“Tore My Right Bicep”: Bodybuilding Star Screamed in Agony as a Deadly Move Went Horribly Wrong Earlier This Year

The sport of bodybuilding can be grueling sometimes. In the year 2020, an aspiring young bodybuilder from the far south-eastern waters was battling for his life after a gym accident. Gabriel McKenna Lieschke, 29 years old at the time, was in agonizing pain when his right arm had to be amputated after he snapped a tendon and developed a bacterial infection.

After 11 surgeries in a span of 10 crucial days, the athlete regained consciousness from his induced coma. The doctors who saved the young bodybuilder’s life were left with no choice but to cut his arm off to stop the infection from spreading to his shoulder and chest.

Australian bodybuilding enthusiast forced to lose his arm

While lifting 50 kg during a gym session in November 2020, Gabriel tore his biceps. He screamed in agony when he felt the tendon connecting his muscle to his elbow tear. In the following three days, the infection rapidly spread as his arm swelled and turned red. “The infection was so aggressive that it was eating my flesh,” said Lieschke.

Upon further inspection, the doctors concluded it to be a case of necrotizing fasciitis. It is a type of bacterial infection that attacks surrounding tissue. Lieschke continued, “I was rushed into a coma for 10 days. I was very close to dying.”

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After the successful surgery to reattach his biceps, an amputation, and several skin grafts, the doctors stopped the infection and saved the young civil engineer’s life. “After 3 days of confusion I realised I lost my arm,” added Lieschke.

Gabriel is looking forward to his new life

“They had to amputate my arm below the elbow,” stated Gabriel in a very emotional video that he uploaded post his surgery. Losing a part of yourself is a tough ordeal to come back from. A plethora of bodybuilding icons can empathize with Gabriel, who has also struggled with life at some point. Legendary strength athletes, such as Flex Wheeler, have struggled with cardiovascular health complications. They have become an insignia of hope.

Looking forward to the next phase, the Australian is still adjusting to life without his dominant arm. But he has taken up track cycling in preparation for the Paris, Paralympics in 2024.

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