The highly anticipated 60th anniversary of the Mr. Olympia has come and gone, and for Derek Lunsford, it was a whirlwind of emotions. After an incredible journey through the world of bodybuilding, Derek Lunsford, a former two-division Mr. Olympia champion, found himself placing third in the 2024 Mr. Olympia, behind Samson Dauda and Hadi Choopan.
In a recent YouTube video posted on October 13, 2024, Lunsford shared his thoughts on his performance and how he felt after unexpectedly dropping to third place.
From 212 Olympia Champion to Men’s Open Competitor
Derek Lunsford’s rise in the bodybuilding world has been nothing short of remarkable. He first made a name for himself by winning the 212 Olympia title in 2021.
However, Lunsford’s true breakout moment came in 2022 when he was given a special invitation to compete in the Men’s Open after guest posing at the Pittsburgh Pro.
That year, Derek Lunsford made his debut in the Men’s Open category at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, finishing second to Hadi Choopan.
The following year, in 2023, Lunsford’s relentless hard work paid off as he claimed the title, becoming the first-ever champion to win Mr. Olympia in two different divisions.
Related: Samson Dauda Wins 2024 Mr. Olympia Title in Historic Victory
A Surprising Setback in 2024
Heading into the 2024 Mr. Olympia, Derek Lunsford was determined to defend his title and cement himself as the best bodybuilder in the world.
However, things didn’t go according to plan.
Derek Lunsford ended up finishing third, a surprising result for the reigning champion. In his recent video, Derek Lunsford opened up about how he was feeling after the event.
“I’m my worst critic,” Lunsford admitted. “Even last year when I won, I was kind of like, ‘What’s it gonna be? What’s it gonna be?’ and it was the same this time.”
Derek Lunsford revealed that his goal was to come back even better than last year, not for anyone else, but for himself.
He explained how hard he worked throughout the year, spending countless hours in the gym, striving to improve every aspect of his physique.
“You know, it’s hard when you spend an entire year, from one show to the next, and you are in the gym training and you are working hard to come back so much improved that you slam the door shut and you really solidify yourself as the champion,” Lunsford said.
Despite his best efforts, Derek Lunsford was shocked when he found out he had fallen to third place.
“It was just a shock, it’s crazy,” he remarked. Lunsford admitted that he believed he had made improvements from the previous year and was aiming for a “lights out” performance, but the competition proved to be fierce.
Related: Chris Bumstead Announces Retirement After Sixth Classic Physique Olympia Win
Sportsmanship and Respect for His Competitors
Even though the results didn’t go in his favor, Derek Lunsford displayed incredible sportsmanship and grace.
He expressed his genuine happiness for Samson Dauda, who won the 2024 Mr. Olympia title.
Derek Lunsford recalled a heartfelt moment on stage when he congratulated Samson Dauda and his wife.
“I said, ‘This is your moment. I am so happy for you guys.’ I really, genuinely am because I know what it feels like to be the champion, and it feels so good,” Lunsford shared. “Even though it sucks for me, you can never take away from somebody else.”
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Derek Lunsford also took a moment to acknowledge the other athletes he competed against, recognizing the sacrifices they too had made to reach the Olympia stage.
He emphasized that the competitors push each other to be better, helping to elevate the sport as a whole.
“I look at this as more colleagues than competitors because we are helping each other elevate to be our best,” he explained. “We all wanna be the champion, but there can only be one champion.”
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Looking Ahead to 2025
As for what’s next, Derek Lunsford isn’t planning to rest on his laurels. He shared that he’ll be back in the gym soon, ready to start preparing for the future.
“I’ll be on the cardio tomorrow,” Lunsford said. “I’ll be in the gym for sure. I can’t wait to get in the gym again, but I definitely want to be with my wife and daughter.”
Derek Lunsford remains focused on improving and hinted at the possibility of competing in future bodybuilding contests, though he hasn’t made any specific announcements yet.
Fans can expect to see more from the talented bodybuilder as he continues to push himself to new heights.
Related: Chris Bumstead Reveals His Plan To Help Increase Classic Physique Olympia Prize Money in 2025
Conclusion
While Derek Lunsford’s third-place finish at the 2024 Mr. Olympia came as a shock, he handled the setback with grace and respect for his fellow competitors.
His journey from 212 Olympia champion to Men’s Open competitor has been inspiring, and despite the loss,Derek Lunsford’s determination and passion for bodybuilding remain as strong as ever.
As he looks ahead to the future, fans will be eager to see how Lunsford continues to evolve and what challenges he will take on next.