Claim: A Facebook post from Sheikh Fruqun Abdulai claimed that martial arts actor Bolo Yeung, nicknamed “Bollow” by some African fans, is now sick and in a wheelchair as a result of lifting heavy weights, which allegedly caused him to suffer a stroke, light skin, weak bones, and muscle pains. The post attributes these claims to “Doctor Sass, a gynaecologist.”
Verdict: False. At the time the claimant made his claim, there were pictures of Bolo Yeung being active and advertising a show on his official Instagram account. Additionally, a reverse image search revealed the image of the elderly man in a wheelchair, which appears in several meme-type edits unrelated to Bolo Yeung.
Full Text
A Facebook post by Sheikh Fruqun Abdulai claimed that legendary martial arts actor Bolo Yeung, widely remembered for his role in Bloodsport with Jean-Claude Van Damme, is now sick and disabled because of lifting “heavy weight irons.” The post lists supposed “after effects” of bodybuilding as stroke, light skin, weak bones, and muscle pain, citing a “Doctor Sass, a gynaecologist” as the source.
The post features a side-by-side photo collage: Bolo Yeung from 1988, showcasing his muscular build, and an elderly man in a wheelchair labeled 2025, suggesting this is Bolo’s current condition. The narrative has gone viral across Facebook groups in Sierra Leone and other parts of Africa.
Verification
DUBAWA conducted checks on Bolo Yeung’s official Instagram page. His most recent posts confirm that Bolo Yeung is active, and he officially announced his show on Instagram, stating that he would be in LA from June 5th to 7th this year.
Another recent post, dated June 3rd, showed him arriving at the venue, walking upright, turning his back to the camera, without any visible use of a wheelchair or any indication of severe illness.
DUBAWA also conducted a reverse image search on the side-by-side photo. The reverse image search revealed the image of the elderly man in a wheelchair, which appears in several meme-type edits unrelated to Bolo Yeung, with no verifiable connection to him.
Further, the medical explanation offered by the viral post is highly misleading. According to the Cleveland Clinic and Harvard Health, weightlifting, when done responsibly, does not “cause stroke, light skin, or weak bones,” as a direct consequence. Strength training is scientifically shown to improve bone density and muscle strength in older adults.
Also, it is inappropriate for a Gynaecologist, a doctor specialising in female reproductive health, to be cited as an authority on male bodybuilding-related illnesses. DUBAWA could not identify any licensed “Doctor Sass” with recognised credentials relevant to this claim.
Finally, the side-by-side photo is misleading. The image of the elderly man in the wheelchair is of Ugurtan Sayiner, a character from the Bizimkiler series, who was ill. The photo showed him at the time he was discharged from Izmir Esrefpasa hospital.
Conclusion
There is no evidence to support the claim that Bolo Yeung is suffering from a stroke or is in a wheelchair due to bodybuilding injuries. Recent posts from his verified Instagram page confirm he is active and in good health, participating in public events. The alleged side effects listed in the viral claim lack credible medical evidence, and the attribution to a “gynaecologist” is also misplaced. This claim is, therefore, false.