HADI CHOOPAN is a well decorated professional bodybuilder known by many as the “Persian Wolf.”
Taking first place at the 2024 Arnold Classic, the former Mr Olympia continues to win competitions, however the bodybuilder hasn’t always had it so easy.
Hadi Choopan competed in Mr Olympia 2022[/caption]
The Persian Wolf
Born on September 26, 1987, Hadi Choopan is an Iranian professional bodybuilder.
He uses the nickname the Persian Wolf due to his roots and indomitable spirit.
The Persian Wolf competes in the men’s open bodybuilding division in the IFBB Pro League.
From the small town of Abnow, in southern Iran, Hadi had to grow up fast to help combat the strain of poverty on his family.
They put him to work from an early age, and the physical demands of his construction job contributed to Hadi developing an interest in bodybuilding.
By the turn of the century, at just 13 years old, he was already a professional.
And just five years later in 2005, he won his first national title, marking his rise in the sport.
Despite being shorter than many of his rivals, standing at 5ft 7″ – Hadi continued to build an impressive record in the sport.
For the record
In 2013, Hadi took home gold three years running in the WBPF World Bodybuilding Championships.
The IFBB Pro bodybuilder’s career took a significant step forward in 2017 when he began training with coach Hany Rambod.
That year he secured a gold medal at Mr Olympia Amateur, gaining him international recognition as “The Persian Wolf.”
In 2019, Hadi won the IFBB Vancouver Pro and placed third in his Mr Olympia debut – winning People’s Champion Award at the show.
Hadi continued to make waves, taking 4th and 3rd places at the show in 2020, and 2021, where he won the People’s Champion Award for the second time.
The following year Hadi was crowned Mr Olympia, by defeating 26 competitors and snagging the title from reigning champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssibay.
During the 2023 Mr Olympia finals, Hadi lost his title to Derek Lunsford, taking second place at the show.
Derek Lunsford won the Mr Olympia title from Hani Choopan in 2023 which sparked fury after Hani stormed off stage[/caption]
Unable to hide his disappointment after losing the title, Hadi removed his silver medal and walked off stage, which critics later cited as poor sportsmanship.
He received both equal measure of support and criticism from the bodybuilding community following his outburst.
Hadi fans also received criticism for directing online abuse at Lunsford and his family.
In 2024, at the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival, Hani won first place.
Family man
Hadi shares a rare family photo on Instagram of his wife and three kids[/caption]
Hadi who weighs an impressive 100kg, (15 stone and 10lbs) refers to his wife as “my lady” on social media.
He pinned a family photo of his wife and their three children on his Instagram grid, with a caption to mark his affection:
It reads: “My lady is the best companion of my life.
“I love you my dear. Thank you for all your hard work and everything.
“Your patience and effort for a better life, you are the hero of my life, lady.”
