Shawn Rhoden has died at the age of 46 from a heart attack, according to reports.
Rhoden, who was crowned Mr Olympia in 2018 at the age of 43, making him the oldest bodybuilder to ever win the title, remained committed to bodybuilding until his death.
While an official announcement on Rhoden’s death has not yet been made, sources close to him told bodybuilding and fitness outlet Generation Iron that of the tragic news.
Rhoden’s trainer, Chris Aceto, has also reportedly confirmed to close friends that the former champion had died.
The outlet reports that Rhoden suffered a heart attack which proved to be fatal.
In his final social media post, made three days ago, Rhoden wrote: ‘Brick by brick and patience it will take. See you on the other side.’
Fans and colleagues of the champion have been flocking to social media to pay tribute to Rhoden.
Fitness guru and longtime fan Bonheur wrote: ‘Shawn was so genuine man, for him to message me, follow me and give me words of encouragement being a random kid from Australia just went to show how good of a man he was.
‘I can’t believe he just left us.’
Bodybuilding pro Jeremy Potvin sent a series of praying emojis with the words: ‘going to miss you brother’.
Fellow bodybuilders Baran Kalyci and Bradley Martin also paid tribute, with Bradley writing: ‘Such a kind soul. Rest In Peace..’
Rob Bailey said: ‘One of the greatest. we had so many good times together. You will be missed man’.
Roger Snipes wrote: ‘Oh man. This is dreadful. My deepest and sincere condolences to your loved ones brother.’
Kai Greene said ‘LEGACY LIVES FOREVER’, and Simeon Panda wrote: ‘Shocked and saddened to learn this news this morning, rest in peace brother. ‘
Rhoden was a celebrated bodybuilder, finishing in the top five in the Mr Olympia competition multiple years in a row before finally being crowned the winner in 2018.
While he became interested in bodybuilding in the 1990s, he fell out of the sport before ultimately returning as a professional in 2010.
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