Chulsey Graham, R.I.P.

Sad news out of Texas: Chulsey Graham, 39, a top NPC competitor who was featured as one of my "Rising Stars" in 2009, passed away early Sunday due to complications from back surgery. Various reports said Graham, who won the Light-Heavyweight class at the 2008 North American Championships before duplicating that finish at the Nationals the same season, also suffered from sleep apnea, which may have played a role in his death.

Graham, who was 5’8" and competed at around 198 pounds when he went LHW (Graham also competed in the Heavyweight division at National level shows,) was married to Tonia and had three children.