As the 2024 Mr. Olympia approaches, excitement is building in the bodybuilding world. This year’s competition is particularly significant, marking the 60th anniversary of Joe Weider’s annual Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend, set to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, from October 10-13. With only nine days left until the event, fans and athletes eagerly anticipate the battles unfolding on stage.
Among the divisions, the Men’s Open category stands out as the most anticipated, with top-tier competitors aiming for the coveted Sandow trophy.
In a recent YouTube video shared on October 1, 2024, bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest revealed his top six picks for the Men’s Open division, offering keen insights into what we can expect from the world’s best bodybuilders.
Lee Priest’s Take on Predictions and the 2024 Men’s Open Lineup
Lee Priest, known for his candid opinions, made it clear in the video that he’s not a fan of predictions.
While he acknowledges the difficulty of forecasting results, particularly because of how sensitive some athletes can be to ranking discussions, he decided to share his top six picks for this year’s Mr. Olympia nonetheless.
“People get upset when you place them somewhere. They are so sensitive,” Priest said. “It means nothing. It’s how you look on the day of the show. If you get placed low, don’t worry about my Olympia predictions. You should be training hard and not be worried about predictions.”
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Despite his hesitance, Lee Priest went ahead and gave his thoughts on who might dominate the Men’s Open stage. His list is as follows, though the order is unspecified:
Breaking Down the Top Contenders: Priest’s Analysis
Lee Priest zeroed in on the top three bodybuilders: Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Samson Dauda.
Based on their past performances and overall physique, he believes these three athletes are the strongest contenders for the Mr. Olympia title.
Lunsford, the reigning two-division champion, has been on a tear in recent years and will be aiming to defend his title. Hadi Choopan, the 2022 Mr. Olympia winner, will be seeking redemption after finishing second to Lunsford last year.
Meanwhile, Samson Dauda, who placed third at the 2023 Mr. Olympia, has been riding a wave of momentum after a successful season, most notably with a win at the 2024 Tsunami Pro.
“Derek Lunsford, Hadi, and Samson, you’re probably looking at the top three right there,” Priest explained. “Nick Walker, yes, fantastic. People say he’s blocky, but for the size and mass he has, he’s got a small waist. I don’t hold that against him.”
While Priest acknowledges Nick Walker’s impressive physique, he is uncertain whether Nick Walker can outshine Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Dauda.
According to Lee Priest, these three athletes have better symmetry and structure, which could give them an edge over Walker’s sheer mass.
“When you’re looking at Hadi, Derek, and Samson’s symmetry and structure, it’s going to be hard to beat them, even though Nick is freaky and has all that size,” Priest commented. “But it’s going to be tough to beat those guys.”
The Wild Cards: Who Could Shake Up the Top 6?
While Lee Priest has confidence in his top picks, he also acknowledged the depth of talent in this year’s Men’s Open lineup. Among the wild cards he mentioned were Brandon Curry, Akim Williams, and Martin Fitzwater.
Brandon Curry, the 2019 Mr. Olympia champion, remains a threat with his beautiful shape and impressive mass, though his leg development has been a point of contention.
Lee Priest, however, dismissed the criticism, noting that Brandon Curry’s legs are not as small as they appear, especially in person.
“Akim Williams is another mass monster, and Martin Fitzwater is in the top six. You got to remember, Martin was up against Nick Walker, and Martin can be in the top six,” Priest stated.
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Lee Priest also touched on other competitors like William Bonac, John Delarosa, and Hunter Labrada, all of whom could potentially make waves on the Olympia stage.
While he believes Hunter Labrada is a strong competitor, Priest doesn’t see him breaking into the top six this year due to the depth of the lineup.
“There’s so many good physiques this time. Hunter Labrada, I don’t know if I see Hunter in the top six now. I’m not saying he’s not good, but with the others you got there, it’s going to be tough. Maybe Hunter and Nick could fight it out, but then you got Martin and Andrew Jacked in the mix too,” Priest remarked.
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A Stacked Lineup Ready for Battle
With only nine days left until the 2024 Mr. Olympia, the excitement is reaching a fever pitch. Lee Priest’s top six picks reflect the incredible talent pool in this year’s Men’s Open division.
Whether it’s the reigning champion Derek Lunsford, the ever-dominant Hadi Choopan, or the rising star Samson Dauda, fans are in for a spectacular showdown.
Add in wild cards like Nick Walker, Martin Fitzwater, and Andrew Jacked, and the competition becomes even more unpredictable.
As the athletes make their final preparations, it’s clear that this year’s Mr. Olympia will be one for the ages.
Whether Priest’s predictions hold true or new surprises emerge, the 2024 Mr. Olympia promises to be an unforgettable event in bodybuilding history.
Fans won’t have to wait much longer to see who will rise to the top when the world’s best take the stage in Las Vegas from October 10-13.