The bodybuilding world waits with bated breath to see their favorite bodybuilders step on stage as Olympia Week is underway. However, before the best of the best take to the stage, the IFFB preferred to build the excitement with a press conference. The 2023 Mr. Olympia press conference featured champions like Hadi Choopan, Chris Bumstead, and their challengers on one stage.

Unlike last year’s press conference, which adopted a different format, this year, all the elite bodybuilders sat in rows. There was also a lack of call-outs and trash talk among competitors this year. However, that doesn’t mean sparks didn’t fly during the press conference. In fact, reigning champion Hadi ‘The Persian Wolf’ Choopan hilariously shut down doubters while answering a question.

Hadi Choopan didn’t pull any punches

Press conference host Bob Cicherillo commenced the Q&A session. The Mr. Olympia announcer chose Olympia TV and Primetime Muscle host Terrick El Guindy to ask the first question. Guindy had a question for the defending champion. “I’m gonna start with the Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan. There is a lot of expectation,” on Choopan to defend his title, said the Olympia TV host.

However, he also pointed out the tough competition Choopan will face on stage. “Derek Lunsford is on the rise, Samson Dauda won the Arnold Classic, and there’s a lot of hype on those two guys,” pointed out Guindy. Last year’s runner-up, Derek Lunsford, made massive improvements to his physique since he only had six months to prepare.

Similarly, 2022 newcomer Samson Dauda improved leaps and bounds and won the Arnold Classic 2023, defeating People’s Champion Nick Walker. “Now my question to Hadi is: What does he have to say about the people that think he’s not going to repeat the title?” asked the Olymia TV host. After greeting the audience, Choopan gave a hilarious reply.

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“I’m a Wolf and all I’m here to do the hunting. So I don’t want to scare off any lions or elephants,” said the 36-year-old Mr. Olympia as the crowd burst into laughter. While Choopan has earned the nickname Persian Wolf, fans often refer to Samson Dauda as the Nigerain Lion. Yet, how do the competitors stack up?

The three favorites to win the 2023 Mr. Olympia

While many bodybuilders, like Brandon Curry, seemed to have made significant improvements to their physiques, three bodybuilders have emerged as clear favorites. While Nick Walker was also a favorite to win, he won’t compete after sustaining a hamstring injury right before arriving in Orlando. Hence, Choopan, Lunsford, and Dauda seem to be in a league of their own.

However, unlike Samson Duada, Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford haven’t competed since the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Last year, Lunsford gave Choopan a run for his money. The American fell short due to his conditioning. However, Duada made a bigger improvement on paper. After placing sixth at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, the Nigerian won the 2023 Arnold Classic. However, most fans think Choopan will be the most shredded.

What do you think? Will the Persian Wolf hunt his prey? Or will a new champion emerge? Tell us in the comments.

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