The 2026 Mr. Olympia has suffered one of its biggest blows before the competition has even reached the stage.
Former champion Hadi Choopan has withdrawn from the 2026 Mr. Olympia, ending his hopes of returning to the Las Vegas stage and challenging for another Sandow trophy. Choopan announced the decision on August 26 after a series of visa and travel problems prevented him from completing the process required to enter the United States.
For bodybuilding fans, the announcement is particularly significant because Choopan was not simply another competitor in the lineup. The Iranian star has been one of the most consistent Men’s Open competitors in the world since making his Olympia debut in 2019.
He won the Mr. Olympia title in 2022 and finished as runner-up in each of the following three years. He has never finished lower than fourth at the Olympia. His absence therefore removes one of the most experienced and dangerous contenders from this year’s lineup.
A Visa Problem Changes Everything
Choopan’s withdrawal was not caused by an injury or a decision to retire from bodybuilding.
According to his public statement, he had been preparing seriously for the 2026 Olympia and had an appointment scheduled at the U.S. Embassy in Dubai to continue his visa process. His plan was to travel from Iran to Dubai, complete the necessary process and then continue to the United States for the competition.
That plan collapsed when Choopan attempted to leave Iran.
At Shiraz International Airport, he was reportedly informed that his 10-year UAE Golden Visa had been deactivated and that he could not board his flight to Dubai. Choopan then attempted to travel through Tehran, but that attempt also failed. He was ultimately unable to reach Dubai for his scheduled U.S. visa appointment.
The timing left Choopan with very little room to solve the problem.
With the Olympia approaching, he ultimately decided that continuing to prepare under such uncertainty would not allow him to reach the level required to compete for the title.
Choopan Wanted a Better Version of Himself
The decision is especially disappointing because Choopan appeared to be approaching the 2026 Olympia with serious ambitions.
He had brought in veteran bodybuilding coach Milos Sarcev to help prepare him for the competition. Sarcev later described the situation as devastating, explaining that Choopan had already packed his belongings and prepared to travel before discovering that he could not leave Iran.
Choopan also indicated that he had worked extremely hard during the year to bring an improved version of his physique to the Olympia.
That makes the withdrawal more than simply missing another bodybuilding show. Choopan had spent months preparing his body, diet, training and conditioning specifically for one of the most important competitions of his career.
Instead of stepping onto the Olympia stage, he will now have to watch the contest from outside the lineup.
A Major Opportunity for the Other Contenders
Choopan’s absence dramatically changes the competitive picture in the Men’s Open division.
Every Olympia is difficult to predict, but removing a former champion and three-time recent runner-up creates a significant opening for the remaining athletes.
Among the competitors who could benefit are Nick Walker, Derek Lunsford, Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked and Martin Fitzwater. Choopan’s departure means one fewer established threat standing between these athletes and the Sandow trophy.
Nick Walker, in particular, enters the conversation with momentum after defeating Choopan at the 2026 Arnold Classic and winning the Tampa Pro. His aggressive style and highly muscular physique already made him one of the athletes fans were watching closely heading toward the Olympia.
Now, the question becomes whether Walker and the rest of the field can take advantage of Choopan’s absence.
The Olympia is never decided simply because one competitor drops out, however. The remaining athletes still have to bring exceptional conditioning, proportions, size and presentation when they reach the stage.
A Seven-Year Olympia Run Comes to an End
Perhaps the most remarkable part of the story is what Choopan’s withdrawal represents historically.
Since entering the Olympia in 2019, he has established himself as one of the most reliable athletes in the modern Men’s Open division. His career at the event includes a championship in 2022 and three consecutive runner-up finishes from 2023 through 2025.
Missing the 2026 contest therefore ends a seven-year run of Olympia appearances.
It is also another reminder of how factors outside bodybuilding can dramatically affect professional athletes.
Choopan can control his training, nutrition, recovery and preparation. He cannot control international travel restrictions or visa decisions.
That distinction is important because his withdrawal was not a case of an athlete simply deciding not to compete. The circumstances surrounding his travel effectively removed the opportunity from his hands.
What Comes Next for Hadi Choopan?
Despite the disappointment, Choopan has made it clear that his bodybuilding career is not over.
He intends to continue training and improving rather than treating the withdrawal as the end of his competitive career. Sarcev has also indicated that Choopan could potentially target the 2027 Arnold Classic, giving fans a possible opportunity to see the former Olympia champion return to the stage.
For now, however, the 2026 Mr. Olympia will go ahead without one of its biggest stars.
The competition is scheduled for September 24–27 in Las Vegas, and Choopan’s absence guarantees that the final standings will look very different from what many fans expected when the Olympia season began.
The biggest question now is simple: who will capitalize on the opportunity?
A championship that might have required defeating Hadi Choopan has suddenly become a little more open.
And for the remaining contenders, that could make the 2026 Mr. Olympia one of the most unpredictable Olympia contests in recent years.
