Iranian bodybuilder Hadi Shoban sparked controversy after American Derek Lunsford won the title at Mr. Olympia 2023, held in Florida, USA. Derek Lunsford claimed first place, surpassing the reigning champion Hadi Shoban, who finished in second place, thus taking revenge for his loss to Shoban in 2022.
Nigerian Samson Dauda secured third place, followed by American Brandon Curry in fourth, and another Nigerian, Andrew Jacked, in fifth place.
Hadi Shoban surprised everyone by taking his second-place medal from around his neck and leaving the stage early after the award ceremony, leaving his fellow competitors puzzled as they began to showcase themselves in front of the audience.
Derek Lunsford became the first athlete to win Mr. Olympia titles in multiple categories, having previously won the "Mr. Olympia 212" title in 2021 before claiming the main Mr. Olympia title in 2023.
Notably absent from the global event was Egyptian Mamdouh Elssbiay, known as "Big Ramy," who won the title in 2020 and 2021 but finished fifth in 2022.
