The 2025 Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio, wrapped up with a new champion crowned in the Open class. On March 2, 2025, bodybuilding coach Chris Aceto broke down Derek Lunsford’s winning formula and revealed the four names he believes could claim the Mr. Olympia crown later this year.
All eyes were on reigning Mr. Olympia Samson Dauda heading into the Arnold Classic. He garnered comparisons to former eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman thanks to his size and freaky fullness. However, Dauda was up against Lunsford, who teamed up with coach Aceto to bring his absolute best to the stage.
Lunsford displayed notable improvements in conditioning, paired with fuller, more detailed legs—addressing two key weaknesses that contributed to his third-place finish at Olympia. With momentum back on his side, Aceto discussed what lies ahead at the 2025 Mr. Olympia, set for October 9-12 in Las Vegas.
Chris Aceto Reveals 4 Names Who Can Win 2025 Mr. Olympia, Explains Why Derek Lunsford Beat Samson Dauda at Arnold Classic
In a recent YouTube video, Aceto confirmed that this was the best Derek Lunsford had ever looked.
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“It’s like a rhetorical question [is this the best Lunsford has ever looked?] it’s not even the same person who won the Olympia when he won the Olympia. He will tell you that, not me.”
Not only were his legs bigger, but his abs showed improvement, and his pecs and shoulders displayed sharp striations. Aceto said Lunsford appeared like he took two off-seasons to add mass to his frame.
“His legs were bigger than ever. His condition was far better than it’s been. He’s never had a line in his pecs, and they were striated.
He’s never had a line in his delt, he’s never had abs. Those are like if you want to compare him to his win at the Olympia, it’s like he took two off-seasons and got the best anabolic stack and let the dice roll.”
As for Dauda, Aceto believes he was bigger and rounder than what he showcased at Olympia.
“Samson was big, just as hard as he was at the Olympia, and he was bigger than the Olympia. That was a thoughtful play because that’s what won him the Olympia and he came in here even bigger, beefier, rounder.
If that’s what’s winning shows for you, you continue to do what’s your formula, what’s effective for you. In this case, it’s size, and he obviously has a ton.”
Looking ahead, Aceto suggests four athletes could plausibly win the Mr. Olympia in 2025: Derek Lunsford, Samson Dauda, Hadi Choopan, and Andrew Jacked.
“I’m framing that because when you ask me I mean I think Derek can win the Olympia, I think Samson can win the Olympia, I think Andrew can win the Olympia, and I think Hadi can win the Olympia. Depending on how they come into the show, those four can absolutely win the Olympia,” shared Aceto.
He predicted the next Mr. Olympia will be ‘the best of all time.’
“It’s going to the best of all time because there’s – minus out Derek, right? Minus out Derek, Samson would have won. Minus out Derek in this condition, he would have ended up third if he was in his Olympia condition. Andrew would have beaten him easy.”
In light of Lunsford’s triumph, talks of Dauda’s possible Olympia dynasty are losing steam. With four viable names gunning for the Sandow trophy in October, the Open class has never been more unpredictable. Fans should get an even clearer idea of who will be in the running for gold at the prestigious event when the Pittsburgh Pro guest posing event kicks off in mid-May.
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