{"id":10685,"date":"2026-01-16T21:53:42","date_gmt":"2026-01-16T21:53:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=10685"},"modified":"2026-01-16T21:53:42","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T21:53:42","slug":"inside-insane-world-of-extreme-bodybuilders-28in-biceps-amputations-and-exploding-arms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=10685","title":{"rendered":"Inside insane world of extreme bodybuilders \u2013\u00a028in biceps, amputations and exploding arms"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_a3144a\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">Arlindo de Souza has sadly died at the age of just 55 and the real-life Popeye was famed for once injecting his muscles with synthol which can have tragic circumstances<\/h2>\n<p><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36557608\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Arlindo de Souza was 55 and he famously boosted his biceps with chemicals \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Arlindo de Souza was 55 and he famously boosted his biceps with chemicals <cite aria-label=\"Image: Jam Press\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Jam Press)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A Brazilian <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/latest\/body-building\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\">bodybuilder<\/a> known as the<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/news\/weird-news\/real-life-popeye-who-boasted-36553275\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\"> real-life Popeye tragically lost his life <\/a>this week at the age of 55.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The family of Arlindo de Souza believe he died from multiple organ failure and he was famed for his 29-inch biceps.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, it was widely reported that he achieved his monster muscles by taking synthol, a dangerous cocktail of mineral oil and alcohol. It doesn\u2019t actually make your muscles strong, despite them bulging in size, and the consequences can be catastrophic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Arlindo discovered this first hand when his friend, Pulinho, died after injecting himself with synthol. And speaking about the tragedy, he once said: \u201c[Paulinho] took it, I took it, but he went beyond the limit. I advise everyone to never take this oil. I felt his death a lot.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cI\u2019ve stopped taking it, and other things as well. There is always a desire to start again, but I\u2019m managing to control myself.\u201d<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36557618\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36557618\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.38\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557618.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Bodybuilder-dubbed-Popeye-dies-aged-55.jpg\" alt=\"Arlindo de Souza\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557618.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Bodybuilder-dubbed-Popeye-dies-aged-55.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557618.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Bodybuilder-dubbed-Popeye-dies-aged-55.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557618.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Bodybuilder-dubbed-Popeye-dies-aged-55.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"He tragically died this week \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">He tragically died this week <cite aria-label=\"Image: Jam Press\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Jam Press)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Below, we hear from other bodybuilders who are also believed to have injected themselves with synthol, before facing grim consequences.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_a3144a\">Kirill Tereshin<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Kirill Tereshin is known as the Russian Popeye but he also <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/breaking-russian-popeye-who-injected-36293598\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\">likes to call himself \u2018Bazooka Arms\u2019<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">However, in November, it was reported that he could need a double amputation after spending years putting synthol into both of his arms.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36557622\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36557622\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557622.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Notorious-Russian-Popeye-with-freak-arms-flees-Putins-regime-to-start-new-life-in-Bali.jpg\" alt=\"Kirill Tereshin\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557622.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Notorious-Russian-Popeye-with-freak-arms-flees-Putins-regime-to-start-new-life-in-Bali.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557622.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Notorious-Russian-Popeye-with-freak-arms-flees-Putins-regime-to-start-new-life-in-Bali.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557622.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Notorious-Russian-Popeye-with-freak-arms-flees-Putins-regime-to-start-new-life-in-Bali.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Kirill Tereshin is a social media influencer\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Kirill Tereshin is a social media influencer<cite aria-label=\"Image: Instagram\/kirilltereshin96\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Instagram\/kirilltereshin96)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He has 262,000 followers on Instagram and in recent months he has had one arm wrapped in a bandage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">According to reports, the influencer, bodybuilder and MMA fighter was told he needed skin grafts to save the arm, but the operations were not possible because of his \u201cextremely poor test results\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Russian was reportedly told his arm will need to stabilise before he undergoes multiple surgeries to save it because of the self-inflicted damage.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36557626\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36557626\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557626.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Russian-bodybuilding-Popeye-who-injected-oil-into-biceps-to-create-muscles-calls-himself-Mr-Olymp.jpg\" alt=\"Kirill Tereshin\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557626.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Russian-bodybuilding-Popeye-who-injected-oil-into-biceps-to-create-muscles-calls-himself-Mr-Olymp.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557626.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Russian-bodybuilding-Popeye-who-injected-oil-into-biceps-to-create-muscles-calls-himself-Mr-Olymp.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36557626.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Russian-bodybuilding-Popeye-who-injected-oil-into-biceps-to-create-muscles-calls-himself-Mr-Olymp.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"He has been injecting synthol into his arms for years \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">He has been injecting synthol into his arms for years <cite aria-label=\"Image: Tiktok\/officialbazookahands\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Tiktok\/officialbazookahands)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">His mother, Irina, once spoke out against her son\u2019s transformation and called him an \u201conline guinea pig\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But it is not the first time Kirill has been warned about amputation and in 2018, doctor Evgeny Lilin said: \u201cNot immediately, but he very likely faces amputation in the future. One day, abscesses will develop, then inflammation, and he (will be at risk of) a stroke.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_a3144a\">Gregg Valentino<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gregg Valentino started lifting weights at the age of just 13 but his bicep later famously exploded while taking steroids.