DID Press: Iranian professional bodybuilder Hadi Choopan, former Mr. Olympia champion (2022), drew attention at the 2026 Arnold Classic by executing a military‑style salute on stage before his performance at the event this week in Ohio. The gesture, captured during the early‑morning competition, was widely shared on social media and reported by multiple outlets.
The salute occurred ahead of Choopan’s routine on the Arnold Classic stage, where spectators and viewers online noted the moment as a distinctive opening to his showcase.
Choopan, known globally as “The Persian Wolf,” has a decorated international career in bodybuilding, including a win at the Mr. Olympia and past success at Arnold Classic competitions.