Hadi Choopan

Hadi Choopan ( fa, هادی چوپان; also as Hādi Chupān; born September 26, 1987), known by his nickname "The Persian Wolf", 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.

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.

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.

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".

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.

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. In 2022, Hadi won the Mr. Olympia title by defeating 26 competitors and succeeded Big Ramy. However, he lost the title to Derek Lunsford in 2023, taking second place at the show.

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. 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.

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. He is married and has three children

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
* Dubai Expo: Silver medal, 2018
* IFBB Portugal Pro: Gold medal, 2018
* Asia Grand Prix: Gold medal, 2018
* IFBB Vancouver Pro: Gold medal, 2019
* Mr. Olympia 2019: 3rd place
* Mr. Olympia 2020: 4th place
* Mr. Olympia 2021: 3rd place
* Mr. Olympia 2022: 1st Place
* Mr. Olympia 2023: 2nd Place

References

External links

Official website
*

Hadi Choopan's page
on Instagram

Hadi Choopan
on Facebook

Hadi Choopan's biography
(champexnews.com)

Hadi Choopan
on Evogen Nutrition

Olympia Organization Working to Bring Hadi Choopan to United States
(fitnessvolt.com – 1)

Olympia Organization Working to Bring Hadi Choopan to United States
(fitnessvolt.com – 2)

مصاحبه با بزرگان پرورش اندام دنیا و هادی چوپان
(aparat.com)

گفتگوی اختصاصیِ تسنیم با هادی چوپان، قهرمان پرورش اندام جهان
(clip.ir)

Hadi Choopan listed for Men's Open Bodybuilding at the Vancouver Pro 2019
(generationiron.com)

Watch Hadi Choopan Movies & TV-Series Online
(vipmovies.to)

هادی چوپان در مِستر المپیا
(dideo.com)

گفتگو با هادی چوپان یک شب قبلِ مسابقات
(dideo.com)

هادی چوپان سکوت را شکست/ مرا کنار گذاشتند چون به جوانان داروی تقلبی نفروختم!
(rokna.net)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Choopan, Hadi
1987 births
Male bodybuilders
Iranian bodybuilders
Living people
People from Fars Province