Samir Bannout once ruled the roost as the very best Open talent on the planet, but resides in retirement nowadays, offering his insight into the growing sport. In a recent YouTube video, Samir Bannout discussed Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan’s ‘major rivalry’ months from the 2024 Mr. Olympia competition.
No one could have predicted how the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest would conclude. In the end, Derek Lunsford, a former 212 Olympia titleholder, shined en route to securing the sport’s most prestigious title on the Mr. Olympia stage. After defeating his teammate Choopan for gold, Lunsford solidified his name in sporting history by becoming the first two-division Mr. Olympia champion.
Meanwhile, Choopan would later opt to enter the 2024 Arnold Classic, where he faced mass monster Samson Dauda. Following an epic battle in Columbus, Ohio, Choopan’s dry conditioning and thin waist secured him the major victory. Now, with added momentum, Choopan aims to snatch his title back from Lunsford this October.
Given the back and forth between Choopan and Lunsford, Samir Bannout explains below why their on-stage battles have culminated into one of the most intense rivalries of this bodybuilding era.
Samir Bannout Gives Early Break Down of Hadi Choopan vs Derek Lunsford Months from 2024 Mr. Olympia
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While he enjoys a friendship with both Open stars, Bannout underlined that Derek Lunsford’s ‘marble hard’ physique would be a challenging combination to deal with, for any bodybuilder.
“Look, the truth must be told. I am a very good friend with Hadi. We are always in contact, we talk. I love the guy he is a wonderful person but again I am friends with Derek too and I think Derek put together by god that combo he has is really incredible. I gotta tell you, if he comes in marble hard I’m not gonna say who is gonna win at that point.”
Bannout credited Choopan for his latest victory in Ohio, but underlined why Derek Lunsford is such a dangerous competitor:
“I know Hadi is riding high on the Arnold Classic and he was incredible and he was a slam dunk winner but listen, I’ve always felt Derek Is a dangerous bodybuilder. I voted personally, I voted for Hadi over Derek last time even though Derek won and I can see why the judges went with Derek.”
Considering how close the top two at Olympia have been for two years, Bannout is unsure who will win the next event.
“Derek has a pretty body let’s face it I mean he was slightly off. That wasn’t the Derek that I expected but when Derek comes in hard like a rock I’m not giving any decision on that bro. It is like eeny meeny miny moe.”
Regardless of who triumphs, Bannout accepts that Lunsford and Choopan share an intense rivalry.
“I don’t know. One of them is going to win. I love Derek’s body and Hadi is a badass I mean Hadi is a badass competitor, he’s rock hard, his personality, his powerful demeanor is like, it’s gonna be a major rivalry and I’m undecided 100 on who will come in shredded but it could go either way again. It could be either way.”
He also adds that Lunsford and Choopan share the same coach in Hany Rambod, making the dynamic between the two even more personal.
“Let’s not forget that they have the same coach and Hadi is working hard and I know that Derek is hungry and Derek is going to defend his title and I would like to see Derek improve his posing still. He needs to improve his posing but look at the shoulders, the roundness of his chest, man Derek is a deadly, dangerous guy. Don’t ever discount him from winning.”
“Nobody thought that Samir would be shredded in 83. I came in shredded. I got Lee Hany beaten. I got Frank Zane.”
Moving forward, Bannout’s advice to Lunsford for retaining his title would be dropping some weight and come in ‘etched to the bone.’
“I’ve given this message for Derek. For Derek to win, he has to sacrifice a little bit more weight. A little bit more size because he’s huge. He is huge. Size was never an issue but if he comes in etched to the bone… and peak right on the money… all bets are off for me.”
“Derek is a great bodybuilder man,” adds Bannout.
Samir Bannout hasn’t been the only notable voice within the bodybuilding community to discuss the competitive tension between Choopan and Lunsford. Recently, Olympia judge Terrick El Guindy gave his thoughts on the future showdown. In light of Choopan’s victory in Columbus, Ohio, El Guindy maintains that the Iranian native sent a ‘clear message’ to Lunsford, with plans to take his title.
Given the unpredictability of Mr. Olympia competitions, fans couldn’t be more excited to see the best Open competitors in the world wage war. Time will tell if Choopan can regain his title or if Lunsford can defend successfully.
To watch Samir Bannout’s full video, click the link below:
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