Weightlifters who died young

[erpel]

Frank Seipelt, GER
World medalist
48 (1961-2009)
Traffic accident

[Hawkpeter]

Apparently Damian Damianov died.

'One of the best Bulgarian weightlifters from the modern age Damian Damianov died. He was just 39 years old. Damianov was teammate of Milen Dobrev and Velichko Cholakov, who also passed way in the recent years. He was second at WCH 2002 at +105 dision with a total of 450 kg.'

[CNL]

very sad.

Odd coincidence that 3 of the same era of Bulgarian weightlifters all died due to organ failure of some kind.

[dholtsberry]

very sad.

Odd coincidence that 3 of the same era of Bulgarian weightlifters all died due to organ failure of some kind.

I don’t see anything odd or coincidental about this at all.

[psstein]

very sad.

Odd coincidence that 3 of the same era of Bulgarian weightlifters all died due to organ failure of some kind.

Cause of death was apparently pancreatitis and some liver issue. Some Bulgarian WLers were known to be heavy drinkers; steroids and heavy alcohol intake are a bad combination.

[erpel]

Odd coincidence that 3 of the same era of Bulgarian weightlifters all died due to organ failure of some kind.

They're the same generation, born between 1979-1982.

This is a strange development (coincidence?).

It's also personally unsettling since I'm just a few years younger. Steroids and/or alcohol were never part of my life, but the idea that their lifestyle ruined them to the point of death in their mid-30s is insane.

[CNL]

It really is. Mid 30s! And they all 'retired' relatively young as well, they weren't at the top level of competition for more than a few years each.

[Bulldog73]

It really is. Mid 30s! And they all 'retired' relatively young as well, they weren't at the top level of competition for more than a few years each.

I don't know about the rest of them, but 39 is not mid-30's.

[FFF]

Yeah, I don't think "coincidence" is the right word.

[mbasic]

Yuri Vardanyan died on November 1, 2018 at the age of 62

I mean, not young, but 62 isn't old either.
Especially for a National hero.
And considering he lived a good portion of his older years in the US too. (92-09)

R.I.P.