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Man, 26, a bodybuilding influencer, in China, dies in sleep after complaining his head 'swollen like steamed buns'
He had apparently showed signs of illness during his last outing with friends.
January 31, 2026, 08:16 PM
A 26-year-old Chinese bodybuilding influencer from Ningbo, China, died in his sleep after pre-competition dehydration and extreme fat loss.
Prior to his death, he had made a self-deprecating joke about his head being "swollen like steamed buns" in the caption of an early January selfie.
According to Sin Chew Daily, Bi Jiaqi had just gotten the keys to his new house, and his death came unexpectedly.
At the peak of his career, Bi had planned a celebratory feast with his friends after a competition.
Purple lips
Bi had apparently shown signs of illness during his last outing with friends.
He had appeared exhausted with the veins in his neck extremely prominent, according to China Press.
Photos of him with purple lips and his body slumped back into the chair while playing mahjong were circulated widely.
His purple lips made commenters online question if he had undergone hypoxia, a condition where body tissues do not receive enough oxygen.
However, due to his long-term high-intensity training, these warning signs went unnoticed, and he eventually passed away in his sleep.
The exact cause of death is still under investigation.
Top photo from Sin Chew Daily
