A 25-year-old man, identified as Zhang, tragically died after he attempted to bench press a colossal weight exceeding 100 kilograms, all while lacking the crucial presence of a spotter.
The incident occurred on September 14 at around 3:00 pm.
In a chilling 29-second video that circulated through various news outlets, Zhang can be seen lying supine on a training bench, struggling to raise the barbell, its massive metallic bulk straining his physical limits.
The barbell, laden with approximately 50 kilograms on each end, began to roll ominously from his chest towards his neck, pinning his head to the bench.
For a grueling 25 seconds, Zhang battled against the relentless grip of the weight – making futile attempts to free himself.
It was more than a minute before anyone in the gym noticed.
Zhang was swiftly transported to a nearby hospital, however, he succumbed to his injuries.
A representative from the Wuhan Pafik Fitness Club revealed that the 25-year-old was a regular patron. He had been a familiar face, often witnessed lifting substantial weights within the gym's walls.
This incident in Wuhan recalls a similar one in July when Justyn Vicky, 33, a fitness influencer in Indonesia, was killed while doing a shoulder lift with a barbell weighing close to 210kg.
This incident bears a haunting resemblance to a similar tragedy that unfolded in Indonesia when Justyn Vicky, a 33-year-old fitness influencer, was killed while doing a shoulder lift with a barbell weighing close to 210kg.
A spotter stood behind him, a reassuring presence, yet incapable of preventing the grim fate that would befall Vicky. The barbell's implacable shaft rolled over his head, shattering his life in an instant.