Gustavo Badell passed away on 13th July, 2023 aged 50.
Gustavo enjoyed a wonderful career standing side by side with Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler. In Olympia terms, one of his greatest achievements was beating Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler during the 2005 Mr. Olympia Challenge Rounds. Overall Gustavo placed 3rd in that classic Olympia. He also placed 3rd at the 2004 Mr Olympia.
During the first decade of the 2000’s, Gustavo was one of the leading contenders at many of the IFBB Grand Prix, the Arnold and the Olympia.
In 2004 we worked with Gustavo on the day after the Mr Olympia, shooting a video feature with him and taking hundreds of photos. You can see the best of all of our photos in the new GUSTAVO BADELL GALLERY. The late Kenny Kassel was our interviewer that day, shot poolside at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas.
2005 and 2006 were huge years for Gustavo with him winning two IFBB Pro Shows. GMV was there to record him winning the 2005 Ironman Pro Invitational, and then winning the 2006 San Francisco Grand Prix after an epic battle with Branch Warren. I recall the titanic posedown with Branch like it was yesterday.
Several years later Gustavo won the 2009 Atlantic City Pro. After the 2012 Arnold Classic Gustavo called it a day after a magnificent career.
“Gustavo battled with kidney issues for several years,” shared Dave Palumbo. “Whatever caused his death was something that was not expected.” Gustavo was the recipient of a kidney transplant some years ago.
Our sincere condolences to The Badell family. Gustavo Badell RIP.