Victor Martinez Warns Hadi Choopan’s Added Mass Could Hurt His Olympia Chances
As the bodybuilding world continues to analyze every physique update heading into the 2026 Mr. Olympia, IFBB Hall of Famer Victor Martinez has weighed in on one of the biggest talking points of the season, questioning Hadi Choopan’s noticeably bigger physique
Speaking exclusively on the latest episode of the Generation Iron Podcast, Martinez questioned whether adding significant size is the right strategy for the former Olympia champion. Instead, he argued that Choopan’s biggest issue this season wasn’t muscle mass at all.
With reigning Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford, former champion Samson Dauda, and Choopan expected to battle once again for bodybuilding’s biggest title, Martinez believes aesthetics and conditioning, not more muscle, will determine who walks away with the Sandow.
Victor Martinez Doesn’t Think Hadi Choopan Needed More Size
Reports and recent physique updates have suggested Choopan has added considerable muscle during his Olympia prep. While some fans have praised the extra mass, Martinez isn’t convinced it addresses the issue that cost Choopan ground earlier this season.
“His problem wasn’t size. His problem was conditioning at the Arnold.”
Rather than chasing more overall mass, Martinez believes Choopan simply needed to return with the same dense, grainy conditioning that has made him one of the sport’s most dangerous competitors.
“Just come back with the same conditioning. That’s it.”
Martinez also noted that increasing bodyweight doesn’t allow an athlete to selectively grow specific body parts.
“When you bring up size, you can’t say, ‘Hey, I’m going to put on size just in my chest.’”
Victor Martinez Sees a Bigger Waist as the Bigger Concern
While Martinez stopped short of predicting Choopan’s final Olympia placing, he did express concern about one area that could become increasingly important when standing next to the division’s top contenders.
According to Martinez, recent updates appear to show Choopan carrying more thickness through his midsection compared to the same point last season.
“If you put the video from recently and the last year exactly the same time, he put a lot of size on his waist.”
Martinez pointed to Choopan’s longtime coach Hany Rambod, noting that previous preparations often focused on creating a more dramatic shoulder-to-waist ratio.
“Hany Rambod [was] trying to bring his waist down to match his legs and shoulders.”
Instead, Martinez believes the added thickness could work against Choopan onstage.
“Right now, he’s become thicker.”
Victor Martinez Says Hadi Choopan’s Wider Waist Could Be a Concern Against Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda
Martinez also explained why waist size matters even more given the athletes Choopan is expected to stand beside in Las Vegas.
He specifically highlighted reigning Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford and former champion Samson Dauda as two athletes with naturally smaller waists and flowing aesthetics.
“The problem for Hadi Choopan is two people behind him have small waists… Samson has a very small waist… Derek Lunsford has a small waist.”
According to Martinez, if Choopan steps onstage with a noticeably thicker midsection while standing next to those physiques, judges could favor the more aesthetic look.
Martinez Isn’t Ready to Make a Prediction Yet
Despite his concerns, Martinez emphasized that it’s still too early to draw firm conclusions from offseason updates.
With roughly 10 weeks remaining before the Olympia, he believes the final contest package is what ultimately matters.
“I can’t comment until it gets closer.”
Like many veterans of the sport, Martinez noted that experienced competitors often look dramatically different once peak week arrives.
As Olympia prep intensifies, Choopan’s conditioning, waistline, and final presentation will remain among the most closely watched storylines heading into bodybuilding’s biggest event.
Image embed via Instragram @hadi_choopan
