Reigning two-time Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford will have his work cut out for him this September. In a YouTube video from May 29, 2026, Hadi Choopan’s new coach, Milos Sarcev, laid out their game plan to win the 2026 Mr. Olympia.
In 2022, Hadi Choopan reached the pinnacle of his career. He dethroned former two-time Olympia titleholder Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay, but his reign was short-lived. Since then, the Iranian native has struggled to regain momentum.
For the past three years (2023, 2024, 2025), Choopan settled for second place at the Mr. Olympia. He attempted to redeem himself at the 2026 Arnold Classic, where he faced off against an all-time best Nick Walker and Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea. Ultimately, Choopan finished third, leading to rumors about his possible retirement.
Fortunately, Choopan made it clear he had unfinished business in the Men’s Open. He has teamed up with Milos Sarcev for his Olympia preparations. With under four months until ‘The Super Bowl of Bodybuilding’ returns, his coach laid out their winning strategy.
Milos Sarcev Breaks Down Game Plan for Hadi Choopan to Win Back His Mr. Olympia Title
In the video, Sarcev labeled Choopan the most feared bodybuilder in the Men’s Open.
“He’s always a top runner at the Olympia, and he’s going to be this year also. I think he’s the most feared bodybuilder among the athletes. If I was going against Hadi, I would be concerned.”
His goal is to improve the fullness of Choopan’s chest and quads while ensuring his back, hamstrings, and glutes stay tighter and more detailed.
“I am throwing some [giant sets] at him. I’m going to tell you right now, to have a perfect Hadi Choopan on the Olympia, I would still want to have a little bit fuller chest, fuller quads, tighter back, and hamstrings, and glutes, obviously.”
Choopan’s posterior chain will also be a focal point for Sarcev. Additionally, he plans to improve the Open star’s lagging right quad:
“From behind, he needs to be drier and leaner and more striated. Legs, we loved when he showed up with the big legs, right? Then, a couple of times, judges were pointing out that the right quad was a little bit flat-ish. We need to address that. Judges are going to be looking for how about his quads, how about his hamstrings and glutes? So, I know.”
To hold his own against bigger athletes like Samson Dauda and Jacked, Sarcev believes Choopan’s thickness from the side will be crucial.
“He has the most striated chest you’ve ever seen. I do think that fullness from the side view, the side poses, leaving an impression of more thickness and size, and because he’s going to go against some big guys, it will be good to have it,” said Milos Sarcev.
Sarcev hasn’t been the only big name in the sport to discuss Choopan’s chances at Olympia. Judge Terrick El Guindy also laid out his path to victory for Choopan. He argued that Choopan can only beat Lunsford if he showcases balanced and conditioned legs.
With Sarcev in his corner, fans could see the best Hadi Choopan yet. The 2026 Mr. Olympia takes place from September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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