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 Nov 4, 2023

In contrast to most of his friends within the Males’s Open division, Derek Lunsford entered the 2023 Mr. Olympia weekend having already skilled the fun of getting a first-place medal put round his neck on the greatest bodybuilding present of the yr.

Two years faraway from capturing the 212 Olympia title in Orlando, FL, Lunsford made historical past by turning 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 Traditional winner Samson Dauda.

The battle for the celebrated Sandow Trophy began Friday throughout the prejudging spherical of the 59th version of the celebrated contest. Unsurprisingly, Lunsford and Choopan — who each prepare 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 throughout the prejudging part. And regardless of hypothesis about probably bowing out on account of well being points, 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry confirmed properly 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 might unseat Choopan, who displayed loads of power whereas interacting with the gang throughout his routine.

Lunsford appeared to have some luck on his facet when he earned the nod from the followers by profitable the 2023 Folks’s Champion title and belt. Not lengthy after taking house 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 super credit score for turning into the 18th Mr. Olympia. It took an amazing quantity of dedication, diligent weight-reduction plan, 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 completely completely different division speaks volumes about his genetic items, work ethic, and mindset.

Featured Picture: mrolympiallc / Instagram