Family, friends, fitness community mourn bodybuilder in AFC fight tragedy

SINGAPORE — Family members and friends of 32-year-old bodybuilder Pradip Subramanian gave him a tearful send-off yesterday as his body arrived at his flat in Woodlands Street 81 in the afternoon, and then at the Mandai Columbarium.

They had been gathering since the morning for his wake, and most were still in a state of shock over his death.

“Pradip was a very friendly and nice guy, and the loss feels very personal. I can’t take it,” said Subramanian’s uncle, Mr Venu Gopal, 69. “(He) was his parent’s favourite son.”

Members from the fitness industry, including Asia Fighting Championship staff, also attended the wake.

Mr Raveen Naidu, 29, a friend of the deceased for about eight years, said: “Pradip was a great influence (on) the fitness industry. Most of the people here treasured his respect for the sport, his inclusivity.”

Mr Naidu, a freelance personal trainer, was also at the fight on 
Saturday night at Marina Bay Sands.

He added: “He just wanted to promote a sport, and he died doing it.

“We love him for what he gave us, and I think a lot of people understood that he was definitely a pivotal person, socially and in the fitness (scene).

“It’s a great loss for all of us and his family.”

Commenting on the death of his opponent, YouTube personality Steven Lim told TODAY that he was “very sad and shocked”.

“I wanted to fight and win a fair fight. I fought, I won, (but) I mourn ... I’ve not slept yet because (I’m) very stressed over (Subramanian’s death),” he said.

“At first, it was an occasion to 
celebrate, but after the news, I feel devastated.”

Mr Sasidharan Unnithan, 38, founder of AFC and a close friend of the deceased, told TODAY at the wake: “It was supposed to be a celebrity bout, not something that was going to hurt them ... I’m grieving, I lost a friend too.”