Mailson Araujo, a prominent figure in Brazilian bodybuilding, died at the age of 35, his representatives confirmed on Friday. The athlete suffered a medical emergency at his home in Alagoinhas, Brazil, just days before he was scheduled to compete in a championship event in Curitiba.
Araujo's mother, a nursing technician, attempted resuscitation efforts at the scene. Emergency services were called, but he was pronounced dead at his home. The specific cause of his death has not yet been released.
Hours before his collapse, Araujo had shared shirtless images with his 30,000 social media followers, documenting his preparation for the upcoming competition. In the post, he wrote, "In the process, enjoying every day."
Araujo had been a professional athlete for three years, earning his professional status in 2023 after winning the Arnold Classic South America title in Sao Paulo. He achieved several top-four finishes in competitions, including a third-place finish at the 2023 Muscleman event.
Fellow bodybuilders and figures within the sport have offered tributes, with Maiki Ono stating Araujo would be "greatly missed" and Lucas Moraes calling him a "giant."
Last month, Araujo posted a public tribute to his girlfriend on Instagram, expressing his gratitude for their relationship.