Who was Tonya Knight and how did she die?

THE bodybuilding world has been rocked by the death of respected star Tonya Knight.

The blonde bombshell helped change the landscape of the sport and inspired women around the world.

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Who was Tonya Knight?

Tonya Knight was an American champion bodybuilder born on March 24, 1966 in Peculiar, Missouri.

She became an acclaimed figure among female fitness fans as the pioneer of female weight pumping in the 1980s.

In 1988, the mother-of-one found fame when, at the age of 22, she placed fourth in the prestigious Ms. Olympia competition.

She also took first place in Ms. International the following year.

But the triumph was marred by controversy when Tonya later admitted she had sent a surrogate to take a mandatory drug test for the event.

She was suspended and stripped of her titles by officials at the International Federation of BodyBuilding and Fitness in 1989.

Tonya returned to the stage after the 1991 scandal and captured the Ms. International title without incident.

The bodybuilder competed in a handful of other professional competitions before retiring at the age of 26.

But her incredible physique, posing techniques and proportionate perfection ensured she stuck in fans’ minds.

Tonya was inducted into the IFBB Pro League Hall of Fame in 2011.

How did Tonya Knight die?

Tonya sadly passed away on February 7th, 2023 at the age of 56.

She died after a long battle with cancer, although further details of her death were not released.

Titans of the bodybuilding world paid tribute to the inspirational fitness fanatic, describing her as one of the sport’s “smartest and most valuable stars”.

Eight-time Mr. Olympia Lee Haney said of her passing: “We are sorry to hear of the passing of our dear Tonya.

“She made muscle a thing of beauty.”

Buddy and bodybuilding champion Rachel McLish wrote: “Tonya Knight, my dear friend and one of bodybuilding’s brightest and most worthwhile stars is now resting lightly.

“Even when she was suffering in ways most of us couldn’t imagine, she was constantly checking in, texting, calling and staying in touch to update us on her struggle with ‘C’ and making sure we take care of ourselves. “

In honor of friend and bodybuilding champion Rachel McLish, she wrote: “Tonya Knight, my dear friend and one of bodybuilding’s brightest and most worthwhile stars, is now resting lightly.

“Even when she was suffering in ways most of us couldn’t imagine, she was constantly checking in, texting, calling and staying in touch to update us on her struggle with ‘C’ and making sure we take care of ourselves. “

When was Tonya Knight in Gladiators?

In addition to professional competition, Tonya has also flexed her muscles on the hit TV show American Gladiators.

Her character, Gold, first came to screens in 1989 and rose to prominence as a formidable opponent in Powerball, Breakthrough and Conquer.

The blonde bombshell was forced out of the show in 1992 after an injury and was replaced in the cast by Storm.

During her time on the show, she starred alongside Phillip Poteat, her future husband’s twin brother, who appeared as Atlas.

Was Tonya Knight married?

Tonya lived all her later life in Overland Park, Kansas.

She moved after marrying the late bodybuilder John Poteat, with whom she shared son Malachi, but the couple later divorced.

Tonya also had three brothers; Timothy, Todd and Travis and several step-siblings.

The bodybuilding icon previously called Malachi the “best son” who made her “so proud.”