Bodybuilding champ shot dead by motorbike-riding gunmen – months after dodging another assassination attempt

A BODYBUILDING champion has been shot dead by gunmen on motorbikes - months after dodging another assassination attempt.

Luis Manuel Lomeli, 45, was gunned down while driving his Dodge Ram pickup truck in Leon, in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico, on October 28.

The killers had pulled up beside him as he was driving to the gym for a workout session, before unleashing a hail of bullets.

Lomeli, known as "El Charro" or "The Cowboy" to fans, reportedly tried to escape by throwing the truck into reverse.

However, he instead crashed into the car behind.

Local media said Lomeli had already dodged one assassination attempt five months ago when his arm was just grazed by a hitman's bullet.

Nonetheless, police are continuing to investigate the shooting which led to his murder.

Lomeli was crowned Mr Mexico in 2008, the highest bodybuilding achievement in the country.

He was also a champion of the International Federation of Bodybuilding.

But in 2017, Lomeli took a break from bodybuilding on medical advice.

He said at the time: "It's okay, we are going to start losing weight and looking thinner as per medical prescription.

"I do it because then it lends itself to a lot of gossip that I'm sick or that I'm going to die.

"I am in good health. My doctor recommends that I take a break.

"I am responsible, I want to live, my children are young and I want to continue being an example for this sport."

Lomeli recognised that the lives of bodybuilders are often at stake because of how far they push themselves.

"It's time to take a break," he continued. "It's a difficult time for me to get away from the stage.

"They know that there is "El Charro" for a while and I love them."

Lomeli finally retired in 2021 after a 25-year career but his children have followed in his footsteps to become bodybuilders too.

The bodybuilding community has been left in shock after hearing of another athlete passing away far too soon.

Bodybuilding platform Rx Muscle offered their condolences after being left "horrified" at the news.

"We send our warmest wishes to Luis' family and his many fans in Mexico and around the world. Just, awful."

Last month, female bodybuilder Alana Paiva died after a horror hit & run crash while on the back of her boyfriend's motorbike.

A minibus driver allegedly smashed into the couple and drove off, before the fitness influencer later died from her injuries in hospital.

Soon after, another bodybuilder in Christian Figueiredo died aged 29 after suffering a stroke during an operation.

The tragic news of his death was announced by his heartbroken wife Vivi Torres on Instagram.