Bodybuilding isn’t as popular as traditional sports like football, baseball, and soccer or popular Olympic sports like boxing, tennis, and others. However, bodybuilding grew exponentially after Arnold Schwarzenegger, alongside other Golden Era legends, popularized the sport. After getting mainstream attention, bodybuilding became popular across the globe, and every year, the sport is growing.

Last year, the Mr. Olympia had the highest number of competitors on stage in its history. In response, the IFBB has tightened the rules and from next year it’ll become even more difficult to qualify for the Mr. Olympia. The growth of the sport in the last two decades has also resulted in the competition becoming more diverse. While American bodybuilders dominated the stage for decades, in the last three years, an Egyptian and an Iranian have earned the Mr. Olympia title. Unfortunately, global growth has highlighted a glaring issue that continues to hurt the careers of several elite bodybuilders.

The lasting struggles of Iranian bodybuilders

Visa issues have increasingly snubbed the hopes and dreams of bodybuilders from across the globe. While the sport has diversified, America remains the capital of global bodybuilding. The Mr. Olympia and the Arnold Classic happen in the States. While many bodybuilders have struggled with visa issues, Iranian bodybuilders have probably had the most difficult time.

Current Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan’s visa struggles once made the news almost every year. In 2019, the New York Post wrote about the Persian Wolf’s struggle. Olympia announcer Bob Chicherillo put it bluntly. “This is a governmental thing between the US and Iran,” said Cicherillo. While Choopan did not face problems with securing the visa after he won the Sandow trophy last year, he faced minor issues in 2020 and 2021. Another talent from Iran has found himself in trouble this year.

Behrooz Tabani qualified for the Mr. Olmypia contest last year. After winning the 2023 Arnold Classic South America, Tabani qualified again for this year’s Mr. Olympia. He was granted a visa last year and has been recently granted one this year too. However, visa processing took so long that Tabani couldn’t compete in 2022. Earlier, the bodybuilder started a petition to expedite his US Visa application, as he is facing the same predicament he faced last year. While Tabani still has some time, an English bodybuilder fared much worse.

England’s top bodybuilding prospect’s Olympia dream shattered

English bodybuilding champion Nathan De Asha made waves this season. The top prospect from England impressed fans throughout the year. He even defeated fan favorite Regan Grimes at the 2023 Flex Weekend Pro to qualify for the Mr. Olympia. Many fans predicted that De Asha would crack the top 10 at the Olympia. However, the bodybuilding world got a shock when De Asha announced he wouldn’t compete at the 2023 Mr. Olympia.

The prospect from England took to Instagram to inform his fans that his US visa application had been denied. “Well, guys what’s going on? We’re here in Florida, in customs, being sent home,” said the heartbroken bodybuilder. “All this time you trained hard and got this far… And yes we’re getting denied,” added De Asha. Competitors from other parts of the world have suffered as well.

Visa issues plague bodybuilders regardless of nationality 

In 2021, Ukranian bodybuilder Vlad Suhoruchko won prestigious bodybuilding shows across Europe and qualified through the points system. However, in October 2021, the pro bodybuilder announced the disappointing news. “I am Out from MR. O @mrolympiallc 2021 because of problem with visa,” wrote the bodybuilder on Instagram.

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Andrew Jacked, who is in the running to win the most prestigious event in bodybuilding this year, faced issues last year. While the Nigerian-born bodybuilder didn’t face trouble competing at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, he had visa issues before appearing on the Arnold Classic UK stage. Women’s bodybuilding competitor Halanny Jully, who hails from Brazil is also out of the 2023 Olympia due to visa issues. The persistent issue has raised alarms in the bodybuilding community.

Bodybuilding legends have raised their voice

As the cases of talented athletes missing golden opportunities due to visa problems increase, veterans of the industry have raised concerns. Some of the greatest bodybuilders have originated outside the USA. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dorian Yates, Franco Columbu, Samir Bannout, and more. One such bodybuilder-turned-coach, Milos Sarcev has repeatedly highlighted the issue.

While appearing on four-time Mr Olympia Jay Cutler’s podcast, Sarcev spoke about the difficulties Behrooz Tabanai and Nathan De Asha have faced. Four-time Arnold Classic winner Flex Wheeler also spoke about the issue in an Olympia TV video. “It just sucks, right. I mean we have it so easy because we live here,” said Wheeler. Unfortunately, even the IFBB has its hands tied.

The Mr. Olympia committee has limited power

The International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) is the biggest organization in bodybuilding. However, they have limited influence on the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. “Matters relating to immigration can be extremely complicated,” read the official statement from the Mr. Olympia organizers. Circumstances differ “depending on their resident country, overall political climate, and personal history,” for each athlete.

The IFBB provides invitation letters if competitors submit a request. While such letters might aid in the Visa and immigration process, they cannot guarantee a clearance. Hence, even the organizers of the biggest bodybuilding event cannot provide guarantees to athletes. While unfortunate, the visa issues persist. Furthermore, there is no indication of the situation improving in the near future.

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