodybuilding world. Just weeks prior, Brazilian bodybuilding champion Guilherme Henrique, known as Gui Bull, also died at age 30. Henrique was a celebrated figure in the Maringa fitness community who competed in Classic Physique and Classic Bodybuilding categories. At the time of his death, he was pursuing a degree in nutrition and already held a degree in biology.
“The cause of his death was asphyxiation due to bronchoaspiration and has nothing to do with the speculation that has been circulating.” – Jessica Belenello
In the United States, 20-year-old bodybuilding coach Jodi Vance recently died of dehydration after taking harmful supplements, including a fat-burning drug and a diuretic. Vance had attended Arnold Schwarzenegger’s sports festival in Columbus to support her students when the tragedy occurred. Her coach later revealed she had taken these substances without proper guidance or approval from her coaching team or family.
Bodybuilder dies aged 30 after collapsing during competition as horrified spectators look onhttps://t.co/ToeQPH3zVB
— Sun Sport (@SunSport) May 12, 2025
Rising Concerns About Bodybuilding Health Risks
The recent string of deaths has highlighted the extreme health risks associated with competitive bodybuilding. Australian influencer Jaxon Tippett died of a heart attack likely linked to past steroid abuse, while Belarusian bodybuilder Illia Yefimchyk and Brazilian heavyweight Antonio Souza also died with steroid use and health issues implicated in their deaths. These cases reveal the dangerous measures some competitors take to achieve physique goals.
The deaths have prompted calls for stricter health screenings before competitions and better education about the dangers of extreme dehydration techniques, performance-enhancing drugs, and other potentially dangerous practices common in the sport. Wanderson Moreira’s coach described him as “a man with a huge heart” and expressed deep sorrow over his passing, saying, “All we can do is grieve this loss and pray to ask God to comfort his family and all of us. You are, and always will be, part of our team and family.”