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

Cíntia Goldani, from Rio Grande do Sul, died on Wednesday from a pulmonary embolism, according to the organisers of the Musclecontest Brasil event in July.

'With great pain and sadness, we hereby inform you of the death of Professional Figure Athlete Cíntia Goldani due to complications from pneumonia,' Musclecontest International said in a statement.

'Cíntiawas an angel in human form. God needed reinforcement in heaven. She will never be forgotten by the MuscleContest family.' 

Having only gone professional in 2021 and reached national levels a year later, Cíntia was due to attend one of the biggest competitions in the country next month. 

A pulmonary embolism can be caused by weightlifting and heavy exercise, but organisers said that in Cintia's case, it was caused by a recent bout of pneumonia.

Local media reports said she was rushed to hospital but passed away.

Gustavo Cesar, her partner and fellow bodybuilder, shared a photo of Cintia stood 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!

'Happy smiling and with that wonderful energy, 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 will thank you every day when I see the sunset...' 

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

'I wanted to be there with you being happy as we always were,' he continued. 

Cintia regularly shared motivational posts and reels with her 21,000 followers on Instagram. 

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

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

Writing on Instagram, Professor David Stewart, a fellow bodybuilder, wrote: 'It's more than 20 yrs of friendship.. unbelievable.

'May God receive you in the best form [...] just like you'd like to be welcomed on stages.. Where you shone and the whole world outside..'

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

Sil Gonzales wrote: 'I'm here in disbelief, you were a cheerful, determined person, had no bad weather. I'll never forget how we met. 

'Life is short and in the blink of an eye, it all ends. May you find the peace you so deserve. I am sure it will be the brightest star.' 

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

Cintia was due to take part in the Figure category of the contest in Curitiba on July 20 before her untimely death.

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