Top female bodybuilding champion, 36, dies days before top-level competition after suffering a blood clot in Brazil as tributes are paid to ‘angel in human form’

A top female bodybuilding champion has tragically died aged just 36, days before she was due to compete in a top-level competition after suffering a blood clot in Brazil.

Cíntia Goldani, from Rio Grande do Sul, died Wednesday of a pulmonary embolism, organizers of the Musclecontest Brasil event in July said.

“It is with great pain and sadness that we hereby inform you of the death of professional artistic athlete Cíntia Goldani due to complications from pneumonia,” Musclecontest International said in a statement.

‘Cíntia was an angel in human form. God needed reinforcement in heaven. She will never be forgotten by the MuscleContest family.”

Cíntia had only turned professional in 2021 and reached national level a year later. Next month, Cíntia would attend one of the country’s biggest competitions.

The bodybuilder from Rio Grande do Sul died on Wednesday after a blood clot

Cintia’s fans left touching tributes on her Instagram page, where she shared motivational content

A pulmonary embolism can be caused by weightlifting and strenuous exercise, but organizers said in Cintia’s case it was caused by a recent bout of pneumonia.

According to local media reports, she was rushed to hospital but died.

Gustavo Cesar, her partner and fellow bodybuilder, shared a photo of Cintia standing in front of a promotional poster for Inside Out 2 and wrote: ‘This is the last photo I have of you in my phone, and this is how I want to remember you forever !

‘Smiling happily and with that amazing energy, you were the best person I have ever met in the world!

“I wish I could thank you for everything you’ve done for me, but I’ll thank you every day when I see the sunset…”

“Thank you Cíntia, you are made of pure true love and God wanted you to come closer to him and away from this evil of the world.

“I wanted to be there and make you happy like we always were,” he continued.

Cintia regularly shared motivational messages and videos with her 21,000 followers on Instagram.

Her last Instagram post on Monday, June 17 read: “We are what we do repeatedly. Excellence is therefore not an act, but a habit.’

Fans left touching tributes under her posts following reports of her passing.

Professor David Stewart, a fellow bodybuilder, wrote on Instagram: ‘It’s over twenty years of friendship… incredible.

‘May God receive you in the best shape […] just as you like to be welcomed on stages… Where you shined and the whole world beyond…’

Andrew Felipe wrote under her most recent post: “Rest in peace… You will always be an inspiration.”

Cintia was scheduled to participate in the national competition on July 20

Cintia’s partner posted a touching tribute, writing: ‘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’ll thank you every day when I see the sunset

Cintia pictured with her partner, Gustavo Cesar, undated

Fans called the bodybuilder an ‘inspiration’ following news of her death

Sil Gonzales wrote: ‘I am here in disbelief, you were a cheerful, determined person, did not have bad weather. I’ll never forget how we met.

‘Life is short and in the blink of an eye it’s all over. May you find the peace you so deserve. I’m sure this will be the brightest star.’

Another user said: ‘My condolences to the family, she was an enlightened person and inspired many people.’

Cintia was scheduled to compete in the Figures category of the Curitiba competition on July 20 before her untimely death.

She also worked as a posing coach and consultant, helping others break into the sport.