Victor Martinez and Generation Iron Persia’s Ehsan Farahi react and review the results of the 2022 Olympia.
Another year and another Mr. Olympia competition has come to a close. With one of the most stacked lineups in the history of the competition, the 2022 Mr. Olympia did not disappoint. A combination of upsets, shocking rises to victory, and returning champions made for one of the more exciting Olympias in recent memory. Generation Iron’s very own Ehsan Farahi and pro bodybuilder Victor Martinez were on the scene for the entire weekend. In our latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, Victor Martinez and Ehsan Farahi react and review the 2022 Mr. Olympia.
The 2022 Mr. Olympia results featured some major shakeups and some returning champions. But most notable of the entire night was the massive shift in placings for the Men’s Open division. Not only did Hadi Choopan finally rise up to become champion, but the returning champ, Big Ramy, dropped down five whole places.
His fall from the top was very unexpected considering the confidence he and his team had going into the big show. A rocky and somewhat mysterious pre-judging set the stage for a possible upset. The finals confirmed that the judges were marking Ramy down quite strongly compared to his last two years.
With Generation Iron co-founders Vlad Yudin and Edwin Mejia Jr. unable to make it to Vegas, Victor Martinez and Ehsan Farahi recorded their immediate reactions and review of the event. Let’s jump into it.
View this post on Instagram
Victor Martinez gives advice to Hadi Choopan for 2023
Victor Martinez and Ehsan Farahi, recording just moments after Hadi Choopan’s big win, can’t contain their shock and excitement for the results. Processing the events in real time, both agree that Choopan certainly deserved the win.
Farahi also notes how historic this is for the bodybuilding community in the middle east. In Iran, and in other middle eastern countries, fitness and bodybuilding is a way of life far beyond what we see in mainstream America. For Hadi Choopan to win the Mr. Olympia, it validates that lifestyle into the bigger world.
But one victory does not guarantee that Choopan will continue his reign. As we can see from this very Olympia, nothing is guaranteed. So Ehsan Farahi asks Victor Martinez, a successful veteran pro bodybuilder in his own right, to share advice for what Choopan should do in 2023 to maintain his Olympia title.
The answer, while simple on it’s surface, is a very important one. Victor Martinez believes that dedication and consistency win the day for returning Mr. Olympia champions. The only person Choopan will need to beat is himself. The judges will be looking for him to not only be his best – but a slightly better version compared to this year.
This can play mind games with champions, who feel that weight and so feel the need to reinvent their process or push too hard, or get too big – and it throws off what had previously worked for them in the past. But in reality, a current champion already has the full foundation in place. So Victor Martinez advices Choopan to simply shut out the noise, stay dedicated, stay passionate, and use what has worked for him to push to a slightly tweaked and improved version of himself in 2023.
This advice is more important than ever before. Athletes like Nick Walker, Andrew Jacked, and Michal Krizo are knocking at the door. Walker, in particular, placed third this year rising up from his previous fifth place finish. We can imagine the next few years of the Mr. Olympia will be true dog fights. While a repeat victory is never guaranteed for any athlete, Hadi Choopan will have to be particularly vigilant in this current landscape.
View this post on Instagram
Wrap Up
There’s no doubt that the 2022 Mr. Olympia was one for the history books – bringing in our 17th ever Mr. Olympia champion and setting the stage for a continued talented pack to challenge Hadi Choopan next year. After seven years straight of Phil Heath’s reign during majority of the 2010s, these past five years have proven that no champion is guaranteed.
You can watch Victor Martinez and Ehsan Farahi’s full review of the 2022 Mr. Olympia by watching the full episode of the Generation Iron Podcast above. Make sure to check back every Tuesday for new episodes only on the Generation Iron Fitness Network or wherever podcasts are downloaded.
