Illia Yefimchyk, a Belarusian bodybuilder famed for his imposing physique and high-calorie intake, died last week at the age of 36. The bodybuilding community revealed his death on Wednesday via Instagram, @whoisthebestbb. According to reports, Yefimchyk, also known as “Golem” or “The Mutant,” had a heart attack at home on September 6th and fell into a coma. His wife, Anna, described the terrifying circumstances of the occurrence, claiming that she attempted chest compressions while waiting for medical personnel to arrive. Despite fleeting hints of recovery, physicians ruled Yefimchyk brain dead.
“His heart started beating again for two days, but the doctor gave me the terrible news that his brain had died,” she told me. Yefimchyk died while still in a coma. Anna acknowledged her gratitude for the assistance she received during this challenging period, saying, “It’s heartwarming to know that I’m not alone in this world.”Yefimchyk, who stood 6 feet tall and weighed over 340 pounds, was well-known in the bodybuilding community for his massive size and stringent discipline. He maintained his incredible physique by a strict diet, ingesting up to 16,500 calories per day divided across seven meals. His diet featured enough steak and sushi, allowing him to retain 25-inch biceps.
Although Yefimchyk did not compete professionally, his fantastic training regimen and strength—which allowed him to perform 600-pound bench presses and 700-pound squats—earned him a sizable online following, with over 100,000 fans across social media platforms. Yefimchyk was inspired by great bodybuilders such as Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone, whose physical feats prompted him to exercise weights.
