Former bodybuilder Tonya Knight, who was 56 years old, died following a battle with cancer, according to Fitness Volt. The former bodybuilder had been battling cancer for many years.
Her fans were shocked to hear the news that she had passed away. His son, Malachi Knight, is the only survivor of her family.
Iconic Women’s Bodybuilder Tonya Knight Is No More
In the bodybuilding and fitness world, on January 7, 2023, a day of sadness marked a sad day. Sadly, Tonya Knight, the internationally acclaimed female bodybuilder who dedicated her life to the sport, passed away at 56 after a long and arduous career.
Her brothers’ names are Timothy, Todd, and Travis, and she has several steps- and in-law siblings, in addition to a son named Malachi, who is in his early teens. In the IFBB Pro Bodybuilding League, Tonya set as many records as she could and achieved numerous top-five finishes over her remarkable thirteen-year career.
Tonya has inspired many people to lead a healthier and more active lifestyle through her inspirational physique. Unfortunately, she passed away. However, her performances have left behind a legacy that has shattered industry records. The most remarkable aspect of Tonya’s career was the fact that it was cut short due to her battle with cancer, which ultimately led to her death.
Rip my friend Tonya Knight – aka Gold – You were the reason I got started #bodybuilding in the 80s💔💔💪🏼💪🏼 Fly high Angel 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/EJeMFfC9KO
— Teri (@pinkandpainmom) February 7, 2023
Sad to hear Tonya Knight passed away. One of the first female bodybuilders I was exposed to. RIP pic.twitter.com/BZgDMnCsyN
— Larry Brown (@Tenacitystrong) February 7, 2023
In bodybuilding, Tonya Knight has become one of the most famous figures. So as soon as the news of her death broke, Twitter was flooded with tributes.
The Successful Career Of Tonya Knight Included Several Titles
A member of the school volleyball team as well as her school volleyball team, Tonya Knight was born on March 24, 1966. When Rachel McLish appeared on a magazine cover, she was inspired to become a fitness professional.
With the help of her brother, she began training and joining a gym. The first time she appeared on stage in 1983, she grabbed the top spot. As a bodybuilder, she participated in several shows in Venice, Italy. A champion of Ms. Olympia six times, Anja Schreiner competed with her and other famous bodybuilders during her career.
In 1991, Tonya Knight was crowned Ms. International, and although she participated in the same contest in 1992, she finished sixth. 1993’s Jan Tana Classic was her third-place finish. As well as winning the IFBB Grand Prix in Italy, she retired from the sport in 1993. TV fame came to her when she appeared on American Gladiators. Three seasons into the show, she left because of a knee injury.
The History Of Her Bodybuilding Contests
After Tonya retired from bodybuilding in 1995, she remained a force in the bodybuilding world. A few years after she retired, Tonya opened a gym in Kansas City called “Tonya’s Training Place.” Since then, it has become one of the most popular gyms in Kansas City.
As well as being an avid philanthropist, Tonya was an ardent volunteer who was always willing to lend a hand to those in need. Listed below are some of her most renowned Bodybuilding Contests that she has participated in.
1984 NPC USA Championship – 11th (LHW)
1985 NPC USA Championship – 6th (HW)
1986 NPC USA Championship – 4th (HW)
1988 Pro World Championship – 5th
1988 IFBB Ms. Olympia – 4th (later disqualified)
1989 Ms. International – 1st (later disqualified)
1991 IFBB Grand Prix Italy – 1st
1991 Ms. International – 1st
1992 Ms. International – 6th
1993 Jan Tana Classic – 3rd
Her dedication to the sport was unwavering even in the face of her illness, and she was a source of inspiration for others due to her sheer strength and persistence in the ring, even until the very end.
She is undoubtedly one of the greatest bodybuilders in history, and she is an inspiration to all who strive for greatness in life, even when knocked down by life’s challenges. Does she inspire you in any way? To what extent do you find her inspirational? Feel free to share in the comments section.
