Bonac thinks Choopan has established a transparent path to a different Olympia win.
After years of near-victories, Hadi Choopan finally scored bodybuilding’s biggest accomplishment when he won the 2022 Mr. Olympia. In line with certainly one of Choopan’s elite peers, the Iranian athlete will add one other Olympia notch to his belt in November 2023 in Orlando, FL.
On Apr. 30, 2023, fellow skilled bodybuilder William Bonac appeared on a podcast with Muscle and Fitness. After Bonac discussed his goals concerning a rest-of-year pause in competition plans, the two-time Arnold Classic champion (AC) made clear that he believes Choopan is a shoo-in to repeat and win the 2023 Mr. Olympia.
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Bonac’s primary rationale behind backing Choopan for an additional Olympia victory is that he thinks the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League is veering away from a size focus for its top athletes. With a greater aim on a chiseled physique and overall symmetry, it’s here that Bonac explains such criteria could potentially be helpful to Choopan’s repeat possibilities.
The truth is, with former 212 competitors like Derek Lunsford beginning to thrive within the heavier Men’s Open class, Bonac (who began his own competitive profession within the 212 division) maintains that’s because aesthetic is becoming more vital for Mr. Olympia success. Notably, Choopan’s first skilled victory was within the 212 division on the 2018 Portugal Pro before transitioning to the Men’s Open division in 2019.
“Plenty of 212 guys are doing excellent within the [Men’s] Open class,” Bonac said. “That’s something that I’ve noticed. They’re extremely good, perhaps because they don’t look as big as Big Ramy [Mamdouh Elssbiay], those ‘mass monsters.’ I believe [the judges are] attempting to go away from that. To not say they’re little guys, you understand. I also see that they’re rewarding the taller guys. The few taller guys we’ve got with beautiful aesthetics, that’s a great thing as well.”
When prompted by legendary trainer Miloš Šarčev, Bonac didn’t mince his words.
The athlete thinks Choopan is the present cream of the bodybuilding crop in terms of being shredded.
“He’s [Choopan] next level,” Bonac explained. “Even with the pump up, if you stop pumping up, then he’ll come alive. The more he pumps up, the freakier he gets … I believe truthfully … last yr or the yr before the [2021] Olympia that he didn’t win, he looked way higher. If he got here in with that shape even now, that wasn’t even his best shape and he won it. So, I’m sure he’s going to take one other title if he brings the condition that he brought the yr before.”
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Between Choopan, Lunsford, and Nick Walker, amongst others, the trendy Men’s Open division seems more stacked than ever on paper. If Choopan goes to take home one other Olympia title, it won’t come without worthy resistance. Though, if his training and physique are indeed as elite as Bonac professes, an prolonged reign at the highest of bodybuilding could be inevitable.
Featured image: @hadi_choopan on Instagram