Tonya Knight, a famous bodybuilder, passed away on February 7 at the age of 56. She battled cancer for a long time, finally succumbing to it. Sharon Bruneau, former co-host of America’s Next Great Trainer, paid tribute to Knight on Facebook, noting that the fitness community has lost a great young lady. She wrote, saying that Knight is an inspiration to thousands:
“I’m sorry we didn’t make that shot.” Tonya, I appreciate all of your love and support throughout the years. Heaven has indeed acquired an incredible Angel. My deepest sympathies go out to her son, Malachi, as well as her family and friends. I adore my Iron Sister. “Fly high, Angel.”
According to Dave Liberman, who met her once, Tonya is a legend in women’s bodybuilding. He revealed that during the 1980s and 1990s, she was known by the nickname “Gold” in the American Gladiator series. He continued:
“I was lucky enough to bump into her in 2016 at Olympia, where she looked young and amazing well into her 50s. Cancer took another victim too soon after the battle. her struggle with the illness for the previous few years. My sincerest condolences to Tonya’s friends and family as we all grieve the loss of an icon.”
Twitter users pay tribute
Tonya Knight has become a popular figure in the fitness industry throughout the years. As news of her death spread, Twitter was flooded with tributes:
Hurt…#TonyKnight died today i am a huge fan met her in ’91 she is a professional bodybuilder and many people may remember her as #Yellow from #American Gladiator
This is the real punch #FUCKCancer pic.twitter.com/K6DVcnEVEY
— SavingtheRepublic ️🇺🇸🇮🇹 (@ BMartin1776) February 8, 2023
Very sad to hear that IFBB Professional Bodybuilding Champion and “Golden” of America’s Fighter Hall of Fame Tonya Knight has passed away. I extend my deepest sympathies to her family and friends. pic.twitter.com/d48BPLANLn
– Jimmy Goodson (@JG41187) February 7, 2023
Tonya Knight has won several championships throughout her stellar career.
Tonya Knight, born March 24, 1966, loved volleyball during her high school and college years and was a member of her school’s volleyball team. She was motivated to pursue a career in bodybuilding after seeing a magazine cover featuring Rachel McLish. She started exercising with her brother and joined a gym. First appearing on stage in 1983, she quickly rose to the top. After that, she moved to Venice, Italy and started participating in various bodybuilding competitions.
She has participated in various events during her career, along with other prominent bodybuilders such as Anja Schrenier and Cory Everson, who have won the Ms. Olympia. Tonya Knight was crowned Miss International in 1991, and although she entered the same pageant again in 1992, she came in sixth. In 1993, she finished third in the Jan Tana Classic. She won many other competitions, including the IFBB Italian Grand Prix, before retiring in 1993. She appeared on American Gladiators, which made her a popular television personality. She left the show on the third season due to a knee pain.
Categories: Biography
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
