Brazilian bodybuilder famed for his punishing training routines dies aged 31 weeks after proposing to girlfriend on stage

A Brazilian bodybuilder famed for showing fans his punishing training routines on social media has died just weeks after proposing to his girlfriend on stage.

Ricardo Nolasco dos Santos died aged 31 on Monday in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul. The cause of his death has not yet been made public.

His father Amauri Santos said in an emotional social media post after news of his death emerged and he announced his funeral details: ‘The saddest day of my life. My beloved son.’

The strongman, better known as Kadu Santos, was an 11-times bodybuilding champion and two-times overall champion of a prestigious regional Muscle Contest competition.

He showed off his punishing gym routines and his bulging biceps to his 13,000 followers on Instagram where he also offered advice on how to keep in shape.

One of the photos he had posted online showed him on one knee, proposing to Sabrina Wollman, who he started dating in August 2021. She said ‘yes’ on July 19 this year.

Wollman, a personal trainer, said at the time: ‘I love you with all my heart, I admire you and I’m very proud of what we have become together throughout these years.

‘Thank you for helping me become the best version of myself. I choose you every day to share this mad life with you.’

Kadu’s funeral took place yesterday in Novo Hamburgo on the outskirts of the city of Porto Alegre following a wake.

Friend and fellow bodybuilder Diego Wiegand said in an emotional social media tribute: ‘Today, heaven is certainly celebrating. Kadu was a person who was completely out of the ordinary, incredible as an athlete, coach, and even more so as a person.

‘It is with great sadness that I say goodbye to you today.

‘It is very difficult to accept, and I still haven’t come to terms with it, but you have left a legacy here on earth and will always be remembered by everyone for the man you were! I love you, brother.’

One of Kadu’s fans had written when the bodybuilder showed off his impressive muscles in photos he posted to celebrate his birthday: ‘Who am I to say this but without doubt this is one of the most beautiful and aesthetically pleasing physiques I have ever seen in person! Happy birthday to you, brother.’

Another wrote after news of his death, which has been described as ‘sudden’: ‘Rest in peace champion. Many people took inspiration from you.’

PowerCT, the training centre where he worked, also mourned his death in a statement, saying: ‘Kadu was always an example of dedication, discipline and companionship, leaving a mark of inspiration among colleagues, teachers and friends.’

Kadu’s fiancee posted details of his funeral on her Instagram yesterday but has yet to make any official comment.

In May Brazilian bodybuilder Wanderson Da Silva Moreira, 30, died in front of a horrified audience after collapsing mid-competition.

Reports at the time said the father-of-two had suffered a cardiac arrest at the event in Campo Grande.

He had been competing in the Pantanal Contest, a gateway to Mr Olympia Brazil and the Arnold Classic South America.

Eyewitnesses said Wanderson appeared unsteady on his feet before collapsing on stage in front of judges and a live audience.

He was treated for over an hour by medical staff, but was pronounced dead shortly afterwards.

In July a Spanish female bodybuilder died aged just 37 after suffering a suspected heart attack.

Lorena Blanco, who was preparing to take part in Ms Olympia in Las Vegas in October, was taken to hospital after collapsing at her home in Lugo in Spain’s north-west Galicia region.

She was rushed to a nearby hospital but pronounced dead shortly after arrival.

Lorena, who worked out at a sports club in her native city called the Club Fluvial de Lugo, was trained by her husband Isi Bolanos who is also well-known in the bodybuilding world.

In November last year a male bodybuilder died aged just 28 after suffering a heart attack during a punishing training session.

Jose Mateus Correia Silva was working out with friends at a gym in Aguas Claras near the Brazilian capital Brasilia when he fell ill.

He was rushed to a nearby fire station by a firefighter pal he was with but efforts to revive him lasting more than an hour proved unsuccessful.

Jose’s heartbroken brother Tiago paid tribute to him in an emotional social media post, writing alongside a photo of the tragic athlete: ‘You were incredible. Thank you for so much. I love you.’

Insisting his sibling was ‘in good shape’ and didn’t have any health problems he was aware of in an interview with local media, he added: ‘Heaven has gained an angel. Jose was a much-loved man.’

The dead man had competed, finishing ninth in the Men’s Physique Class up to 179cm in the 2018 South American Championships after an eleventh placing a year earlier in the Men’s Bodybuilding Class up to 100kg in the Arnold Classic South America.

Although he wasn’t competing when he died, Jose kept himself busy between training sessions preparing other bodybuilders for competitions and was the owner of an online supplements store.

He had also qualified as a lawyer and completed a nutrition course.