Bodybuilding as a sport is perhaps one of the most subjective. There are a variety of qualities, such as symmetry, muscularity, size, conditioning, and posing, that judges look for in the athletes but there is no universal physique that pleases everyone. It is from this lack of consensus that has caused such a backlash against the 2021 Olympia results, with bodybuilding legends such as Lee Haney, Robby Robinson, and Milos Sarcev claiming third place winner Hadi Choopan was robbed.
Was Hadi Choopan Overlooked?
Recently, a divide has occurred in the community between those who prefer the Golden Age physique, athletes such as 70’s legend Arnold Schwarzenegger and Frank Zane who embody aesthetics and proportion, versus those who prioritize mass monsters with huge size, the current standard in bodybuilding since the 1990’s.
The 2020 and 2021 Mr. Olympia victor, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, definitely belongs to the latter category. While he has incredible proportions and vascularity, Big Ramy won over judges and fans with his insane size. However, this does not sit well with many Golden Age bodybuilders, such as 8x Mr. Olympia winner Lee Haney.
Via Instagram, Haney discussed what he believes to be the superior conditioning of third place winner, Hadi Choopan. He said:
“Without a doubt Hadi was the best conditioned athlete in the Mr. Olympia line up?”
Fellow bodybuilding veterans, Milos Sarcev and Robby Robinson, commented on Haney’s post to agree with that statement. Robinson went even further than Haney and stated:
“Size with beautiful muscle development AWESOME honestly. Ramy is just big. 300 Ib his arms,back ,shoulders be mountains of muscle. Unimpressed. I would expect something other worldly. Craters of raw twitching muscle all over his body. They giving him the title on sİze Alone”
Some might think these bodybuilding experts might be a bit too harsh on Big Ramy, afterall he is one of the most beloved contemporary figures in bodybuilding. Yet, Hadi Choopan won the People’s Champion award, meaning his physique might be what’s most popular amongst fans.
If the sentiments exposed by Haney, Sarcev, and Robinson continue to grow in popularity, this may mean a big change in men’s bodybuilding might be on the horizon.
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