Bi Jiaqi, 26, a popular Chinese body-building influencer, died in his sleep on January 30, hours after speaking with friends and posting about an upcoming competition. His body will undergo an autopsy to establish the cause of death, which has not been released.
Circumstances of his death
According to friends, Jiaqi had been online discussing plans for his next bodybuilding competition the night before he was found. Those close to him said he had not seemed right in the days leading up to his death.
Earlier this month Jiaqi posted a selfie in which he joked that his “head was swollen like a steamed bun.” Friends later noted images in which his lips appeared purple and his eyes looked tired; they also reported seeing abnormally bulging blood vessels in his neck. The group had attributed some symptoms to training fatigue and common pre-competition practices such as dehydration and extreme weight reduction.
Health context and expert comment
The article includes comment from Zhang Yu, a cardiologist at Fuwai Hospital in Shenzhen, who warned that dehydration and extreme fat-reduction methods used by some bodybuilders before competitions can make the blood thicker and increase the risk of thrombosis. He said: “Exercise is a double-edged sword – both inactivity and excessive exercise are bad for the heart.” Zhang added that long-term overload training may lead to myocardial changes that could increase the risk of sudden death.
Career, personal life and public reaction
Jiaqi was known as a Chinese fitness creator for his gruelling workouts and muscled physique. From Ningbo in China, he had recently purchased a new house and had promised to host a dinner party for friends when it was renovated; friends said he died before the renovation was completed.
News of his death prompted shock among his followers on Weibo, with many expressing disbelief and saying they had thought he was “invincible.” Local reports say Jiaqi’s body will undergo an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.
Image Referance: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/38069321/bodybuilder-influencer-dies-head-swells-steamed-bun/