Breaking: Shawn Rhoden & Hadi Choopan OUT Of The Arnold Classic

Last Updated onMarch 1, 2018

According to the official competitor’s list on the Arnold Sports Official site, Shawn Rhoden & Hadi Choopanname has been removed from the list.

Shawn Rhoden out of Arnold Classic 2018 After Dehydration & Flu:

Today Shawn Rhoden has officially announced on his official Instagram that he will no longer be competing at the 2018 Arnold Classic, Ohio. According to the Shawn, this comes due to some extreme dehydration, two ulcers, and a serious case of the flu – creating a perfect storm that sent him to the hospital.

Check out his official Instagram post below:

This first picture here was a couple weeks ago when I was five weeks out from the Arnold Classic 2018. I was feeling great! Unfortunately, I came home to Santa Barbara to visit my family and I started throwing up for two days. Since I don’t normally complain my coach, Chris Aceto, recommended that I go to the hospital thinking that I may be overly dehydrated. I ended up being rushed by ambulance from one hospital to another that had better facilities to care for me. I was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Not only did I have the horrible flu going around but my hemoglobin level was at 4 (should be around 14). I lost A LOT of blood due to two ulcers bleeding into my intestine over a period of time. I was given 6 blood transfusions that brought my body back to levels where my body could reproduce enough blood on its own to normal levels. Since it is so close to the Arnold, I am disappointed that I must announce that I will not be competing in this years Arnold Classic 2018. I am thankful that I am feeling better!! And I am thankful for all of the support from my family, friends and IFBB Pro League. I am back to training hard and pushing myself to bring my BEST to the Olympia 2018! I will still be at the Arnold Classic 2018 to cheer on my fellow athletes and to chat with all the fans! I am looking forward to visiting with fans when I’m not on “diet brain!” Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

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A post shared by Shawn Rhoden (@flexatronrhoden)

According to the sources Shawn Rhoden is now doing well and recovering, he will be sorely missed on the bodybuilding stage.

Hadi Choopan will not be able to compete at Arnold Classic, Ohio:

Hadi Choopan an Iranian bodybuilder who almost beat Flex Lewis will not be competing in the Arnold Classic due to President Donald Trump’s continuing efforts with the travel ban. Immigration and visas becoming harder to get (especially for those in Iran), Hadi Choopan has found himself unable to compete in some truly big competitions.