Former 2018 Mr. Olympia IFBB Pro Shawn “Flexatron” Rhoden Has Passed Away At 46 Years Old Due To Heart Attack

On Nov. 6, 2021, Ron Harris of Muscular Development posted a video to its YouTube channel announcing the death of 2018 Mr. Olympia winner Shawn Rhoden. Rhoden was 46 years old. No cause of death has yet been announced and details are minimal at the time of this article’s publication. Shawn Rhoden is the fourth Mr. Olympia winner to pass away.

Shawn Rhoden (April 2, 1975 – November 6, 2021) was a Jamaican American IFBB professional bodybuilder and former Mr. Olympia. He won the 2018 Mr. Olympia contest by defeating seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath. He was the oldest bodybuilder to win the Mr. Olympia title, at the age of 43 years and five months.

On July 12, 2019, a TMZ story said that he was accused of a rape in October 2018. The article also revealed that an arrest warrant was issued and bail was set for $750,000.[2] Shortly after the story surfaced, he was banned from competing at the 2019 Mr. Olympia and future Mr. Olympia competitions.[3]

Rhoden is the fourth winner of Mr. Olympia to pass away. Sergio Oliva Sr. died in 2012, Larry Scott passed away in 2014, and Franco Columbu died in 2019. Rhoden’s death is the latest in a long string of notable competitors to have passed away in 2021. It comes less than one month after the passing of 212 bodybuilder George Peterson III, who died during the week of the 2021 Olympia in Orlando, FL.

[Related: 2021 Prague Pro Bodybuilding Show — Full Rosters and Men’s Open Athletes to Watch]

Shawn Rhoden

According to Muscle Memory, Rhoden began competing in 1999 as an amateur. He won his pro card in 2009 at the IFBB North American event as a heavyweight. His pro debut was at the 2010 Europa Pro where he placed 16th. He made his debut on the Olympia stage in 2011, where he placed 11th. His first pro win came at the 2012 Tampa Pro, which allowed him to compete in his first Olympia that year. He jumped eight placings to finish in third place at that contest.

Throughout his career, he won seven professional contests. None was bigger than his 2018 Mr. Olympia effort which saw him defeat Phil Heath, who was attempting to tie the record for most Mr. Olympia titles (eight) with Lee Haney and Ronnie Coleman. Heath placed second in that contest. At the time of Rhoden’s victory, he was the oldest champion in the history of the contest, winning the title at the age of 43. He was two months older than the previous record-holder, 1982 winner Chris Dickerson.

[Related: Regan Grimes Wins 2021 KO Bodybuilding Pro, Qualifies for 2022 Olympia]

Rhoden hadn’t competed since his 2018 Olympia victory over then-champion Heath due to facing charges of sexual assault. Those charges were still pending and a court date had yet to be set due to issues regarding the pandemic.

In recent years, Rhoden lived in Las Vegas, NV, where he helped grow Muscle Beach Nutrition, a supplement company with which he was heavily involved. He also served as a mentor and coach to many competitors throughout the IFBB Pro League. Rhoden is survived by one daughter.

Shawn Rhoden Bodybuilding History

  • 2018 Mr. Olympia – 1st
  • 2017 Mr. Olympia – 5th
  • 2016 Mr. Olympia – 2nd
  • 2016 Kuwait Pro Men’s Bodybuilding – 3rd place
  • 2015 EVL’s Prague Pro – 3rd
  • 2015 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
  • 2014 IFBB San Marino Pro – 1st
  • 2014 EVL’s Prague Pro – 3rd
  • 2014 Dubai Pro – 2nd
  • 2014 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 2nd
  • 2014 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
  • 2014 IFBB Australian Pro – 1st
  • 2014 IFBB Arnold Classic – 2nd
  • 2013 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 4th
  • 2013 Mr. Olympia – 4th
  • 2012 IFBB EVL’s Prague Pro – 2nd
  • 2012 IFBB British Grand Prix – 1st
  • 2012 IFBB Arnold Classic Europe – 1st
  • 2012 Mr. Olympia – 3rd
  • 2012 IFBB Dallas Europa Supershow – 1st
  • 2012 IFBB PBW Tampa Pro – 1st
  • 2012 NPC Dexter Jackson Classic – NP
  • 2012 IFBB Arnold Classic – 8th
  • 2012 IFBB FLEX Pro – 4th
  • 2011 Mr. Olympia – 11th
  • 2011 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show – 3rd
  • 2010 IFBB Dallas Europa Super Show – 6th

This is still a developing story. IFBNewsfeed.Org will continue to update as more information becomes available to the Public. The entire IFBNewsfeed.Org staff sends condolences to friends and family of Shawn Rhoden during this tragic time.

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