Amateur Bodybuilder Dies After Collapsing On Stage at Competition
Mateusz Chmura, 33, collapsed during the PCA British Finals and later died in hospital.
An amateur bodybuilder has died after collapsing on stage during a competition in front of a shocked audience.
Mateusz Chmura, 33, from Wakefield, collapsed on Sunday while competing at the PCA British Finals held at the Telford International Centre in Shropshire. Organizers confirmed the incident.
Chmura was participating in the Classic Bodybuilding Medium division. This competition followed his first-ever event two weeks prior, where he placed second.
Paramedics and the Midlands Air Ambulance were dispatched to the scene and provided treatment. Chmura was then transported to a hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased.
Chmura had recently married his wife, Patrycja, in August. His wife described his death as "incredibly painful."
The PCA stated that the British Finals were paused during the medical treatment. Following Chmura's departure from the venue, a meeting was held with other athletes, and a decision was made to continue the competition.
In a statement, the organization extended its "deepest condolences to his wife, family, friends and everyone who knew and loved him." They also expressed gratitude to the on-site medics, medical professionals from the audience, Midlands Air Ambulance, and hospital staff for their efforts. The PCA acknowledged the support shown by venue staff, volunteers, and competitors to one another and requested privacy for Chmura's loved ones.
Patrycja, Chmura's wife, issued a warning via his Instagram account regarding an unauthorized online fundraiser claiming to collect money for the family. She stated that she had no connection to the fundraiser and had not authorized anyone to solicit donations on their behalf. She thanked well-wishers for their kindness and messages of condolence, noting she lacked the strength to say more at this difficult time.
The couple had married two months prior, and Chmura had trained with his wife less than 48 hours before his collapse.
The cause of his death has not been publicly confirmed.
Tributes have poured in from the bodybuilding community and friends, remembering Chmura as a "great athlete and gentleman."
Chmura's death occurred less than a week after the passing of professional bodybuilder Marianne von Gierke, 40, who died on October 14. Von Gierke had competed in the Ms. Olympia competition two weeks prior, finishing 13th. Her cause of death has also not been announced.
