Hadi Choopan (Persian: هادی چوپان; also RomanizedasHādi 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.
Born in Abnow, Fars, Choopan developed an interest in bodybuilding at an early age. In 2005, he won his first national title. He won the WBPF Asia Championships in 2013 and had continued success at the WBPF World Bodybuilding Championships in 2013, 2014, and 2015. He made his Mr. Olympia debut in 2019, placing third and winning the People's Champion Award at the show for the first time. In 2022, he became the first Iranian competitor to win the Mr. Olympia contest. In 2024, he won the Arnold Classic and the Arnold Classic UK.
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 5 kg 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]
Shortly before winning Mr. Olympia in 2022, Choopan made a post on Instagram in which he invoked the name of Ahura Mazda.[10] He is married and has three children.[11]
