Derek Lunsford Turns into the First Two-Division Champion on the 2023 Mr. Olympia

The previous 212 Olympian can formally name himself Mr. Olympia.

Written by Stephen Sheehan, CPT Final up to date on November 4, 2023

Not like most of his friends within the Males’s Open division, Derek Lunsford entered the 2023 Mr. Olympia weekend having already skilled the joys of getting a first-place medal put round his neck on the greatest bodybuilding present of the 12 months.

Two years faraway from capturing the 212 Olympia title in Orlando, FL, Lunsford made historical past by changing into the primary two-division champion within the historical past of the Mr. Olympia contest. The USA native emerged victorious from a crop of elite rivals headlined by defending champion Hadi Choopan and 2023 Arnold Classic winner Samson Dauda.

The battle for the distinguished Sandow Trophy began Friday in the course of the prejudging spherical of the 59th version of the distinguished contest. Unsurprisingly, Lunsford and Choopan — who each practice with legendary coach Hany Rambod — rapidly separated themselves from the remainder of the pack with their elite conditioning and sheer quantity of muscle mass.

Dauda’s sizable body and imposing physique additionally stood out in the course of the prejudging part. And regardless of hypothesis about doubtlessly bowing out attributable to well being points, 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry confirmed effectively throughout his newest try and climb again to the highest of the Males’s Open mountain.

Callout One

Callout Two

Callout Three

Phil Clahar
Theo Leguerrier
Roman Friz
Justin Shier

Callout 4

Andrew Jacked
Brandon Curry
Michal Krizanek
Hunter Labrada

Callout 5

Hadi Choopan
Derek Lunsford
Samson Dauda

The ultimate callout featured a dramatic three-person pose-off between Choopan, Lunsford, and Dauda. All three rivals placed on terrific showings, although Dauda appeared to tire a bit towards the top. There was nonetheless loads of anticipation about whether or not Lunsford may unseat Choopan, who displayed loads of power whereas interacting with the group throughout his routine.

Lunsford appeared to have some luck on his facet when he earned the nod from the followers by successful the 2023 Individuals’s Champion title and belt. Not lengthy after taking residence the fan-voted award, the 2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up etched his place in bodybuilding historical past books by formally incomes the 2023 Mr. Olympia title and $400,000.

2023 Mr. Olympia Outcomes

Right here’s how the highest 5 shook out for the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest, together with the prize purse by place.

Derek Lunsford — $400,000
Hadi Choopan — $175,000
Samson Dauda — $100,000
Brandon Curry — $40,000
Andrew Jacked — $35,000

Proving he’s able to doing no matter’s essential to get his physique into championship form, Derek Lunsford deserves great credit score for changing into the 18th Mr. Olympia. It took an amazing quantity of dedication, diligent dieting, and intense coaching to assemble a physique that satisfied the judges to place Choopan within the No. 2 spot in 2023.

Plus, the very fact Lunsford achieved that feat simply two years after he asserted his dominance in a wholly totally different division speaks volumes about his genetic presents, work ethic, and mindset.

Featured Picture: mrolympiallc / Instagram

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