Iranian bodybuilding standout Behrooz Tabani is enjoying a well-deserved victory lap following his latest contest win. In a recent Olympia TV interview, Tabani, joined by Shawn Ray, Terrick El Guindy, and Bob Cicherillo, opened up on his chances of making it to the United States in time to compete at the nearing 2024 Mr. Olympia contest. They also discussed how he’d fare against the ‘big boys’ of the Open class in October.
Behrooz Tabani raised gold above his shoulders last weekend with a clear-cut victory at the highly anticipated 2024 Dubai Pro. The Open lineup was littered with impressive names including Nathan De Asha, former two-time Arnold Classic winner William Bonac, and who could forget, the surging mass monster Rubiel ‘Neckzilla’ Mosquera.
In light of Tabani’s massive victory in the Middle East, attention has shifted to how he’d perform at the 2024 Mr. Olympia show. However, despite being qualified to compete at the biggest event of the year in 2023, Tabani was denied entry to the US due to visa issues. He hopes to correct these problems in the months to come so he has a chance to face the who’s who of the Men’s Open class.
Terrick El Guindy, Shawn Ray, Bob Cicherillo Join Behrooz Tabani to Discuss How He’d Fare at 2024 Mr. Olympia
Given Tabani’s lasting visa issues, Terrick El Guindy assured him and coach Milos Sarcev that President Dan Solomon is doing everything within his power to grant his entry to the US for the 2024 Mr. Olympia.
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“This is a continued effort. I can speak on behalf of the Olympia. There’s nothing we would like more than to have Behrooz Tabani on the Olympia stage just like we have Hadi. So, I’m sure Dan Solomon is working continuously to get Behrooz here through invitations.
Obviously, we have some limitations because we’re dealing with international diplomacy, but let him know that the Olympia wants nothing more than to have him on stage,” shares Terrick El Guindy.
Tabani wants to see how he would stack up against other big names in the Open class at the sport’s greatest event of the year.
“I appreciate much if you can help me in the stage of getting the visa of the United States. So I can compete and be on the stage of Mr. Olympia to show the potential of mine and to be in the middle of the best in the world,” said Behrooz Tabani.
According to Bob Cicherillo, he sees Behrooz Tabani comfortably sliding into a top six or top seven spot on the prestigious stage. He believes his size could spell trouble for shorter athletes like Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan.
“Behrooz is a big boy, he’s got to be close to six-foot-tall if not, he’s a lot bigger than you think he is for those watching on TV at home. He’s a big boy. He’s got a great X-frame, he’s not really missing nothing, like I said, a little refinement like Shawn says, but that’s easily done, and he’s trouble. He would absolutely be in that first call-out and he compares very favorably.”
If you get Behrooz there, you got Andrew Jacked, you got Samson Dauda, you got some big boys starting to make some waves getting into that top six-seven spots right there. That’s going to play very favorably, it’s going to make the shorter smaller guys look shorter and smaller. His biggest opponent right now is the government of Iran and trying to get over,” shares Bob Cicherillo.
Next, Shawn Ray assessed Tabani’s chances on the marquee stage, adding that he’s ‘in the conversation’ thanks to his superior structure.
“Well, the first call-out, the Olympia doesn’t call out six guys, they bring out four, every once in a while, they may. On paper, structurally, he’s in that conversation. We were waiting for Samson to prove himself and of course, he’s running into that brick house Hadi Choopan which is based on this condition. This kid didn’t hit his peak here in Dubai.”
“We weren’t looking at the best Behrooz, we were looking at a guy that was kind of on the way. Again, Nick Walker is not the prettiest thing to look at but in certain poses you’re go wow, and you give him these extra credit points but I’m thinking him standing next to someone like Nick, who was in the top three before, this guy structurally could create some probelms for guys that are considered freaks.”
Ray argued that if Samson Dauda isn’t at 100 percent on the Mr. Olympia stage, Tabani could catch him in October, assuming his visa is granted.
“Listen, if Samson is not 100 percent, he could catch Samson even though Samson has already beat him. These guys are all in a position now and a place in life they are going to take turns beating each other for the next couple of years.”
“He could be in that top six lineup based on what happens with these other guys very easily. Behrooz is in the conversation. If you’re in the conversation, you’re on the right way,” adds Ray.
If Behrooz Tabani ends up receiving his documentation to enter the US, he will add mystery to the bodybuilding lineup slated to take to Las Vegas, Nevada. Fans are curious how he’d fare against champion Derek Lunsford, former titleholder Hadi Choopan, Samson Dauda, and 2024 New York Pro winner, Nick Walker.
With so many contenders expected to compete at the marquee event for its 60th anniversary, there is palpable excitement to see how Tabani fares given his dominance in the IFBB Pro League circuit as of late. If Tabani makes it to the Mr. Olympia stage on October 10-13, where do you think he’ll place?
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