Milos Sarcev Defends Hadi Choopan Against Midsection Concerns Ahead of Olympia

With the Mr. Olympia competition fast approaching, fans have closely scrutinized Hadi Choopan’s recent physique updates, specifically focusing on the appearance of his midsection. During a recent episode of The Menace Podcast, coach Milos Sarcev addressed these concerns, dismissing claims of poor abdominal control and attributing the visual changes to temporary factors related to training supplementation and fluid intake.

Key takeaways

• Fans expressed concern over Choopan’s midsection in recent social media updates.
• Milos Sarcev attributes the bloated appearance to pre-workout and intra-workout supplementation.
• Choopan is currently 9 kilograms heavier by design and maintains excellent abdominal control.
• The team plans to bring a remarkably dry physique to the Olympia stage in Las Vegas.

Context behind the concerns

During the podcast, host Dennis James opened the discussion by reflecting on his own career, admitting that he regrets not prioritizing stomach control during his competitive years. This candid admission served as a segue to address the public discourse surrounding Choopan. Many observers had taken to social media to suggest that the Iranian bodybuilder’s midsection appeared less than optimal for an Olympia champion, prompting calls for clarification from his coaching team.

The coach’s explanation

Milos Sarcev was quick to dismiss the negative speculation, asserting that Choopan remains on track for a top-tier performance. According to Sarcev, the bloated appearance captured in recent photos was not a sign of poor conditioning but rather a byproduct of heavy liquid and supplement intake during his training sessions. Sarcev explained that Choopan is currently carrying an additional nine kilograms of body weight by design, a strategic move that the athlete manages with ease. He emphasized that Choopan possesses perfect control over his abdominals and that the temporary distension is a common occurrence when training at such a high intensity.

Preparing for the Las Vegas stage

While fellow guest Chris Cormier noted that Choopan’s massive upper body development could potentially make his legs appear smaller, Sarcev remained unphased by the critique. The focus remains entirely on the upcoming Mr. Olympia final. Sarcev confirmed that the plan is for Choopan to arrive in Las Vegas as dry as he has ever been, ensuring he maintains the sharp, conditioned look that has made him a consistent frontrunner in the sport over the past several years.