Future of bodybuilding belongs to Iran: Salari
By Sadeq Dehqan
Staff writer
Iranian bodybuilder Abbas Salari believes the country is on its way to become the dominant force of the sport in the near future.
“The future of bodybuilding belongs to Iran,” Salari said in an interview with Iran Daily, adding: “The main rivalry at the top-notch events will be between the Iranians and the Americans in the coming years.”
Born in Minab in the utmost southern Iranian province of Hormozgan, Salari, 34, says he first fell in love with bodybuilding when he saw pictures of a famous figure of the sport.
“I started bodybuilding when I was 12. It simply began when I first saw a photo of Arnold Schwarzenegger in a magazine and was insistently captivated by it. I knew I had what it takes to become a decent bodybuilder,” said the winner of numerous trophies in international and national events.
“I won the juniors’ national trophies in 2008 and 2009 and then claimed the bodybuilding and the body classic golds in the country in 2012. I also collected the top prize of the 75kg weight class in 2015, 2017, and 2018,” added the Iranian, who has been dedicating his time to participation at the international events for the past five years.
“I took the silver in the bodybuilding up-to-75kg category at the 2014 WBPF World Championship in Mumbai, India, in 2014 before repeating the success in Fujairah, the UAE, a year later.
“I won the overall title at the Legends Bodybuilding International Championship in Al Ain in 2018. I repeated the feat in the UAE in 2021 and 2022,” added Abbsi, whose latest triumph came at the 18th Oman Open Championship in early March – where he was crowned the overall champion.
When asked about his future plans, Abbsi said: “I’ll be looking to move up to the 90kg weight class in the upcoming tournaments. I’ll have to obtain my NPC license to be qualified for the professional events and, to that end, I should finish atop the overall ranking at the Dubai pro event later this year. I won the 85kg gold last year but failed with the overall title.”
Salari’s fellow countryman Hadi Choopan grabbed the headlines in December when he became the first Iranian to be crowned Mr. Olympia – the most prestigious prize in professional bodybuilding.
Asked if Choopan’s historic success has motivated him to fancy his chances at the high-profile Las Vegas competition, Salari said: “I intend to take part at the physique classic category of Mr. Olympia in the near future, though I’ll have to gain some weight to be qualified for the 212lbs. (96kg) class.
“At 34 years of age, I’m at the peak of my physical condition and will be looking to reach the pinnacle of my career in two or three years.
“Choopan’s trophy has surely been a morale-boosting success for all bodybuilders in the country. Iranians have always enjoyed a massive load of talent and skills to excel and I’m sure there will be much more to hear from them at the international stage.
“Future belongs to Iranian bodybuilding.”