Bodybuilding Champion Dies Suddenly at 40, Weeks After Competition and Motivational Post
Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Bodybuilding community mourns the sudden death of Dwayne Quamina at age 40.
- Quamina died just a week after competing and sharing a motivational message about living without regrets.
- He was a devoted father, husband, friend, and a proud veteran who inspired many.
The bodybuilding world is in shock following the unexpected death of Dwayne Quamina, who passed away at the age of 40. His passing occurred only a week after he competed in the Lenda Murray Atlanta Pro Supershow, securing sixth place. His wife, Leah Jerez, confirmed the news on Instagram, but the cause of death remains undisclosed, deepening the sense of grief and confusion.
Quamina appeared healthy and was actively discussing his training and future plans in the days leading up to his death. His recent competitive form was impressive, making his sudden demise even more startling. Tributes poured in from fellow athletes worldwide. British bodybuilder James Hollingshead expressed disbelief, stating he had been with Quamina the previous week. Regan Grimes shared a poignant memory of preparing alongside Quamina in Atlanta, reflecting on the preciousness of life.
Lenda Murray, the eight-time Ms. Olympia, and IFBB professional Jayme Toyas also offered condolences, with Toyas remembering Quamina as a "positive personality" and a "good man." Just weeks before his death, Quamina posted a profound message on Instagram, where he had over 100,000 followers: "Stop taking life for granted, go for it and have no regrets when it's all said and done." This message, along with others encouraging followers to reach their full potential, now carries a tragic weight.
Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Quamina served over a decade in the U.S. Navy before his bodybuilding career. This experience significantly shaped him, and he often spoke about the camaraderie veterans miss after leaving the service. Friend Keri Valdez remembered him as more than an athlete, calling him a "devoted father, loving husband, loyal friend, proud veteran, and fitness champion" who inspired those around him with his strength and determination.
Tko ลพelite postati? Jednom kad to shvatite, sve ลกto preostaje jest da izaฤete i to postanete.
Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.