Opinion | How late bodybuilding star Rich Piana paid the ultimate price in pursuit of ‘perfection’
The bodybuilding world loses two huge stars recently as the dangers of steroid abuse rears its ugly head again
How far would you be willing to go to “perfect” your physique? To push it past what’s generally accepted to one that’s anatomically freakish?
Rich Piana tried to reach the limits of physical “perfection”, transforming himself from an average bodybuilder to one whose monstrous proportions were attained by few. “Massive” doesn’t suffice to describe him at 185cm tall and 140kg (309 pounds). Unfortunately, he didn’t live very long to admire himself in the mirror.
Last month, Piana died in Florida after suffering a heart attack at home. His girlfriend was giving him a haircut at the time. Piana fell over bumping his head “but he was gone before he hit the ground” according to the girlfriend.
Watch: In memory of Rich Piana. Warning: Coarse language
Piana spent the next two weeks in a medically induced coma in hospital before he died. He was 45.
