It’s been a freefall from grace for the former Mr. Olympia winner Derek Lunsford. In a recent YouTube video aired on October 27, 2024, bodybuilding veterans Dennis James and Lee Priest opened up on why Lunsford lost his title and took third place on the prestigious stage. They also revealed why Andrew Jacked is Samson Dauda’s only threat to winning a second Olympia title.
The 2024 Mr. Olympia contest was full of shock and awe moments. Although fans expected Lunsford’s signature back double biceps pose to garner him a second victory, Samson Dauda spoiled those plans. ‘The Nigerian Lion’ closed the door with career-best conditioning and expert posing. Hadi Choopan finished runner-up.
With Lunsford taking bronze, questions surrounding his performance have been raised. According to his coach, Hany Rambod, Lunsford’s physique showed imbalances, particularly in front-to-back symmetry and in the size disparity between his upper and lower body.
Dennis James, Lee Priest Say Andrew Jacked Is Samson Dauda’s Only Challenger, Discuss Derek Lunsford’s 2024 Mr. Olympia Showing: ‘His Balance Was Off’
Not only was Lunsford’s balance off at Mr. Olympia, but Dennis James said this issue made him appear ‘top-heavy.’
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“It was even more obvious this year that his balance was not really right, it was off. His balance was off. He was top-heavy. But he’s been top-heavy. Now, he’s gotten bigger on top but his legs didn’t really come up. So, now his waist looked wider,” said Dennis James.
James shared that Lunsford ‘went backwards’ at the event’s 60th anniversary, adding that his symmetry essentially disappeared.
“It doesn’t matter what workout he does. I’m talking about his physique. We talk about Derek’s symmetry last year and the year before. We can’t speak about this at this moment because right now, he went backwards.”
“He looked like an hourglass last year. This year he looked like a mushroom,” said Lee Priest.
In Lee Priest’s opinion, Derek Lunsford lacks the same type of wow factor that competitors were known for during his era in the 1990s and 2000s.
“We were spoiled back in the day with Kevin, and Chris, and Flex, we sound like old-timers or back in my day. But it seemed like back then, so many people had that wow factor. To be Mr. Olympia when you saw Dorian, Ronnie, or Phil, they all had that wow factor. Nothing taking away from Derek, but I look at Derek and go okay he’s great but I don’t get that wow.”
“Derek looks great but he doesn’t have that sort of when you saw the lineup back then, you had Kevin or even Shawn, he wasn’t the biggest but when he came in condition, he should have had an Olympia there. But, there just seem to be just so many wow factors back in our time compared to now.”
In light of Andrew Jacked’s shape, aesthetics, and stature, Dennis James contends that he’s the only true challenger to Dauda’s throne.
“I think Andrew is the only one that can challenge Samson. If Samson is put together every time now, he’s not going to be beat by any of those guys, the only one that can really do it is Andrew,” explains Dennis James.
Paul Dilette believes that Jacked has height, calves, legs, and arms, but lacks energy when he’s on the Olympia stage.
“When you look at him, he has the height, he has calves, he has legs, he has bis, tris, listen, the only thing I find with him is his energy. The way he comes out on stage, he looks like he doesn’t want to be there,” shares Paul Dilette.
The bodybuilding world never sleeps and competitors have already turned their attention to the next blockbuster show on the horizon. In March, the 2025 Arnold Classic will return to Columbus, Ohio where the Men’s Open winner will be guaranteed a life-changing $500,000 payday. Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler believes at this juncture, Lunsford and Choopan should sit out of the Arnold Classic.
As the number one bodybuilder in the world, Samson Dauda now has the largest target on his back out of any competitor. Contenders will have the opportunity to size him up soon because Dauda has already announced his participation in the upcoming 2025 Arnold Classic.
Watch the full video from the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel below:
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