The 2023 Mr. Olympia title belongs to Derek Lunsford, and Jay Cutler is back to break down the bodybuilding action that unfolded last weekend. During the latest Cutler Cast Podcast on November 7, 2023, Cutler and Milos Sarcev discussed the controversial Olympia results and explained why politics have no place in bodybuilding.
It was a truly unforgettable night in Orlando, Florida on Saturday, November 4. After a heated prejudging and finals, it was clear gold would fall into the hands of Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, or Samson Dauda. In the end, the judges had Lunsford ahead on the scorecards. However, when it was time to pose for photo ops, Choopan stormed off stage.
Having claimed the Sandow trophy, Lunsford established himself as the first-ever two-division Mr. Olympia champion. Hours after his big win, fan backlash ensued. Lunsford’s Instagram account has been shut down twice. Moreover, the reigning Mr. Olympia has received threats to himself and his family. With a dark cloud hanging over the top of the Open class, Cutler and Sarcev gave their thoughts on the current state of bodybuilding.
Milos Sarcev Says He Was ‘Inclined’ to Give Hadi Choopan 2023 Olympia Win, Talks Fan Controversy w/ Jay Cutler
According to Cutler, the 2023 Mr. Olympia could have ended with any one of the top three winning.
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“I felt the show could have rolled three or four different ways,” said Jay Cutler.
“It was a three-way show and for people that don’t know when there’s nine judges, two highs and two low scores are erased and the middle five count,” shared Milos Sarcev.
“They compared the top three four times at the prejudging and four times at the finals. So imagine, if nine judges seeing you eight times hitting the same pose next to those two, they made a judgment. It was not like rushed. Oh, maybe somebody can improve and somebody would fade, they gave exactly perfect opportunity like we were expecting, many comparisons,” shared Milos Sarcev.
In light of the controversy surrounding Lunsford’s 2023 Mr. Olympia win, Sarcev emphasized that the IFBB Pro League doesn’t award competitors based on political factors.
“When somebody loses and they try to justify it, so they would say maybe it’s political judging…IFBB judging is zero political which proof — for you Iranians — think about it. Last year, Brett Wilkin, a popular America, was very much liked and he would be a great addition to the Mr. Olympia, he came in crazy condition at the Romania show, he should be favored by all means, and Iranian Behrooz Tabani, my athlete beat him.
Exactly. So if there’s any political issue, that would not happen. Last year’s Olympia, first-time contender, 2021 212 champion, liked, marketable, American, didn’t beat Iranian guy so please let’s keep the politics out,” said Milos Sarcev.
“I have a lot of followers from Iran and a lot of people are asking questions, ‘Your opinion, your opinion, your opinion,’ and they want me to say Hadi won. For me, yeah if I was judging I would be more inclined giving it to him which we’re going to dissect it here but you said before the show, once they turn around and Derek hits that back double biceps, it’s stellar. Oh my God. And he was even better than I was expecting,” shared Sarcev.
“He did everything right,” Sarcev added.
Cuter Says Lunsford ‘Fuc**ng Demolished’ Everyone at 2023 Mr. Olympia With Back Double Biceps Pose
Cutler believes Lunsford rightfully won 2023 Mr. Olympia and said he achieved the feat with an exceptional back double biceps pose.
“Look at that, I mean stop it right there for a second. What did I say in the podcast prior to this. The show is done from any pose after this guys… forget it. You’re so – this is just so dominating, I mean come on guys look at him next to Samson, I mean Milos you train Samson but come on. I know it’s one pose,” shared Cutler.
“No. He fucking demolishes everyone in this shot [back double biceps],” said Cutler. “Are you really going to question the legs, look at the condition with enough size.”
He smokes Hadi in this. He smokes Samson. Samson looks like an amateur next to him in this pose.”
“Derek won first, second, and third place in the back double biceps. This is what got him the Mr. Olympia, the back double biceps,” explained Sarcev.
Just a few days before stepping on stage, Brandon Curry was rushed to the hospital for esophagus ulcers. Despite the setback, he still finished fifth on the Olympia stage. Manager Matt mentioned that he went 30 hours fasted before competing.
“Let’s talk about Brandon Curry. He faced some challenges going in. He wound up in fourth place. What did you think about Bradnon’s look from the past?” asks Cutler.“I loved Brandon’s physique, always did. I got pictures from Abdullah about 10 days out and he looked fantastic it was just a question if he was going to bring the legs from the front and from the back because from the size is ridiculous. I think 24 hours in the hospital really drained him and depleted him, dehydrated him, and it made him look smaller.”“He had to fast because they had ulcers in his esophagus, so he didn’t eat for over 30 hours,” Manager Matt clarified.
Watch the full video from the Cutler Cast Podcast below:
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