Hadi Choopan
Bodybuilder
Hadi Choopan in 2021
Personal info
Born (1987-09-26) September 26, 1987
Abnow, Fars province, Iran
Height169 cm (5 ft 7 in)[1]
WeightContest: 200 lb (91 kg)
Off season: 220 lb (100 kg)[1]
Professional career
Best win
PredecessorBig Ramy
SuccessorDerek Lunsford
Medal record
Men's bodybuilding
IFBB Mr. Olympia
3rd 2019 Mr. Olympia Men's Open
4th 2020 Mr. Olympia Men's Open
3rd 2021 Mr. Olympia Men's Open
1st 2022 Mr. Olympia Men's Open
2nd 2023 Mr. Olympia Men's Open
Other IFBB Pro contests
1st 2018 Portugal Pro Men's Open
1st 2019 Vancouver Pro Men's Open

Hadi Choopan (Persian: هادی چوپان; also Romanized as Hādi Chupān; born September 26, 1987), known by his nickname "The Persian Wolf",[2] is an Iranian professional bodybuilder who competes in the men's open bodybuilding division in the IFBB Pro League. Choopan is the former Mr. Olympia, having won the title in the 2022 Mr. Olympia competition.

Biography

Hadi Choopan was born in September 1987 in Sepidan County, Fars Province, located in the Southern Iran. Choopan hailed from a financially struggling family, that led him to work at an early age, engaging in peddling goods and construction labor.[3]

Despite the demanding work, Choopan developed an interest in bodybuilding at an early age. In 2002, Choopan initiated his training under coach Jamshid Owji, lifting 5kg weights due to his smaller stature. Over time, he made steady progress. Within three years of pursuing professional bodybuilding, Choopan secured a third-place finish in a national competition and achieved success in local contests within Fars Province. In 2005, he won his first national title, marking his rise in the sport.[1]

In 2013, Choopan's career took a significant step forward when he began training with Ali Ne’mati. His accomplishments included winning the WBPF Asia Championships in 2013 and continued success at the WBPF World Bodybuilding Championships in 2013, 2014, and 2015.[1]

In 2017, he started training with coach Hany Rambod and secured a gold medal at the 2017 Mr. Olympia Amateur. Despite a few setbacks the same year, he gained international recognition as "The Persian Wolf".[3]

Hadi Choopan faced difficulties obtaining a U.S. Visa, preventing him from participating in major international events in 2018. However, he successfully resolved these issues in 2019, won the IFBB Vancouver Pro and placed third in his Mr. Olympia debut and won People's Champion Award at the show.[4]

Hadi Choopan went on to take 4th and 3rd places at the show in 2020 and 2021, and won People's Champion Award for the second time in 2021.[5] In 2022, Hadi won the Mr. Olympia title by defeating 26 competitors and succeeded Big Ramy.[6] However, he lost the title to Derek Lunsford in 2023, taking second place at the show.[7]

During the 2023 Mr Olympia finals, Hadi received both support and criticism from the bodybuilding community. Soon after the reading of the results, Choopan removed his silver second place medal and walked off stage, which many cited as poor sportsmanship.[8] Following this, much of Hadi's fanbase also received significant criticism for their online vitriol towards Derek Lunsford after his victory, including threats towards Derek's family which Derek himself was forced to address.[9]

Personal life

Shortly before winning Mr. Olympia in 2022, Choopan made a post on Instagram in which he invoked the name of the primary Zoroastrian deity Ahura Mazda.[10] He is married and has three children.[11]

Titles and honors

  • 15 provincial gold medals (Fars and Tehran provinces)
  • 6 national medals (3 golds, 2 silvers, 1 bronze)
  • WBPF World Championships: Silver medal, 2012
  • WBPF Asia Championships: Gold medal, 2013
  • WBPF World Championships: Gold medal, 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Mr. Olympia Amateur: Gold medal, 2017
  • IFBB Sheru Classic: Silver medal, 2017
  • Asia Grand Prix: Silver medal, 2017
  • San Marino Pro: Silver medal, 2017[12]
  • Dubai Expo: Silver medal, 2018
  • IFBB Portugal Pro: Gold medal, 2018[13]
  • Asia Grand Prix: Gold medal, 2018[14]
  • IFBB Vancouver Pro: Gold medal, 2019[15]
  • Mr. Olympia 2019: 3rd place[16]
  • Mr. Olympia 2020: 4th place[17]
  • Mr. Olympia 2021: 3rd place[18]
  • Mr. Olympia 2022: 1st Place[6]
  • Mr. Olympia 2023: 2nd Place[7]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Hadi Choopan – Complete Profile: Height, Weight, Biography". Fitness Volt. 2019-09-05. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  2. ↑ "Hadi Choopan Competing In Men's Open Class At Upcoming Vancouver Pro Show". Fitness Volt. 2019-07-12. Retrieved 2021-11-11.
  3. 1 2 Wolf, Dylan (2023-10-30). "Hadi Choopan | Profile | Bio | Stats". Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  4. ↑ "2019 Mr. Olympia Results: Men's Open Bodybuilding Results & Prize Money". Fitness Volt. 2019-09-15. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  5. ↑ "Hadi Choopan Crowned People's Champion at Olympia 2021". Muscle & Fitness. 2021-10-11. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  6. 1 2 Lockridge, Roger (2022-12-19). "Hadi Choopan Is the 2022 Mr. Olympia Champion". BarBend. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  7. 1 2 Beaston, Erik. "Mr. Olympia 2023 Results: Final Info for Hadi Choopan, Derek Lunsford, More". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  8. ↑ https://www.essentiallysports.com/bodybuilding-news-after-hadi-choopan-storms-off-stage-mr-olympia-twenty-twenty-three-derek-lunsford-makes-a-humble-comment-this-is-a-win-for-all-of-us/
  9. ↑ https://www.essentiallysports.com/bodybuiding-news-there-is-a-point-when-it-does-cross-the-line-newly-crowned-mr-olympia-derek-lunsford-reports-being-threatened-on-social-media-after-defeating-hadi-choopan/
  10. ↑ "Hadi Choopan | هادی چوپان‎ on Instagram: "به نام اهورا مزدا، خدای منان، درود بر ایرانیان و ایرانبانان در جهان هستی؛ همه برای یکی، یکی برای همه؛ برای سربلندی ایران همیشه سربلند؛ برای شادی میهن پر از مهر؛ برای شادمانی مردم پر از رنگ؛ آرزو برای ایران و ایرانیان؛ الهی به امید تو🙏"". Instagram. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  11. ↑ Mawuli, David (2023-11-03). "Hadi Choopan's 3 children: Meet his two sons and daughter". Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  12. ↑ RESULTS: 2017 San Marino Pro
  13. ↑ IFBB Portugal Pro 2018 Results
  14. ↑ Hadi Choopan is the winner of 2018 Asian Grand Prix
  15. ↑ Hadi Choopan Wins Vancouver Pro Bodybuilding Competition
  16. ↑ "Mr. Olympia 2019: Iran's Choopan Takes People's Champion Title - Sports news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  17. ↑ Team, G. I. (2020-12-20). "Mr. Olympia 2020 Results For All Divisions | Generation Iron". Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  18. ↑ "Iran's Choopan Comes 3rd at 2021 Mr. Olympia - Sports news". Tasnim News Agency. Retrieved 2021-11-08.
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