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He used synthol to push his muscles upwards and to make them look gigantic and he reportedly injected 3000mg of it a week.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36558225\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36558225\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.18\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36558225.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Tragic-bodybuilders-who-took-grim-injections-and-faced-bicep-explosions-and-amputations.jpg\" alt=\"Gregg Valentino \" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36558225.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Tragic-bodybuilders-who-took-grim-injections-and-faced-bicep-explosions-and-amputations.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36558225.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Tragic-bodybuilders-who-took-grim-injections-and-faced-bicep-explosions-and-amputations.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36558225.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Tragic-bodybuilders-who-took-grim-injections-and-faced-bicep-explosions-and-amputations.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Gregg showing off his monster muscles \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Gregg showing off his monster muscles <cite aria-label=\"Image: Gregg Valentino\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Gregg Valentino)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">This helped him go from having 21 inch biceps to 28 inch biceps but disaster struck when he reused a needle and punctured an abscess by accident.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">His arm exploded with pus after an infection was caused and blood flowed from his arm as he was taken to hospital. There, the bicep was cut open so the synthol could be drained.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36558226\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36558226\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.15\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36558226.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Tragic-bodybuilders-who-took-grim-injections-and-faced-bicep-explosions-and-amputations.jpg\" alt=\"Gregg Valentino \" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36558226.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Tragic-bodybuilders-who-took-grim-injections-and-faced-bicep-explosions-and-amputations.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36558226.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Tragic-bodybuilders-who-took-grim-injections-and-faced-bicep-explosions-and-amputations.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article36558226.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Tragic-bodybuilders-who-took-grim-injections-and-faced-bicep-explosions-and-amputations.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"How he looked at his biggest \" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">How he looked at his biggest <cite aria-label=\"Image: Gregg Valentino\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Gregg Valentino)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Gregg now has a much more natural look and the author, who starred in a documentary called The Man Whose Arms Exploded, describes himself as a \u201cbodybuilding icon\u201d on Instagram.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He also once told ESPN people were &#8220;hypocrites&#8221; in relation to their view of performance-enhancers. He said: \u201cThe world would shut down tomorrow if we took away the ultimate performance enhancer: caffeine. If you stopped everybody from drinking their coffee, taking caffeine, I bet you tomorrow half the people wouldn\u2019t be able to function.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs  __className_a3144a\">Valdir Segato<\/h3>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Like Arlindo de Souza, fellow Brazilian bodybuilder Valdir Segato also died at the age of 55, with his passing coming in 2022.<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-8974733\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"8974733\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article8974733.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/Valdir-injects-synthol-into-his-arms.jpg\" alt=\"Valdir injects synthol into his arms\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article8974733.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/Valdir-injects-synthol-into-his-arms.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article8974733.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/Valdir-injects-synthol-into-his-arms.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article8974733.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/Valdir-injects-synthol-into-his-arms.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Valdir injects synthol into his arms\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Valdir injects synthol into his arms<cite aria-label=\"Image: Barcroft\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Barcroft)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It was reported that he died of a heart attack and he previously admitted to using synthol injections for his extreme aesthetic.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">His neighbour in Sao Paolo, Jadson, said after his death: \u201cYou can&#8217;t help but be shaken. He was a very isolated person, more in his own way, a super good person, he didn&#8217;t hurt anyone.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cThe only harm he did was to himself, using those things on his body, applying that oil, synthol, in the body, which ended up harming.\u201d<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-8974727\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"8974727\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article8974727.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/Valdir-flexed-his-huge-biceps.jpg\" alt=\"Valdir flexed his huge biceps\" loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article8974727.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/Valdir-flexed-his-huge-biceps.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article8974727.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/Valdir-flexed-his-huge-biceps.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.dailystar.co.uk\/article8974727.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/Valdir-flexed-his-huge-biceps.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Valdir Segato flexes his huge biceps after growing them to 23 inches with oil injections\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Valdir Segato flexes his huge biceps after growing them to 23 inches with oil injections<cite aria-label=\"Image: Barcroft\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: Barcroft)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Before his tragic death, Valdir built up a huge social media following and had 1.7m followers on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailystar.co.uk\/latest\/tiktok\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\">TikTok<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">And speaking in 2016 about his synthol use, he said: \u201cThey call me Hulk, Schwarzenegger and He-Man all the time and I like that. I&#8217;ve doubled my biceps but I still want to be bigger.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">He added: \u201cThe doctors tell me to stop it, the advice they give me is to stop using. But it&#8217;s my decision to use it because I want to, because I like to.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arlindo de Souza has sadly died at the age of just 55 and the real-life Popeye was famed for once injecting his muscles with synthol which can have tragic circumstances Arlindo de Souza was 55 and he famously boosted his biceps with chemicals (Image: Jam Press) A Brazilian bodybuilder known as the real-life Popeye tragically [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":471,"featured_media":10686,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Inside insane world of extreme bodybuilders \u2013\u00a028in biceps, amputations and exploding arms - 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