Belarusian Bodybuilder ‘Golem’ Dies at 36 After Heart Attack

A Belarusian bodybuilder, Illia Yefimchyk, famously known as ‘Golem’ and dubbed the world’s ‘most monstrous bodybuilder,’ has died at the age of 36.

Yefimchyk, who gained international recognition for his extreme physique and strength, suffered a heart attack on September 6 and passed away on September 11 after spending several days in a coma.

Yefimchyk was known for his extraordinary diet, which included an astonishing 16,500 calories daily, 108 pieces of sushi, and nearly 6 pounds of steak.

His massive 6ft 1in frame weighed 340 pounds, with a 61-inch chest and 25-inch biceps, earning him nicknames like ‘The Mutant’ and ‘340-lb Beast.’

Despite not competing professionally, Yefimchyk built a large social media following, with over 300,000 fans on Instagram.

Belarusian bodybuilder Illia ‘Golem’ Yefimchyk was well-known on social media (Picture: East2West)

His incredible strength captivated his audience, watching him perform feats such as bench pressing 600 pounds and deadlifting and squatting 700 pounds. He often shared his fitness journey and insights on nutrition and training, inspiring many with his dedication to pushing the boundaries of human potential.

His transformation was remarkable, particularly considering that he weighed just 154 pounds (11 stone) in his youth and struggled to do a single push-up.

Reflecting on his journey, Yefimchyk once said, “My transformation is a result of years of hard training and discipline, paired with an understanding of exercise physiology and nutrition.

My mission is to instil a work ethic in people so they can overcome and surmount their fears while acting confidently toward the betterment of themselves and those around them.”

As a child, Yefimchyk could not complete a single push-up (Picture: East2West)

Yefimchyk’s health took a sudden turn on September 6 when he suffered a heart attack at home. His wife, Anna, performed chest compressions while waiting for paramedics.

He was airlifted to the hospital, where doctors managed to restart his heart for two days, but his condition remained critical. Anna shared her grief with the Belarusian news outlet Online, saying, “I prayed all this time, hoping that Illia would recover. I spent every day by his side, hoping, and his heart started beating again for two days, but the doctor gave me the terrible news that his brain had died.”

He died of a heart attack aged just 36 (Picture: East2West)

Anna later expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support she received following his death. “I thank everyone for their condolences. It’s heart-warming to realise that I am not left alone in this world, and so many people have offered me help and support,” she said.

Yefimchyk’s bodybuilding journey began after a schoolteacher encouraged him to take up the sport. He was inspired by iconic figures like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone and had set a personal goal to reach 380 pounds before his untimely death.

His passing has reignited discussions about the potential health risks associated with extreme bodybuilding. Yefimchyk is not the first prominent figure in the sport to die young. Recently, Brazil’s Antonio Souza, 26, and British bodybuilder Neil Currey, 34, also passed away, prompting concern within the bodybuilding community.

Yefimchyk’s death has left many mourning the loss of a man who pushed the limits of physical endurance while inspiring countless others along the way.

Sola Adeniji

News Reporter, Freelancer, and content creator

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