Former Mr. Olympia competitor Dwayne Quamina has died at the age of 40<\/b>, just weeks after sharing a message urging his followers to stop taking life for granted.<\/p>\n
Quamina, better known as \u201cKing Q\u201d, died suddenly on Sunday, August 16, according to reports and a social media announcement from his wife, Leah Jerez. His cause of death has not been disclosed<\/b>.<\/p>\n
The Trinidad and Tobago-born bodybuilder had competed professionally in the 212 division and had most recently taken part in the Lenda Murray Atlanta Pro in Georgia on August 9, finishing sixth<\/b>. The event would prove to be his final bodybuilding competition. <\/p>\n
His death has prompted an outpouring of tributes from the bodybuilding community, while an earlier motivational post <\/b>has taken on a particularly poignant meaning following his sudden passing.<\/p>\nDwayne Quamina\u2019s eerie final message to fans<\/b><\/h2>\n
On July 28, less than three weeks before his death<\/b>, Quamina posted a message on Instagram encouraging his more than 100,000 followers to make the most of their lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop taking life for granted go all the way and have zero regrets when it\u2019s all over!!\u201d <\/b>he wrote.<\/p>\n
Quamina followed that message with further motivational posts<\/b>, including one in which he encouraged his audience to \u201cstop negotiating with your potential\u201d. The posts were consistent with the content Quamina regularly shared as an online coach and fitness personality. However, following his death, the July 28 message has taken on a more haunting significance for those who followed him.<\/p>\nDwayne Quamina\u2019s bodybuilding career<\/b><\/h2>\n
Quamina built his career in the IFBB Pro League\u2019s 212 division<\/b>, which is limited to competitors weighing no more than 212 pounds. Before becoming a professional, he won the 2016 NPC USA Championships, earning his professional status. He then won the 2017 Europa Phoenix Pro in the 212 division, defeating Shaun Clarida and a field of other established competitors.<\/p>\n
His biggest international achievement came at the 2018 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas<\/b>. Quamina finished 10th<\/b> in the 212 division, behind eventual champion Flex Lewis and several other future stars of the category.<\/p>\n
He later stepped away from competitive bodybuilding before returning to the professional stage in 2025<\/b>. His comeback immediately produced another strong result. Quamina finished third in the 212 division at the 2025 Chicago Pro, behind Frankie Mercado and Bo Lewis. He also competed at the Lenda Murray Atlanta Pro in 2025, before returning to the event again this year. His sixth-place finish in Atlanta on August 9, 2026, was his final competitive appearance.<\/p>\nQuamina was also a U.S. Navy veteran<\/b><\/h2>\n
Quamina\u2019s life extended well beyond bodybuilding. He served in the U.S. Navy for more than a decade <\/b>before turning his attention to the fitness industry. Speaking at a bench press event in California last year, Quamina reflected on the sense of community he experienced during his military service.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a veteran, when I got out, the sense of brotherhood is often missed<\/b>,\u201d he said, according to the New York Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n After leaving the Navy, he developed a career as a bodybuilder, coach, and fitness personality, building a substantial social media following along the way. He is survived by his wife, Leah, and their children.<\/b><\/p>\n News of Quamina\u2019s death has stunned fellow competitors, particularly because he had been competing just days earlier<\/b>. Bodybuilder Karol Ma\u0142ecki, who competed at the Atlanta Pro alongside Quamina, described the circumstances as difficult to comprehend.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s absolutely tragic. We competed together just a week ago at the Atlanta Pro. It\u2019s hard to believe he\u2019s gone,\u201d <\/b>Ma\u0142ecki said.<\/p>\n Former 212 champion Shaun<\/b> Clarida<\/b> also paid tribute to Quamina, remembering the memories they shared both on and off the bodybuilding stage. Quamina\u2019s sudden death has left the bodybuilding community mourning a competitor whose career included a Mr. Olympia appearance, a professional title and a successful comeback to the sport. For many of his followers, however, it is his message from July 28 that will now be remembered most.<\/p>\n \u201cStop taking life for granted\u201d <\/b>has become an especially poignant message following the unexpected death of the 40-year-old bodybuilder.<\/p>\n Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. <\/i>Download now for all-access coverage<\/i><\/a>, right at your fingertips \u2013 anytime, anywhere.<\/i><\/p>\n And there\u2019s more: check out our <\/i>TikTok<\/i><\/a> and <\/i>Instagram reels<\/i><\/a> for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.<\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\nBodybuilding community pays tribute to Dwayne Quamina<\/b><\/h2>\n
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