Mr Olympia 'King Q' cause of death: Dwayne Quamina dies suddenly at 40

Less than two weeks separated Dwayne Quamina ’s final bodybuilding appearance from the news that left friends, rivals and fans struggling to comprehend his death.

The 40-year-old Navy veteran, known throughout the sport as “ King Q ,” died suddenly on Sunday after placing sixth in the 212 division at the Atlanta Pro on August 9. No cause of death has been disclosed.

What has made the news especially poignant are the motivational messages Quamina continued sharing almost until the end.

“Stop taking life for granted go all the way and have zero regrets when it’s all over!!” he wrote on Instagram on July 28.

Days before his death, his message was again centered on perseverance.

“If it was easy, everybody would do it,” Quamina wrote. “The best quality you can have is the ability to pick yourself up and go again no matter how many times it take. Watch what comes next!”

Those words now carry a very different weight for the more than 100,000 people who followed his bodybuilding career and online coaching work.

From Navy to the Mr. Olympia stage

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Quamina later moved to the United States and settled in California. Before bodybuilding became his profession, he spent more than a decade serving in the Navy.

He once described how much that military community meant to him.

“As a veteran, when I got out, the sense of brotherhood is often missed,” Quamina said at a bench press event in El Centro.

Bodybuilding eventually gave him another competitive home. He won the lightweight title at the 2016 NPC USA Championships and followed that by winning the 2017 Europa Phoenix Pro.

His biggest appearance came at the 2018 Mr. Olympia, where he finished 10th in the 212 division.

After stepping away from competition in 2020, Quamina returned in 2025 and placed third at the Chicago Pro before continuing his comeback into 2026. Atlanta became his final contest.

Bodybuilding community rallies around Quamina’s family

The sudden loss has prompted tributes from athletes who had seen Quamina only days earlier.

“No, man, I was just with him last week,” James Hollingshead wrote. Eight-time Ms. Olympia champion Lenda Murray added: “My thoughts and prayers are for the family. Sincere condolences.”

Karol Malecki Ale Lekkie was equally stunned: “It’s absolutely tragic,” he said. “We competed together just a week ago at the Atlanta Pro. It’s hard to believe he’s gone.”

A fundraiser has since been established to support Quamina’s wife, Leah, and their children.

Organizer Keri Valdez described him as “a devoted father, a loving husband, a loyal friend, a proud veteran, and a fitness champion who inspired those around him through his strength, dedication, and determination.”

Only days before his death, Quamina was still speaking about what came next. Now, the messages he left behind have become part of how those closest to bodybuilding are remembering him.