Former Mr. Olympia bodybuilder Dwayne Quamina, known as “King Q,” has died suddenly at 40. The Trinidad and Tobago-born athlete died on Sunday, August 16, 2026, just six days after competing at the Lenda Murray Atlanta Pro, where he finished sixth in the Men’s 212 division. The cause of death has not been announced. Quamina’s death was confirmed by his wife, Leah Jerez, as tributes came in for the bodybuilder, Navy veteran, husband and father of two. His death came weeks after he shared a message asking his followers to “stop taking life for granted.”
Dwayne Quamina’s final competition and bodybuilding career
Quamina had remained active in professional bodybuilding until days before his death. At the Lenda Murray Atlanta Pro in Atlanta, Georgia, on August 9, he placed sixth in the Men’s 212 division. The official IFBB Pro League results list Dwayne Quamina in sixth place behind Juan Aleman, Marco Ruz, Cody Drobot, Charleston Cornish and Muzi Maluleke.His final social media message after that competition has now taken on a different meaning for many fans. Five days before his death, Quamina wrote: “‘If it was easy, everybody would do it. The best quality you can have is the ability to pick yourself up and go again no matter how many times it take. Watch what comes next!”Weeks earlier, he had also written: “Stop taking life for granted go all the way and have zero regrets when it’s all over!”Quamina began bodybuilding in 2016 after spending 10 years in the US Navy. He later built a career in the IFBB Pro League and became known for competing in the 212 division. His biggest Mr. Olympia result came in 2018, when he finished 10th.He also worked as an online coach and regularly shared workout videos and motivational posts with his more than 114,000 Instagram followers. His return to competition had brought another strong result in 2026, with a third-place finish at the Chicago Pro before his sixth-place finish in Atlanta.
Tributes pour in for Dwayne Quamina and his family
The bodybuilding community has reacted with shock to Quamina’s death. Fellow competitor Karol Malecki Ale Lekkie said: “It’s absolutely tragic. We competed together just a week ago at the Atlanta Pro. It’s hard to believe he’s gone.”Eight-time Ms. Olympia winner Lenda Murray also paid tribute, writing: “My thoughts and prayers are for the family. Sincere condolences.”A GoFundMe page created for Quamina’s family described him as “a devoted father, a loving husband, a loyal friend, a proud veteran, and a fitness champion who inspired those around him through his strength, dedication, and determination.”It also said: “Dwayne was a loving yet fierce man, someone who protected and provided for his family while uplifting others with his presence, kindness, and unwavering spirit.”Quamina is survived by his wife, Leah, and their two children. His family has not publicly shared a cause of death.
