Hadi Choopan - "I had a hot head, sorry!"

For a week now, the entire bodybuilding world has been dealing with what happened at this year's Mr. Olympia, the most prestigious bodybuilding competition in the world.

Hadi Choopan, who was the defending champion last year, couldn't accept the fact that he didn't defend his title and finished "only" in second place behind the winner Derek Lunsford. After the completion of the basic formalities, he took the silver medal and left the podium. This action was watched with amazement not only by the spectators present, but especially by the other finalists of the competition.

With the passage of time, the "Persian Wolf" has apologized, but now in an interview for the bodybuilding magazine RX Muscle he tries to set the record straight, and again asks not only the fans, but especially his competitors for forgiveness.

As you may know, Hadi has a hearing impairment, which he suffered in the past during a boxing match, so for example on stage, where it is necessary to take positions based on commands, read lips, or when there are several people, he orientates himself according to them.

Because of the aforementioned defect, he has not even learned English, so he has a translator by his side when he can. The translator was also present during this interview, which was conducted by telephone.

Dave Polumbo: Hello Hadi, and congratulations on your somewhat bitter second place from Mr. Olympia 2023.

Hadi Choopan: Hi Dave, and of course thank you for the congratulations. I'm sure we'll get to the bitterness.

Dave: Well, we're not going to tiptoe for long, and we'll get right to it. Can you tell us why you left the stage so soon after the results were announced?

Snakes: Sure, no need to step around it subtly, so just go ahead. You know yourself, since you also competed, that you go on the podium with some ambitions and goals. My goal was simply and simply to defend my victory last year. Who has not experienced this, and now judges me, does not know what he is saying. When a man dominates a competition, he feels invincible, and at the very next competition he wants to prove that his victory was not a mere coincidence. Now, suppose you win the Mr. Olympia contest. After all, that's the most you can achieve in bodybuilding, and what I said before applies here a thousand times over! You just don't feel like someone who could fail!

Dave: But second place is no failure!

Snakes: Of course it isn't. I'm still one of the best bodybuilders on the planet, I know it. But the moment they announce the results, and you're expecting to be the one to be named King of Bodybuilding again, and instead you're second, it feels completely different. Trust me.

Dave: But now, as you say, you know you haven't failed.

Snakes: Yes, as I said, I know I haven't failed. I just had a hot head on stage, and I couldn't swallow the bitterness inside me, and simply and cowardly walked off. I've already apologized once, but I'd like to do it again. I apologize not only to all my fans, but especially to all my opponents, who I once again congratulate very, very much for what they have done!

Dave: I believe everyone understands that, and there's no one who will hold it against you for a long time.

Hadi: I hope so. There really was no ill intent or disdain for my opponents. I respect all of them, without distinction.

Dave: What you just said makes a champion a champion, and I thank you for that! Are you already making plans for the upcoming year's competition?

Snakes: I sure do. I've already swallowed the bitterness I had inside. He's not time to beat himself up about anything. That would get one nowhere. One just needs to start working immediately to make the next prograss happen. Only in this way can one defeat not only one's opponents, but most importantly oneself! And that's exactly what it is. It's not that only Derek beat me at this year's event, but Hadi Choopan from 2022 beat me too!

Dave: Are you saying you were better in 2022?

Hadi: I don't think I was better in 2022, but even with hindsight and after seeing many photos and videos, I don't think I was much better this year than I was in 2022.

Dave: So, the goal is to come in better next year than I did at the Olympics the year before.

Snakes: So of course. Not only better than last year's Olympia, but also better than this year's Olympia. If you want to stay on top, you have to keep getting better and better. You can't freeze at some level. The others are getting better, and whether you want them to or not, they're just going to beat you. So it's not time to make excuses, it's time to start working on being a better you.

Dave: Are you going to continue working with Hany Rambod?

Hadi: Absolutely. There can be absolutely no question of ending this collaboration. Hany is without a doubt the best trainer the current bodybuilding scene has! Look at how many champions he has produced alone! I won the Mr. Olympia title under his guidance last year, Derek this year, and Jay Cutler and Phil Heath in the past, and he even won it seven times in a row! There's no other trainer as successful!

Dave: And isn't the distance between you two a bit of a detriment?

Snakes: It certainly does. Especially when we're talking about form, no photo or video can replace a personal view. That's also why I try to come to the US every year with some time to spare, so that we can fine-tune everything.

Dave.

Hadi: You know, if you really listen to Hany's word, you can be sure you're going to be almost perfect, and then those few days are all you need to fine-tune the details.

Dave: You must still be a little stressed, right?

Hadi: I'm stressed, yes. But it's not so much about missing my form as it is about whether I'll be able to travel to the US at all. The political situation isn't exactly favorable to us.

Dave: By situation, do you mean the current military conflict in Gaza?

Snakes: I mean the overall situation between Muslims and the rest of the world.

Dave: Since I mentioned the Gaza conflict, what is your position on that?

Hadi: No war is not a good solution! It will always be suffered by the innocent, on both sides.

Dave: Whose side are you on?

Hadi: On neither side! I guess as a Muslim I'm expected to side with Palestine, but as I said, war is not a solution for me, and it's always the innocent people in particular who lose their lives in war, and it doesn't matter what religion they are!

Dave: I understand, and I totally identify with that. But let's end our conversation on a happier note. What's ahead of you now, and what won't pass you by?

Snakes: I'm going to slow down for a few days to focus on my family. Towards the end of the preparation, they are the ones who always suffer, not only from my moodiness due to dieting, but also from the longer separation. So now I will give them my maximum attention, enjoy the time together, and then I will start preparing again.

Dave: And the goal of the preparation will be what?

Snakes: I'm sure you know the answer. Of course, to win back the Mr. Olympia title! Although I know that unseating Derek will be very difficult, but not impossible!

Dave: Hadi, thank you so much for your time, and your words, and I wish you well.

Thankyou. Once again, I apologize to all bodybuilding fans and to my competitors, for whom I have infinite respect, for my shortsightedness.
And please allow me to wish everyone, regardless of age, gender or creed, nothing but a wonderful future. I look forward to seeing you at the next Olympia.