Persian Wolf Choopan crowned at Arnoald Classic 2024
Iranian bodybuilding superstar Hadi Choopan claimed yet another major prize on Saturday as he was crowned the Men’s Open champion at the Arnold Classic 2024.
Held in front of a sold-out crowd at the Battelle Grand Ballroom in Columbus, Ohio, the sport’s premier event saw some top competitors from around the globe vie for the ultimate prize.
However, it eventually appeared to be a two-man race heading into the final day, as both Choopan – a Mr. Olympia champion in 2022 – and Samson Dauda, who was looking to defend his title, were featured in the first and final callouts during prejudging on Friday.
The two favorites kicked off the first callout in another head-to-head with the commentary team filling Choopan’s conditioning was the difference maker and predicted the Iranian would take the title from the defending champion.
The two were called out again in a third callout with the other top contenders in Rafael Brandao and Akim Williams.
At the end of the day, the ‘Persian Wolf’ dethroned the ‘Nigerian Lion’ to win the $300,000 prize and earn some redemption, having felt hard done by to finish as the runner-up in the 2023 Mr. Olympia last November.
Presented with the trophy by Arnold Schwarzenegger, the 36-year-old Iranian was also awarded the Franco Columbu Most Muscular award.
“I used to spend a lot of money just to watch Arnold movies when I was a kid and my biggest dream was to meet him one day and take a picture with him,” Choopan said when interviewed on the stage by Schwarzenegger.
“I feel so privileged to share the stage with him today. We’re two Mr. Olympia champions. It’s just a great honor to receive this award from an idol and the greatest bodybuilder in the world,” added the Iranian who was accompanied by his high-profile coach Hany Rambod.
Schwarzenegger, meanwhile, was full of praise for Choopan, saying: “Congratulations on the great, great victory. You were without any doubt the best. You were the best yesterday in the prejudging and you were the best today. You were the most defined, the most cut, and the most muscular, [with] great posing and everything.”
Choopan will return to Las Vegas, Nevada, for the 2024 Mr. Olympia in mid-October, where he will be considered the top contender to reigning champion Derek Lunsford.