![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/gustavo-badell-dead-at-50-champion-bodybuilder-known-as-the-freakin-rican-mourned-by-lifting-community/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/SC-Gustavo-Badell-Breaker-OP-copy.jpg&description=LEGEND LOST Gustavo Badell dead at 50: Champion bodybuilder known as the 'Freakin Rican' mourned by lifting community LEGENDARY bodybuilder Gustavo Badell, recognized as one of the hardest-working lifters in the sport, has died at age 50. Badell, nicknamed The Freakin Rican, died on Wednesday, Muscle RX owner and former bodybuilding iconic Dave Palumbo revealed. 3 Former Mr. Olympia Gustavo Badell has died at age 50 Credit: Alamy 3 The Venezuelan-born weightlifter was among the greatest bodybuilders in the sport Credit: Instagram/ifbbprogustavobadell 3 Badell famously eliminated both bodybuilding icons Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler in the 2005 Mr. Olympia competition's challenger round Credit: Alamy His cause of death has yet to be determined. Palumbo paid tribute to his longtime friend on Instagram, writing: "It's with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to @ifbbprogustavobadell … he passed today at the age of 50, way too young. "He always told me when I'd ask him 'Gustavo, how did you beat 8x Mr Olympia @ronniecoleman8 in the challenge round at the Olympia?' …. 'HARD WORK!' "Yes he was one of the hardest working bodybuilders of all time, having his best year in 2005 when he won the IFBB IRONMAN (beating @leepriestofficial72 ) and then placing 3rd at the Mr Olympia behind @ronniecoleman8 and @jaycutler … RIP Gustavo! You'll be missed!" Badell began weightlifting at age 15 to increase his size. He quickly gained muscle mass and entered his first competition at 19. That year, he won the 1991 Junior Caribbean BodyBuilding Championship. His first International Federation of Bodybuilding appearance came in 1998 when he competed in the Grand Pix of Germany. Badell consistently kept participating in bodybuilding championships through the '90s and the 2000s. During his prime, the IFBB stud held his own with bodybuilding legends like Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler. Badell's defining moment came in 2005 when he eliminated both Coleman and Cutler in the Mr. Olympia competition's){kind=link}
LEGENDARY bodybuilder Gustavo Badell, recognized as one of the hardest-working lifters in the sport, has died at age 50.
Badell, nicknamed The Freakin Rican, died on Wednesday, Muscle RX owner and former bodybuilding iconic Dave Palumbo revealed.
His cause of death has yet to be determined.
Palumbo paid tribute to his longtime friend on Instagram, writing: “It’s with a heavy heart that I say goodbye to @ifbbprogustavobadell … he passed today at the age of 50, way too young.
“He always told me when I’d ask him ‘Gustavo, how did you beat 8x Mr Olympia @ronniecoleman8 in the challenge round at the Olympia?’ …. ‘HARD WORK!’