Hadi Choopan gets all the attention at the press conference and Derek Lunsford announces what he's going to change history with.

The 59th annual Joe Weider 2023 Mr Olympia weekend is here and the press conference began on November 2 in Orlando, Florida. During the special event, Hadi Choopan got all the attention for himself and others besides Samson and Derek didn't comment much.

"We're doing it a little different this year," Dan Solomon said of the press conference.

Part of what makes the Olympia Weekend so special is the annual press conference - and this year it will feature competitors from all 11 divisions of the IFBB Pro League. Complete with a host of celebrities to interview, the Olympia brand has gone out of its way to prepare fans for an immersive experience. Phil Heath, Fouad Abiad, Lenda Murray, Shawn Ray , Ron Harris , Terrick El Guindy

Hadi Choopan says he will repeat the victory

Great defense is great offense and Hadi Choopan understands this strategy well. He has made it clear that he intends to hoist the Sandow trophy over his head again on Saturday.

"First of all I want to say hello and thank you to all the fans, spectators and the Olympia organization, secondly I am a wolf and I am here to hunt. I'm not afraid of any lions or elephants."

"Phil, you've done this and repeated it many times as a champion, so you understand my feelings. A lot of people train and put videos on YouTube, but I've trained hard and I'll definitely do it again." in response to Phil Heat's insinuation about being active as a champion.

His main opponent from the same team , Derek Lunsford, assured the audience that he intends to take the stage as a "version 2.0" of himself.

"Obviously you have to respect the champion, he's a fighter and he's here to get the best out of me, I'm here to show my version 2.0," said Derek Lunsford.

"It was very close, it could have gone either way with a coin flip. I got the win last year, took the criticism to heart and went back to the drawing board. I'm working with my trainer Hany Rambod, this is our third year together."

"We understand each other better, he knows my body better," Lunsford added. "You have to love this. I live it every day. I just want to be the absolute best version of myself no matter who's standing next to me, I just focus on myself."

Lunsford admits that camaraderie still exists in bodybuilding, but he won't let it cloud his judgment that he would make history as the first two-time winner of Mr. Olympia.

"There's room for camaraderie in this sport, but at the same time I'm here to make history this year and become the first two-time champion and the 18th Olympia champion. There's definitely good camaraderie here, I respect champion Hadi Choopan, he's respected around the world and in his country and he brings out the best in us."

Source: fitnessvolt.com