Star bodybuilder Gustavo Badell dead at 50

Star bodybuilder Gustavo Badell, known as ‘The Freakin’ Rican,’ dead at 50

Star bodybuilder Gustavo Badell, commonly known as “The Freakin’ Rican,” died, his friend announced on Thursday.

Badell was 50.

The details of Badell’s death are not yet known.

“I woke up this morning to information that Gustavo has passed away,” Eddie Abbew, Badell’s friend and co-competitor, released in a statement. “My heart goes out to his family and friends.

“Gustavo was ten years younger than me. It is always sad when a young person is taken away long before their time. Rest in peace Gustavo and know that you will be missed.”

Badell competed against some of the top bodybuilders of all time, and notably twice — in 2004 and 2005 — finished in third place in the Mr. Olympia competition.

Born in Venezuela, Badell launched his bodybuilding career at 19 and moved to Puerto Rico in his early 20s, according to The Daily Mail.

In addition to the Mr. Olympia competition, Badell also competed in the prestigious Arnold Classic, World Pro Championships, Ironman Pro and the Atlantic City Pro.

He retired in 2012, and had since been active online promoting personal fitness.

MuscleTech, a supplement company Badell had worked with, expressed its condolences.

“Everyone at Team MuscleTech would like to send their condolences to the Badell family and Gustavo Badell fans across the globe,” the company tweeted on Thursday. “Team MuscleTech proudly worked with Gustavo for many years and it was an honor to be represented by a man who was a consummate professional and one of the hardest working bodybuilders of his generation. Today we remember the lives Gustavo touched and the legacy he left.”

Badell was the company’s 2009 magazine cover model.