The question bodybuilding fans keep asking is becoming harder to answer: what’s next for Behrouz Tabani?
The Iranian IFBB Pro has once again found himself on the outside looking in, not because of injury, not because of conditioning, and certainly not because of a lack of ability. Instead, ongoing visa complications have now ruled him out of another major opportunity, with Behrouz unable to compete at this weekend’s Italy Pro.
The news comes just one week after he was also forced to miss the Empro Classic in Spain. What made that absence even more painful was the physique update posted by his coach, Milos Sarcev, on the day of the show. Judging by the images alone, there was a legitimate argument that Behrouz could have walked away with the title. His combination of size, density and condition appeared every bit as good as anyone who eventually stood on stage.
Unfortunately, bodybuilding shows are not won through Instagram posts.
The biggest concern surrounding Behrouz is no longer whether he can qualify for the Olympia. The concern is whether he will be able to step on any stage at all.
The situation is complicated. To secure a US visa, Behrouz reportedly requires at least 90 days for the approval process. The challenge is that an application can only be made once Olympia qualification has been earned. Portugal Pro is next on the calendar, but it falls well inside that 90-day window, creating yet another obstacle in an already difficult path.
To make matters worse, the Dubai Pro –a contest Behrouz has won for the last two consecutive years – was moved to after the Olympia. Whether the event will even go ahead remains uncertain. The scheduling change removed what appeared to be his most realistic route back to the Olympia stage and forced him to search for alternative qualification opportunities.
The irony is that his recent competitive record suggests qualification should be the easy part.
In 2024, Tabani won the Italy Pro and finished runner-up at the Empro Classic. Across his professional career, he has competed just eight times as an IFBB Pro, yet has collected four victories. That is a remarkable strike rate in any era of bodybuilding.
His Olympia debut in 2025 only added to his reputation. Despite arriving in Las Vegas less than a week before stepping on stage, Behrouz battled through the circumstances and placed 11th in the world. Many believe a smoother preparation and arrival schedule could have seen him finish significantly higher.
That is what makes the current situation so frustrating.
For a bodybuilder of Behrouz Tabani’s calibre, 8 professional appearances feels astonishingly low. Most athletes with his talent and momentum would have accumulated dozens of contests, built a larger fan base and established themselves as consistent threats at the sport’s biggest events.
Instead, his career has repeatedly been interrupted by factors outside of his control.
Bodybuilding is built on the idea that hard work creates opportunity. Athletes dedicate years of their lives chasing a dream, sacrificing comfort, financial security and countless personal moments in pursuit of excellence. Behrouz has done exactly that. He has earned his place among the world’s elite through discipline, persistence and undeniable talent.
Yet while many people around the world are free to move across borders with few restrictions and no particular ambition beyond everyday life, one of the best bodybuilders on the planet continues to face barriers simply trying to do the thing he has devoted his entire life to.
That is the cruel reality facing Behrouz Tabani.
The bodybuilding world is not asking for special treatment. It simply wants the opportunity to see one of its best athletes compete. Because when politics, paperwork and circumstances become a bigger opponent than the men standing next to you on stage, the sport itself is deprived of greatness.
For now, fans can only wait and hope that t
