Tonya Knight, a well-known bodybuilder, died on February 7, at the age of 56. She fought cancer for a long period, finally succumbing to it. Sharon Bruneau, the former co-host of America’s Next Great Trainer, paid homage to Knight on Facebook, noting that the bodybuilding community has lost a wonderful young girl. She wrote, stating that Knight was an inspiration to thousands of people:
“I’m sorry we didn’t get to do that shot.” Tonya, I appreciate all of your love and support throughout the years. Heaven has really gotten an incredible Angel. My heartfelt sympathies go out to her son, Malachi, as well as her family and friends. I adore my Iron Sister. “Fly high, Angel.”
Tonya was a legend in women’s bodybuilding, according to Dave Liberman, who met her once. He disclosed that throughout the 1980s and 1990s, she was known as “Gold” in the American Gladiators series. He went on to say:
“I was lucky enough to run into her in 2016 at the Olympia, where she looked ageless and wonderful as she cruised into her 50s. Cancer took another victim much too soon following her hard struggle with the illness over the previous several years. My heartfelt sympathies to Tonya’s friends and family as we all grieve the passing of an icon.”
Twitter users pay tribute
Tonya Knight has become a well-known personality in the bodybuilding industry throughout the years. When word of her death spread, Twitter was inundated with tributes:
Heartbroken…#TonyaKnight died today, I was huge fan met her in ’91
She was a professional bodybuilder and many might remember her as #Gold from #AmericanGladiatorsThis is real gut punch #FUCKcancer pic.twitter.com/K6DVcnEVEY
— SavingtheRepublic ☠️🇺🇸🇮🇹 (@BMartin1776) February 8, 2023
Very saddened to hear of the passing of IFBB Pro Bodybuilding Champion and “Gold” of American Gladiators Fame Tonya Knight.
All my sympathy to her family and friends. pic.twitter.com/d48BPLANLn— Jimmy Goodson (@JG41187) February 7, 2023
Tonya Knight won several championships throughout her stellar career.
Tonya Knight, who was born on March 24, 1966, took an interest in volleyball throughout her school and college years and was a part of her school volleyball team. She was motivated to pursue a career in fitness after seeing a magazine cover starring Rachel McLish. She started exercising with her brother and joined a gym. When she initially appeared on stage in 1983, she quickly rose to the top. She then relocated to Venice, Italy, and began competing in various bodybuilding competitions.
She competed in various events during her career, alongside other prominent bodybuilders such as Anja Schrenier and Cory Everson, who won Ms. Olympia six times. Tonya Knight was crowned Ms. International in 1991, and despite competing in the same competition again in 1992, she finished sixth. In 1993, she finished third in the Jan Tana Classic. She won numerous further contests, including the IFBB Grand Prix Italy, before retiring in 1993. She appeared on American Gladiators, which made her a well-known television personality. She left the program in the third season due to a knee ailment.
