Legendary lifter Gustavo Badell, who was known as one of the most dedicated athletes in the sport, passed away at the age of 50.
According to Muscle RX owner and former bodybuilding legend Dave Palumbo, Badell, also known as The Freakin Rican, passed away on Wednesday.
His cause of death is still unknown.
Palumbo wrote on Instagram in tribute to his lifelong friend: “It is with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to @ifbbprogustavobadell… He passed away today at the premature age of 50.”
When I would ask him, “Gustavo, how did you beat 8-time Mr. Olympia @ronniecoleman8 in the challenge round at the Olympia?,” he would always reply, ‘HARD WORK!’
“Yes, he was among the hardest-working bodybuilders of all time. His best year was 2005 when he defeated Lee Priest to win the IFBB IRONMAN and finished third at Mr. Olympia behind Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler. Gustavo, RIP! We’ll miss you.”
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