[kellyhound]

A bodybuilder who was initially ridiculed after botching an attempted backflip at a competition has reportedly died because of injuries suffered in the stunt.

Sifiso Lungelo Thabete’s attempt to entertain the crowd as he entered the arena went horribly wrong when he didn’t rotate far enough and landed on his head, breaking his neck.

The incident was caught on camera and footage showed several people coming to his aid after the initial shock of what happened left the audience stunned.

Thabete — who hailed from Umlazi in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa — had been playing to the crowd before a contest on the weekend.

He walked out slowly towards the centre of the gymnasium before breaking into a trot and waving his arms, encouraging spectators to cheer him on.
He ran into the centre of the mat and launched into the backflip before hitting his head.

Thabete lay motionless on his side before rolling onto his back.

The first man to attend to him lifted his legs up before several others joined in to help.

South African bodybuilding magazine Muscle Evolution said the bodybuilding community was “shocked and saddened” by the news of Thabete’s death.

The magazine reports he was an International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Junior World Champion in the up-to 75kg category who recently won an event at the IFBB Muscle Mulisha Grand Prix in July.

Thabete came first in the Under-23, over 75kg division of the competition held in Johannesburg, where he successfully performed a backflip during his routine.

[rhubarb_king]

All because he tried to showoff

[xxxxairwavexxxx]

well that's a really sad he went out like nothing

[trini23]

Head on foam even, nicely done.

[fancok]

kellyhound i dream of your soft tender thighs.pic please.

[Anonika]

He didnt rotate at all....

[Oswald2001]

SA has truly gone to the dogs.

[pianoman]

I am an ex-gymnast and people if you havent been instructed on how to properly do a back flip do not attempt it because this is what will happen everytime.

[lostindisorder]

All that effort into body building, only for one daft moment like that to take you out.

[FuManBoobs]

The bigger they are...