A teenage bodybuilder has been found dead just a few years after overcoming obesity.
Over the weekend, Matheus Pavlak, from Brazil was found dead in his home after a suspected heart attack, five years after becoming dedicated to the sport in order to help transform his body.
Committed to the craft, he became a regular competitor in the state of Santa Catarina in the South American country, and last year, he even won a U23 contest to become Mr. Blumenau in his home city.
Taking to social media, his ex-trainer Lucas Chegatti posted an emotional tribute to the 19-year-old, stating that his sudden death "took us by surprise."
"Today ends in a sad day with the loss of a great friend, a spectacular boy who leaves us early, a tragedy that took us by surprise. He had a brilliant future ahead of him as a respected athlete," he wrote in a statement alongside photos of the teen.
"God has his plans but it's hard to understand, I don't have the words to explain the weight I feel in my heart," Chegatti continued. "I was Matheus' first coach and I'm very proud to have had the opportunity to have cared for him like a son. I promised him that one day he would beat me and said and done, the first time we competed together against each other, he ended up winning."
The former trainer also mentioned Pavlak used bodybuilding as a means to overcome his health issues related to obesity.
"He started training harder around the year 2019 due to obesity. In 2022 when we met, we aligned our training and started aiming at making him a champion," he added.
"He was no longer a part of my team, but I know I managed to form a great athlete. May God comfort his family and take care of our boy."
The 19-year-old often took to social media to post images of his incredible transformation over the years alongside captions to help motivate others to do the same.
"It doesn't matter how difficult or impossible your dream is," he wrote in one post comparing photos from his youth until recently. "If you really want to you'll make it come true. I DID."
Other posts showed him constantly working out with the young man highlighting how "consistency" played a role in transforming his body as well as his mind.
While there have been some rumors surrounding potential substance abuse in the comments of the star's latest posts, a close acquaintance of Pavlak shut them down.
"How can human beings exist that are capable of offending the memory of a boy who is no longer here to defend himself!! Lots of strength to Matheus' family. And a message to the authors of these toxic and inhumane comments, be careful. What goes around comes around," they wrote under a post.
He is suspected to have died from a heart attack but an official cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Our thoughts are with Pavlak's loved ones during this difficult time.
