Jessica Rivera enjoyed a career in bodybuilding that spanned close to a decade.
The IFBB Pro League lost another competitor over the weekend. Women’s Physique bodybuilder Jessica Rivera passed away in Mexico recently. The cause of death has not been shared. The news was first reported by Justin Rodriguez directly with Generation Iron, who coached Rivera early in her career.
Rivera put together an impressive bodybuilding career that earned her a Pro Card nearly a decade ago. She became known in Women’s Physique for her impressive conditioning and muscle tone. Rivera was able to become a strong competitor in the division over the course of her career.
The Career of Jessica Rivera
Jessica Rivera began bodybuilding at a young age and quickly developed a passion for the sport. She was able to turn her physique into a pro-caliber one and it led to earning her card.
In 2016, Rivera turned pro after her victory at the North American Championships. She became a staple in Women’s Physique, competing at some of the top shows during the season. This includes the New York Pro, Chicago Pro, and Tampa Pro.
The death of Jessica Rivera adds to an unfortunate string in the sport of bodybuilding, including multiple this year. In August, Craig Licker passed away at 57 years old. Licker turned pro in 1994 and went onto make his IFBB debut in 1995 competing at both the Houston Pro Championships and Niagara Falls Pro Invitational. This was the first of 13 times he stepped on stage in the IFBB. In 2015, Licker returned to the stage after a decade. He played 12th in the Chicago Pro before a 16th-place finish in the Tampa Pro. This would be the final competition of his career.
Just a few weeks ago, Classic Physique competitor Erik Markov passed away suddenly. He was an up-and-coming talent in the Classic division. Markov began working toward his Pro Card in the Classic Physique division and gained attention due to his incredible level of conditioning. He hailed from Spain, where he lived and trained as he worked to achieve his goals in bodybuilding. Markov became known around his community for his work on stage but also his willingness to help others create the best version of themselves.
Generation Iron sends condolences to family and friends during this time. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
