A popular female body builder has passed away at the age of just 36 due to complications caused by pneumonia.
Brazilian Cintia Goldani, from Rio Grande do Sul, reportedly died suddenly just days before she was set to take part in a top-level competition.
Her tragic passing, which comes after she contracted the lung infection, was announced by Muscle Contest International on Wednesday.
She was 36 years old, the New York Post reports.
“With great pain and sadness, I hereby inform you the passing of Professional Figure Athlete @cintiagoldanipro due to complications from pneumonia,” the account wrote in a statement posted to Instagram.
“Cynthia was an angel in human form. God needed backup in heaven.”
Local media reports said the athlete was rushed to hospital but passed away after developing a bloody clot, according to The Sun.
A pulmonary embolism can be caused by weightlifting and heavy exercise, but in Ms Goldani’s case, it was said to have been caused by a recent bout of pneumonia.
Ms Goldani, a presenter of the “Figure” category of the Muscle Contest female bodybuilding competition, was set to compete on July 20-21 in Curitiba, Brazil.
She placed 10th in the “Figure” category of the Brazilian competition last year, according to BarBend.
She had also advertised for an “amateur bodybuilding event” in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil on October 12.
Ms Goldani’s partner, Gustavo Cesar GC, posted a tribute to his own Instagram account.
“This is the last photo I have of you in my phone, and this is how I want to remember you forever!” the fellow Brazilian bodybuilder wrote, according to the Daily Mail.
“Happy smiling and with that wonderful energy, you were the best human being I have ever met in the world!
“I wish I could thank you for everything you’ve done for me, but I will thank you every day when I see the sunset … Thank you Cíntia, you are made of pure true love and God wanted you closer to him and away from this evil of the world. I wanted to be there with you being happy as we always were.”
This article originally appeared on The New York Post and was reproduced with permission