Since losing his Olympia title to Derek Lunsford in 2023, Open class star Hadi Choopan hasn’t rested in his quest for redemption. In a recent YouTube video, coach Chris Aceto discussed Hadi Choopan’s latest performance at the 2024 Arnold Classic UK and who might stand between him and his Mr. Olympia title.
The 2024 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK events are in the books; fans witnessed unforgettable action from the Men’s Open. At both contests, Hadi Choopan‘s conditioning and stage presence clinched gold, setting the table for an even more intense Mr. Olympia competition this October.
Since Choopan’s latest triumphs, bodybuilding veterans have discussed the next showdown between Choopan and two-division Mr. Olympia winner Derek Lunsford. With Samir Bannout calling their back-and-forth our era’s ‘major rivalry,’ fans are ready to see Choopan and Lunsford settle the score on the sport’s greatest stage.
Chris Aceto Talks Hadi Choopan’s Ab Shots, 2024 Mr. Olympia Chances, and Who Can Beat Him
When asked outright who could defeat Hadi Choopan at 2024 Mr. Olympia, Aceto pointed to Derek Lunsford and his pupil, Andrew Jacked.
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“He probably scares a lot of people in the lineup,” says Aceto.
“Can anyone beat him in your mind?” asks Dave Palumbo.
“Yeah, people can beat him,” said Aceto. “Derek has beat him so Derek can beat him. I think depending on how his off-season goes and stuff, I think Andrew Jacked can beat him. I think a Samson. There are anomalies in the lineup who because of their frame can make improvements and make a big impact.”
After witnessing Choopan’s recent performance at the 2024 Arnold Classic UK, Aceto believes Choopan has the biggest adductors of any competitor, which gives his legs a freakishly full appearance.
“When he came out and he stood in prejudging, he stands with a vacuum and then he sits on the abs. It’ just like, he’s very short and very wide and when you’re wide and short and you’ve got full legs… you know what Dave? He has the biggest adductors in the sport.”
Aceto praised Choopan for the conviction he displays while hitting the abs and thigh pose, complimenting his vacuum.
“They make them look so full. And, you know what, only his physique, he stands too wide, but it works for him. And he sits on his abs and most people sit on their abs they look shallow up front. They don’t have the width up top that’s why you’d tell someone stand big, why? So, you can look big to the judges. He is the only guy, him and Brandon Curry, who can sit on their abs and look wide up top.”
He believes a tight midsection is one of the hallmarks judges look for when assessing the dryness of a physique.
“The judge wants to see the midsection right? You’re the judge, you want to see oh they’re conditioned, they have leg separation, what’s their midsection look like? It’s a tell-tale sign of being in condition and his midsection is fantastic but he can sit on his abs where a lot of people where they sit on their abs they just end up making themselves look small.”
Chris Aceto hasn’t been the only bodybuilding coach blown away by Choopan’s consistency and success. Milos Sarcev, the former coach of Samson Dauda, recently assessed ‘The Persian Wolf’s’ performance in Ohio. In light of Choopan’s continued improvements, Sarcev believes the former champion is ‘closing in’ on Derek Lunsford’s Mr. Olympia title.
Fans are already turning their attention to the showdown between Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford on the horizon. The 2024 Mr. Olympia competition takes place from October 10-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada in celebration of its 60th anniversary.
Watch the full video from the Rx Muscle YouTube channel below:
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