A 19-year-old bodybuilder, Matheus Pavlak, died at his home in Blumenau, Brazil, from an apparent heart attack on Sunday, September 1, as confirmed by the Santa Catarina Fire Department.

Pavlak was an active participant in regional bodybuilding events throughout southern Brazil, and he achieved notable success, such as winning the U23 contest in 2023. He frequently shared his journey and accomplishments on social media to inspire others with his dedication and transformation.

Pavlak posted a motivational video that highlighted his physical changes over the years in August 2022: “No matter the difficulty or impossibility of your dream, if you really want it, you will get there. I HAVE ARRIVED!” he stated in a message translated from Portuguese.

Pavlak gained recognition in the bodybuilding world after he successfully overcame obesity during his teenage years and transformed into a shredded physique. His former coach, Lucas Chegatti, expressed deep sorrow over Pavlak’s untimely death with a heartfelt tribute on Instagram (translated from Portuguese):

“🖤 ​​Today the day ends sad,” Chegatti wrote. “The loss of a great friend, a spectacular boy who leaves us early, a fatality that took us by surprise, he had a bright future ahead of him, a respectable athlete.”

In his tribute, Chegatti noted his pride in having coached Pavlak, whom he regarded as a son. He recalled, “I promised him that one day he would beat me and said and done, the first time we competed against each other, he ended up winning. He was no longer part of my team, but I know that I managed to develop a great athlete.”

Pavlak’s unexpected passing left a notable impact on the bodybuilding community and trainer Eduardo De Oliveira commented on Chegatti’s tribute: “He always wanted to know what it felt like to go on stage, and one day his dream came true. Be at peace, my brother.”

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