• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Generation Iron

Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network

  • Movies
  • Original Content
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Pre-Workout
      • Fat Burners
      • Testosterone Boosters
      • Creatine
      • Protein
      • BCAAs
      • Multivitamins
      • Omega-3
      • Joint Supplements
      • Super Greens
      • Meal Replacement
    • Recovery
      • Best Cold Plunges
      • Best Saunas
      • Best Foam Rollers
      • Best Massage Guns
    • Programs
      • Best Online Workout Programs
      • Best Workout Streaming Services
      • Best Home Workout Programs
  • Equipment
    • Cardio
      • Treadmills
      • Best Exercise Bikes
      • Best Stair Climbers
    • Fitness Accessories
      • Best Apparel
      • Best Gym Bags
      • Weightlifting Shoes
    • Strength
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Complete Home Gyms
    • Training
      • Best Knee Sleeves
      • Best Wrist Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Wraps
      • Best Weightlifting Gloves
  • More
    • About Us
      • Our Team
      • Our Experts
    • Advertise
    • Franchise With Us
    • Exercise Guides
    • Athlete Profiles
    • Podcasts
    • Power 30
    • Bodybuilding Awards
    • Supplement Awards
  • Shop
News

Victor Martinez Mourns the Passing of Dominican Bodybuilder Novoa Mendez

by Jonathan Salmon Published on Mar 26, 2020

This post may contain affiliate links (disclosure policy).

Victor Martinez pays tribute to his fallen countryman.

Perhaps the most recognizable face in Dominican bodybuilding, Victor Martinez has put his country on the map. With so many high level performances under his belt, Victor Martinez is an ambassador of the sport. But Martinez is the only bodybuilder of Dominican descent to gain prominence in bodybuilding. His countryman Novoa Mendez also had a major impact on Dominican bodybuilding.

Unfortunately it appears that Novoa Mendez has recently passed away.

Cutting an imposing and impressive figure, Novoa Mendez with a massive bodybuilder. When he took to the stage he dwarfed the competition with his incredible size. His passing comes as a major loss for Dominican bodybuilding.

Novoa Mendez was considered one of the strongest men in the Dominican Republic. The 48-year-old Mendez suffered a stroke last Sunday and never regained consciousness. He died on Tuesday night.

Guillermo Ottenwalder, Provincial Director of Sports who monitored the health of Novoa Mendez, confirmed his death.

Victor Martinez took to Instagram to pay tribute to his fallen countryman in a recent post.

Sad day today to hear the news that my fellow countrymen and pro bodybuilder novoa mendez has passed. @palofit informed us that he had some health complications that led to his passing. I got the chance to compete with him in the Toronto pro show in 2013 and his physique caught my eyes because he was very impressive and after learning he was from the same side of town in the dominican republic el cibao I definitely had to make sure he was ok and understood the prejudging rules. Sadly it was the last time we interacted even though I did invite him to all my shows I held in DR. I never got to see you again my friend,but one thing I can say for sure is that you were a very kind and good hearted man that never reached his full potential #rip thank you @npcnewsonlineofficialpage Jim Manion and jon de la rosa for making his dream come true and compete on the big stage.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

Sad day today to hear the news that my fellow countrymen and pro bodybuilder @novoamendez has passed. @palofit informed us that he had some health complications that led to his passing. I got the chance to compete with him in the Toronto pro show in 2013 and his physique caught my eyes because he was very impressive and after learning he was from the same side of town in the #dominicanrepublic el cibao I definitely had to make sure he was ok and understood the prejudging rules. Sadly it was the last time we interacted even though I did invite him to all my shows I held in DR. I never got to see you again my friend,but one thing I can say for sure is that you were a very kind and good hearted man that never reached his full potential #rip thank you @npcnewsonlineofficialpage Jim Manion and @ifbbjondelarosa for making his dream come true and compete on the big stage @npcworldwiderd @ifbb_pro_league

A post shared by Victor Martinez (@ifbbvictormartinez) on Mar 25, 2020 at 10:59am PDT

 

Novoa Mendez was one of the first Dominicans to make a career out of bodybuilding. He received his IFBB pro card in 2013 and competed at home and abroad.

On several occasions he was awarded bodybuilder of the year by the Association of Sports Reporters of Santiago (ACDS).

Novoa was a dedicated bodybuilder who tirelessly worked on his physique day in and day out. He will truly be missed in the bodybuilding community.

Generation Iron offers condolences to the family and friends of Novoa Mendez.

For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.


Managing Editor at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

Header image courtesy of Instagram

About Jonathan Salmon

Managing editor of Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. He has been writing about bodybuilding, combat sports, and strength sports for over 8 years. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.

View All Articles

Primary Sidebar

Get the Latest

Stay informed with the latest news, product reviews, & expert advice.

Popular Reviews

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • Performance Lab SPORT BCAA

    The Best BCAA For Bodybuilding Health & Performance Goals

Trending Articles

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

  • The Ultimate Mike Mentzer Workout and Diet

  • Chris bumstead's 2024 workout and diet plan

    Chris Bumstead’s 2025 Complete Bodybuilding Workout & Diet Plan

Popular Now

  • best protein powders

    The Best Protein Powder Supplements of 2025 (Tried and Tested)

  • Best Creatine Supplements For Bulking & Muscle Growth of 2025 (Personally Tested)

  • top x pre workout

    The 14 Best Pre-Workout Supplements of 2025 (MD Reviewed)

  • female fitness models

    18 Best Butts On The Internet (Updated 2024)

  • best citrulline supplements

    The Best Citrulline Malate Supplements for Performance and Pump

  • ronnie coleman the king workout

    Ronnie “The King” Coleman’s Complete Bodybuilding Workout

Generation Iron

Generation Iron is the first and only digital network delivering health, fitness, bodybuilding, and strength sports content. We deliver premium content with the biggest names in fitness and provide expert coverage, reviews on top brands, workout tips and trends in the worlds of fitness, health and strength sports.

Strongman Corporation
Vladar

Sections

  • Trending News
  • Original Movies
  • Original Content
  • Supplement Reviews
  • Equipment Reviews
  • Exercise Guides
  • Nutrition Guides
  • Athlete Profiles

More

  • About Us
  • Our Team
  • Our Experts
  • Advertise
  • Franchise With Us
  • Podcasts
  • Power 30
  • Shop

CONTACT

Generation Iron Brands LLC
134 West 29th Street Suite 902
New York, NY 10001
Email: [email protected]

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • X / Twitter
  • YouTube

© 2025 · Generation Iron · Disclaimers · Privacy Policy · Accessibility