A week after competing at the Atlanta Pro competition, Trinidad and Tobago-born bodybuilder Dwayne Quamina passed away suddenly on Sunday at the age of 40.
Quamina, known in bodybuilding circles as “King Q”, was born in 1986 in T&T and lived at La Horquetta, before migrating to the United States, where he eventually settled in California. He remained active in bodybuilding until his death Sunday, just days after competing at the 2026 Atlanta Pro.
Quamina placed sixth in the 212 division at the Atlanta Pro on August 9. His death came as a shock to the bodybuilding community, with tributes quickly pouring in from athletes and industry figures around the world.
A veteran of the IFBB Pro League, Quamina enjoyed his best career finish at the 2018 Mr Olympia, where he placed tenth. He stepped away from competition in 2020, but returned to the stage in 2025, launching another competitive campaign that included appearances at the Chicago Pro and Atlanta Pro.
His return to competition continued into 2026, culminating in his sixth-place finish in Atlanta. The cause of death had not been disclosed at the time of publication.
The news prompted an outpouring of grief from fellow bodybuilders who had seen Quamina in Atlanta only days earlier.
British bodybuilder James Hollingshead expressed his disbelief, saying: “No, man, I was just with him last week.”
Eight-time Ms Olympia champion Lenda Murray also paid tribute, saying: “My thoughts and prayers are for the family. Sincere condolences.”
Patrick Moore said he had also seen Quamina only a few days earlier in Atlanta, while IFBB professional Jayme Toyas remembered him as, “such a positive personality,” adding, “World lost a good one.”
Quamina’s contribution extended beyond competition. The 4:13 Fitness Center in El Centro, California, where he trained, described him as a father, husband, mentor and friend who was known for his tremendous strength and infectious personality. “If you spent any time here, you knew Dwayne,” the gym said in a tribute. “Dwayne Quamina aka ‘King Q’ was a father, husband, mentor, and friend to many.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to help support Quamina’s wife and children following his sudden death. The campaign is also being promoted by the 4:13 Fitness Center as the bodybuilding community rallies around his family.
The fundraiser can be accessed here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/dwayne-quamina.
