“People Do NOT Just Drop Dead at 53”: Death of Hall of Fame Powerlifter Sparks Controversy in Lifting Community

Recent news of the sudden demise of 52-year-old British powerlifter Phil Richard has shocked the whole powerlifting community and his home nation, Wales. The powerlifter, who had expressed his desire to bring the 2024 world title to Wales, passed away just two days before his 53rd birthday. Generation Iron confirmed the news of the death.

Paying respects to the deceased athlete, International Powerlifting President Gaston Parage penned a tribute on the IPF’s official Instagram page. “Phil was well-known and well-liked throughout the powerlifting community, and he will be sadly missed,” he wrote. Parage expressed sorrow and added, “On behalf of the IPF Executive Committee, we send our deepest condolences to Phil’s family, to British Powerlifting, to his friends, and to all that knew him. May he rest in peace. Respectfully.”

Having devoted over 40 years of his life to powerlifting, Richard started his journey as a lifter when he was just 13 years old, in 1984. He competed in the open division and took part in almost every event from 1988, solidifying his reputation in the powerlifting world. He won numerous European titles as well, during his four-decade career.

Richard’s milestones don’t end there. A European Hall of Fame placeholder in 2018, he represented Great Britain at the 2005 World Games and was invited to the Arnold UK twice in his fifties. At the 2021 Arnold UK, he set two records of 640.4 lbs in squat and 1,611.6 lbs in Total Equipped U74KG IPF Masters. These remain unbeaten even after three years.  

While most of the fitness world seemed shocked by Richard’s sudden demise, many were concerned about how someone so physically active could pass away at 52. Fans and followers paid their last tributes in the comment section of the Generation Iron’s post wanting to know the reason behind such a sudden demise. Some, however, had a few allegations to make.

The power-lifting community baffled by Richard’s sudden death

An Instagram user alleged that Richard had engaged in ster**d usage and wrote, “This so called sport needs to be regulated, too many low IQ people think they are the best after some r*ids, giving the real people bad name.” Another fan was confused over the cause of death and wrote, “w*f? So young. How come? R*ids? Can’t be.” However, one fan defended the deceased powerlifter against ster**d usage allegations, commenting, “FYI… He wasn’t a roided out freak, he was 5’3” 147lbs. Give it a rest with the comments.”

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A fan expressed his sorrow over the loss and commented, “Man. 52. So young.” Another user was confused about the powerlifter’s death and wrote, “Cause??? S*****d again???” One fan hinted at the fact that Richard must have been suffering from something and wrote, “Can we get some background, people do NOT just drop dead at 53.” In the past few years, many bodybuilders have met early deaths, with many attributing this to ster**id usage. Those that passed away included Jo Linder aka Joesthetics, who died suddenly after an aneurysm, and Rich Piana, who even once got Joe Rogan to say, “He took ungodly amounts of ster**ds.”

While the sudden passing of the 52-year-old powerlifter has sent the whole community into shock, the question regarding the reason behind Richard’s death continues to remain unanswered.  

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