A BRAZILIAN bodybuilder and fitness influencer has tragically died aged 29 after being rushed to hospital with Covid.
Jonas Filho, known as Jonas Big, was rushed to Sao Jose Hospital in the Ceara state capital Fortaleza in the early hours of April 15.
The influencer left his 10,400 Instagram followers worried after he published photos of himself on a respirator shortly after his admission.
He posted the photos alongside the caption: “Only God knows the pain and tears of the clown.”
It has since emerged that he was diagnosed with pneumonia shortly after, and then Covid-19.
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His death was confirmed late on April 19.
Jonas, who last won the 2023 Musclecontest Rio Pro, worked as a personal trainer.
He was known for being the first bodybuilder in Ceara to compete professionally.
The late influencer spoke openly about the suffering bodybuilding has cost him in an emotional Instagram post last October.
He wrote: “My blood clots hurt with every step, my joints hurt more and more with each series.
“It’s been so long that on the days when I feel less pain it seems strangle.
“And if I wake up one day and there is no pain, I will miss you.”
He ended his post by saying: “It’s a dependence. I need it and I’m not ashamed to always get it.
“If you think I’m talking about drugs, I’m referring to the pain.”
In another post, referring to his upbringing in Ceara, he wrote: “Whoever comes from a poor family has only one option and one chance.
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"The option to work to have the opportunity to turn the game around. And I don’t think about anything else."
Heartbroken fans have been flooding the internet with tributes to the muscleman.
One said: “I met Jonas in college. He was a top guy. Unbelievable.”
Rio de Janeiro-based personal trainer Mardenes Cardoso said: “The angels have carried him to the great training ground of the heroes.
“A warrior has left us and the legend lives on of one of the greatest athletes Ceara produced.
“Your name will be remembered for ever. Rest in peace Jonas Filho.”
Female strength coach Sarah Lydia added overnight on social media: “I found out today and I’m still in shock.
“My deepest condolences to his family and friends. He was an outstanding guy.”
The 29-year-old is survived by his parents.
It comes after a Portuguese bodybuilder died aged 46 in Cologne, Germany, last Sunday.
The muscleman, dubbed "Monster", had a massive following on social media - and worked as an online coach and motivator.
His wife confirmed the news in a Facebook post saying: " Yes, I can confirm that Marco has died in Cologne, Germany.
“He was in his ‘paradise’ doing what he loved.
“As Marco died in a foreign country, I will have to bring his body back to Portugal after it is released which may take a few days.
"Thank you in advance for all the support I've received, you've been tireless. I ask for everyone's understanding at this difficult time and please I ask for respect."
The reason for the bodybuilder's death is currently unknown.
On March 27, Brazilian influencer and powerlifting champion Rhayara Morais was discovered lifeless in her bed at her apartment in Aguas Claras.
Rhayara, who had nearly 150,000 followers on Instagram and boasted of having half a million fans on Tiktok, won a regional powerlifting title after taking up the sport around two years ago.
Brazilian Eustacio Batista Dias, 27, was shot dead after trying to escape his killers when they started firing at him as he chatted to another man between exercises.
One unconfirmed local report at the time said the assassins may have been able to confirm their victim's whereabouts through photos and a video he posted to Instagram.
Another bodybuilding champ died last year after taking a lethal cocktail of drugs including steroids, an inquest heard.
Neil Currey, 34, was found unresponsive in his Sheffield flat in September 2023.
An inquest heard the professional bodybuilder died from a mix of methamphetamine and cocaine.
Neil's body had also struggled with his prolonged use of steroids, with his parents blaming the drug for his death.
