Bodybuilder dies at the age of 31 just weeks after serious surgery

German bodybuilder Kevin Gebhardt has died just weeks after undergoing serious knee surgery at the age of 31. 

The professional bodybuilder was last heard from on social media on April 26 when he revealed he was recovering from a procedure to repair a torn tendon in his knee.  

He posted an Instagram photo with the caption: 'Time heals all the breaks!'

Gebhardt was reportedly found dead in his apartment in Germany. No cause of death was given. 

Prolific bodybuilding coach and close friend Milos Sarcev appeared to confirm the news of Gebhardt's passing as he paid tribute on social media. 

German bodybuilder Kevin Gebhardt (right) has died just weeks after undergoing surgery

Last month, he revealed he was recovering from a procedure to repair a torn tendon in his knee

'We have lost another brother of iron. I knew Kevin since his amateur days in 2018…,' he posted. 

'[Gebhardt] was a super sweet person, super passionate about bodybuilding, and very hard worker. I am devastated with the news and very sad for his girlfriend and his family. May he rest in peace.'

Sarcev added that the last time he had heard from Gebhardt was last year when the German had been planning to compete in Alicante and Portugal shows but ultimately decided against it. 

Fellow bodybuilder Regan Grimes also shared his condolences, simply writing, 'RIP Kevin.'

Gebhardt's love of bodybuilding reportedly first began at the age of 14 when he started to lift weights.

Gebhardt won the 2018 EVLS Prague Qualifiers in his best ever finish in an event and gained his International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness pro card. 

He went on to finish in the top 10 of various competitions including the 2021 Yamamoto Cup Pro and 2021 Egypt Pro. 

His last competition came the  EVLS Prague Pro. in November 2021, where he placed for 10th. 

He was a beloved figure within the bodybuilding community and had recently begun training younger athletes, being regarded as an up and coming coach. 

Gebhardt's death comes as a huge blow to the bodybuilding community, which has recently lost two other athletes. 

The German athlete won the 2018 EVLS Prague Qualifiers in his best ever finish in an event

Prolific bodybuilding coach and close friend Milos Sarcev paid tribute to Gebhardt 

Less than two weeks ago, Spanish bodybuilder Xisco Serra died aged 50 after surviving cancer and a life-threatening peritonitis.

Last month, Brazilian bodybuilder and fitness influencer Jonas Filho was rushed to hospital with Covid-19. 

He shared photos of himself on a respirator to his Instagram profile shortly after his admission, captioning the post: 'Only God knows the pain and tears of the clown.'

He later died at the age of 29 with it later emerging that he had been diagnosed with pneumonia and then Covid.