Brazilian bodybuilder Mailson Araujo Santos has died at the age of 35, just hours after sharing photos from what would become his final training session ahead of a major qualifying event for the Mr Olympia competition. Santos collapsed at his home in Alagoinhas, Brazil, on Monday, despite desperate efforts from his family and emergency responders to save him.
Santos had been preparing to compete on Wednesday at Musclecontest Brazil 2026, a major qualifying event offering athletes a route to the prestigious Mr Olympia competition. Only hours before his death, he had posted pictures documenting his final preparations, including a workout session and physiotherapy appointment. He began feeling unwell shortly afterwards while at home, and managed to call his parents for help before his mother started CPR.
Desperate attempts to save him
Firefighters from the station opposite the family home arrived to continue resuscitation efforts as the emergency unfolded. Santos collapsed again on the street near the fire station as he sought further medical assistance, and despite prolonged efforts to revive him, he could not be saved and died at the scene. An official cause of death has not yet been confirmed, with authorities expected to determine the cause following further medical examination.
A rising star in Brazilian bodybuilding
Santos earned his professional card in 2023 after winning the overall amateur division at the Arnold Classic South America competition in São Paulo, going on to secure several podium finishes in professional competitions as he pursued his first professional title. He had built a strong following in Brazil’s bodybuilding community, particularly in his home state of Bahia in the country’s northeast, where he regularly shared updates on his training, diet and competition results with his 32,000 social media followers.
Beyond bodybuilding, Santos was also a talented gospel singer, regularly performing at a local evangelical church in Alagoinhas.
Tributes from the bodybuilding community
News of his death was met with an outpouring of tributes from fans, friends and fellow bodybuilders, many of whom described him as a humble and dedicated athlete who inspired others through both his training and his faith. One follower wrote: “You will be greatly missed! Because good people like you will be sorely missed in this world! Rest in peace, brother! May God comfort your family!” Another wrote: “Go with God, my brother. I still can’t believe it. We talked so much on Saturday, you were happy and confident for the next championship. Rest in peace.”
Santos’s funeral was held at Lar São Francisco in Alagoinhas, where family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes, before he was laid to rest at Jardim Paraíso da Saudade Cemetery.
