Controversy and bodybuilding never seem to part ways. The 59th edition of the Super Bowl of Bodybuilding, Mr. Olympia concluded in Orlando with a new name and a new record — Derek Lunsford became the first Mr. Olympia champion to win both 212 and open championship titles. Taking the crown from the former champion Hadi Choopan, the post-announcement celebrations saw the Persian Wolf as a spoilsport for the evening.

Coach Hany Rambod will be a happy man today. After all, two out of the three finalists have been coached by the Pro Creator — Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan. In what turned out to be a battle fought primarily among the mentees of team Rambod and 2023 Arnold Classic Winner Samson Dauda, the Persian Wolf’s upsetting stage exit has everyone mulling over it. Fans and experts are now divided over who should have had the rightful claim to the throne.

A championship loss and a strange stage exit later, Hadi Choopan’s coach has things to say

As was evident from the proceedings, Choopan seemed unhappy about the result. When Bob Chick asked the bodybuilding icons on stage to flex their muscles after crowning Mr. Olympia, the Iranian bodybuilder stormed off the stage, stunning everyone.

However, controversies aside, experts and fans had their own perspectives.

Incidentally, as mentioned earlier, both Choopan and Lunsford had the same coach for Mr. Olympia, Hany Rambod. He refused to be drawn into any controversy and congratulated all the bodybuilders who took part in the competition. In a video put out by Fazi fitness, he says, “At the end, the judges are the ones that judge the shows, but I know that these two guys have worked their a**es off and I just don’t want anyone to take away from their accomplishments that were put out here this weekend.”

Watch This Story | 8x Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman Named His Female Counterpart in the Bodybuilding World

Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman had predicted that Lunsford was going to be the winner based on the improvements he noticed in his conditioning. On the other hand, Samir Bannout, “The Lion of Lebanon” and 1983 Mr. Olympia, meanwhile, had admitted to being shocked by the impressive physique of Hadi Choopan which he found well-rounded. However, he still agreed that Lunsford had a flawless physique. However, fans had a different perspective altogether.

Fans take Hadi Choopan’s defeat to heart

Several fans expected Hadi Choopan to win again this year due to his great muscle mass, and shape. Despite many bodybuilding elites rooting for Lunsford, including Ronnie Coleman and Jay Cutler, Choopan’s fans expected him to become a two-time Mr. Olympia champion. However, the defeat didn’t go down well with fans.

“Biggest robbery button here,” complained a fan.
“Hadi leaving the stage that way was disrespectful,” noted another bodybuilding enthusiast.
“Hadi was robbed with, and I really wanted Derek to win but nah man Hadi was a lot better,” asserted a follower

“Shameful Robbery,” commented an angry user.
“Robbed, shame on you Mr. Olympia,” lamented a bodybuilding enthusiast upset with Open Category results.

Irrespective of the opinions, one thing can’t be contested – the amount of prize money each bodybuilder won. Derek Lunsford took home a cash prize of $400,000. Hadi Choopan took a cash prize of $150,000, while Samson Dauda became richer by $100,000. Brandon Curry and Andrew Chinedu Obiekea, in the fourth and fifth places won $80,000 and $50,000 each respectively.

While Hadi Choopan has to find a strategy to win back his Mr. Olympia title, Samson Dauda has to put more effort into winning the Sandow Trophy shortly. Fans would do well to remember that Samson Dauda, coached by the legendary Milos Sarcev (1989 Mr. Universe), finished at no. 6 last year in Mr. Olympia. He has been steadily coming up the ranks and finished within the top 10 in his very first Mr. Olympia appearance. Although Choopan’s emotional reaction to his defeat was not a sublime act, upon reconciliation, he later dropped a congratulatory post with a winners’ collage on his IG saying, “Well done on your achievement I congratulate all of you on the championship and I wish you the best. Good luck and happy championship to all of you.”

Read More | 26 Years Since Dorian Yates’ 6th Mr. Olympia, 330 Lbs Samson Dauda Opens Up On Being the Next Probable Mr. Olympia From United Kingdom: “Is Beyond Belief, its Crazy”