George Peterson, a great bodybuilder from the 212 division has reportedly died, according to an announcement from Olympia LLC made on Oct. 6, 2021. His cause of death is unknown, and no statement has been released on any of his social media accounts yet. Peterson was ambitious to compete in the Men’s 212 Division at the 2021 Mr. Olympia, scheduled for Oct. 7-10, in Orlando.
Peterson was in Orlando, FL, set to take the stage in his second Olympia competition. His Instagram account was last updated in the early hours of Oct. 6. 2021. Peterson had not publically revealed any health problems before his death in Orlando just before the competition.
Peterson’s Death Cause
According to Justin Miller, the coach of Peterson, Peterson felt physically and mentally strong to compete at the stage of Olympia on the night of Oct. 5. The next day, Miller went to the Amateur Olympia prejudging and after coming back around noon EST, couldn’t get ahold of Peterson.
Justin Miller called a guard to open his room and they found him lying face down and “mostly cold.” The EMTs said Peterson passed away some hours earlier.
Chris Bumstead’s Reaction on Peterson’s Death
Chris Said on Peterson’s death “I’m in shock. George was an absolute legend. I was always grateful to share the stage with such a great man.”
Shaun Clarida’s Reaction on Peterson’s Death
Shaun Clarida 212 Olympia champion 2020 said on his death, “Absolutely in shock by this. Such a great guy has gone too soon. My prayers go out to his close friends and family during this rough time. We’ll miss you champ.”
George Peterson’s Bodybuilding Career
George Peterson, known as “Da Bull,” rose to influence in the Classic Physique division. He got his IFBB Pro card by winning the 2016 NPC Nationals in the same division, and he debuted as a pro the following season.
Peterson’s first professional achievement was at the Tampa Pro in 2017, and he went on to place third in the Classic Physique Olympia 2017. He was in the top-three at Olympia 2018. He entered and won the 2019 Arnold Classic Physique competition in Columbus, OH. Peterson finished in an impressive third place at Olympia 2019.
After 2019, Peterson declared that he was moving up to the 212 division as he tried to make weight in Classic Physique Division.
He started his career in the new category of bodybuilding the same way he started his career in the previous one by winning the Tampa Pro 2020.
He placed third at the Olympia 2019 in 212 Division. Shaun Clarida won the Olympia title in the same division in 2020.
George Peterson Bodybuilding History
- 2013, North American Championships, IFBB Men’s Heavyweight – 18th place
- 2013, National Championships, NPC Men’s Heavyweight – 16th place
- 2016, Eastern USA Championships, NPC Men’s Classic Physique Class B – 1st place
- 2016, National Championships, NPC Men’s Classic Physique Class B, Overall – 1st place (Earned Pro Card)
- 2017, New York Pro, IFBB Men’s Classic Physique – 2nd place
- 2017, Tampa Pro, IFBB Men’s Classic Physique – 1st place
- 2017, Joe Weider’s Mr. Olympia, IFBB Men’s Classic Physique – 3rd place
- 2018, Joe Weider’s Mr. Olympia, IFBB Men’s Classic Physique – 3rd place
- 2019, Arnold Classic IFBB Men’s Classic Physique – 1st place
- 2019, Joe Weider’s Mr. Olympia, IFBB Men’s Classic Physique – 3rd place
- 2020, Tampa Pro, IFBB Men’s Classic Physique – 1st place
- 2020, Joe Weider’s Mr. Olympia, IFBB 212 Division – 3rd place