Competitors from the IFBB Pro League met for the highly anticipated 2024 Mr. Olympia press conference on October 10, 2024. With the sport’s biggest titles on the line from October 11-12 in Las Vegas, Nevada, fans got special access to witness their favorite athletes size each other up. Andrew Jacked, Samson Dauda, and Chris Bumstead stole the show.
2024 Mr. Olympia Press Conference Highlights: Andrew Jacked and Samson Dauda Confident As Ever
Celebrity Panel
- Fouad Abiad
- Ron Harris
- Lenda Murray
- Shawn Ray
- Terrick El Guindy
- John Romano
- Dennis James
To kick off the annual press conference for Mr. Olympia, reigning champion Derek Lunsford laid out how he approaches competing against taller competitors like Dauda and Jacked.
“Bodybuilding is you versus you. I think you know that as well as anybody right? We’re all given gifts and genetics of our own and I believe that we are what we got. For me, I’ve been able to like I said earlier, play with my strengths and also improve everything,” Lunsford said.
“I don’t think I need to be the dirtiest Derek on the mic with my words. I think I need to be the hardest worker in the gym and that’s what I’ve been doing since 2023,” said Lunsford.
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Andrew Jacked received a huge pop from the crowd of over 1,500 people, emphasizing that he would undoubtedly break some hearts on stage.
“There will be some heartbreaks this weekend. That’s what I know for sure,” said Andrew Jacked. “Everything has changed since Texas. Texas was a warm-up. Now we’re bringing in the real version. That’s why I said, this weekend I’ll break so many hearts. So let’s see.”
‘The Nigerian Lion’ assured the audience that he has something special in store for Friday night prejudging.
“You know what you saw me two weeks ago in France, well you’re about to see something special tomorrow night as well,” said Samson Dauda.
“For one thing, you see my face right? Does this look like a face of someone who hasn’t suffered this past prep?” asks Dauda. “You know what, what I’m going to say is we’re going to find out tomorrow night.”
Dauda challenged all competitors to stand against him on the presser stage, ripping his shirt off, though no one took him up on the offer.
“I’ve never been a man for talking it doesn’t work for me I’m always a man of action. If any man thinks he can take me out, step up to me right now,” said Dauda as he peeled off his shirt. “That’s why I deserve to be Mr. Olympia.”
Chris Bumstead Not Threatened by Ramon Queiroz or Wesley Vissers
Bumstead underlined that the top contenders are fighting for second place.
“I think you know the answer to that,” said Bumstead. “Every year it’s been someone different, it’s been Breon, it’s been Terrence, it’s been Urs, it’s been Wesley, and in my mind, they are still all battling for second. I would never be disrespectful and say it’s not a challenge.”
When asked if he was facing threats on stage Saturday, Bumstead quickly replied ‘absolutely not.’
“Is it [your fellow contenders] a threat? Absolutely not. But it’s always a challenge getting up here, being the best version of myself and it’s an honor to share the stage with all these people. I met Wesley back in 2018 I think at one of the Olympias and I remember his kindness and humility then. He’s risen a lot in the sport and it hasn’t changed since.”
According to Bumstead, his rivals may say they can win but when he looks them in the eyes, he said they don’t truly believe in those words.
“I’ve heard them all say they think they can win. When I look them all in the eye, I don’t believe they believe themselves when they say that,” said Cbum.
“You don’t need to believe me,” said Queiroz. “Believe in your work. I have [done] my work every day.”
Lastly, the reigning 212 Olympia champion Keone Pearson explained that he wasn’t overlooking Shaun Clarida ahead of their rematch.
“Last year was my 100 percent because that was my all-time best so far but this year will be 100 percent again. Last year, I was 199, this year, today, I was 205 with way harder condition and just more dense. Like I said, we had the perfect off-season and you guys are going to see that Friday tomorrow morning.”
What’s On Deck for the 2024 Mr. Olympia Weekend?
In 2023, Derek Lunsford won the Mr. Olympia contest against his teammate Hadi Choopan. Their rivalry has been brewing for months, with Choopan eager to exact his revenge. ‘The Persian Wolf’ decided to push forward instead of enjoying a lengthy off-season. He’s picked up major wins at the 2024 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK shows since dropping his Sandow trophy.
However, it’s certainly not a two-man show, as surging contenders Samson Dauda and Andrew Jacked are eager to do battle as the tallest competitors on the Open roster. In addition, former Olympia winner Brandon Curry is back in action along with other notable standouts like Rafael Brandao and Martin Fitzwater.
With the blockbuster event almost here, bodybuilding veterans have been open about their top picks and predictions. Dennis James and Milos Sarcev are backing Hadi Choopan to win back his Mr. Olympia title against Lunsford. Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler also recently unveiled his top seven picks for the Men’s Open division.
The 60th anniversary of Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend promises to deliver fireworks. Based on what happened at this year’s press conference, fans expect unpredictable showdowns in all 11 IFBB Pro League divisions heading into Friday and Saturday.
READ MORE:
- 2024 Mr. Olympia List of Qualified Athletes and Rules
- How to Watch 2024 Mr. Olympia Online (Livestream)
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