The people of Shiraz welcomed Hadi Choopan at the airport

On the heels of an impressive first showing in 2022, "Nigerian Lion" Samson Dauda rose four spots from his previous finish to the No. 3 position. Should stay on track over the next year and continue to show the same evolution as a performer, it is not a stretch to suggest that he may be the next first-timer to hoist the Sandow trophy.