Fan anticipation for the 2024 Mr. Olympia contest is reaching new levels, thanks to a special workout collaboration by the Olympia TV YouTube channel. With approximately four months until the 2024 Mr. Olympia show, Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, and Samson Dauda pushed each other through a brutal chest workout.
The Sandow trophy will be fought for once again this October. Olympia President Dan Solomon revealed that the historic event will celebrate its 60th anniversary at the luxurious Resort’s World in Las Vegas, Nevada. At the prestigious event last year in Orlando, Florida, Derek Lunsford emerged as the sport’s first-ever two-division Mr. Olympia winner.
Meanwhile, Nick Walker watched from the sidelines in a wheelchair. Days before having the chance to compete, ‘The Mutant’ sustained tears to his hamstring and calf, which prevented him from walking. He recently won the New York Pro to grant his entry for the 2024 Mr. Olympia. Considering Walker has placed as high as third at the marquee event (2022), fans expect him to be a factor this time around.
Samson Dauda has surged in the Open with muscle volume, stature, and his ability to improve quickly. He last took third at the 2023 Olympia contest. In his last two outings, he earned silver behind Hadi Choopan. Bodybuilding veterans believe if Dauda nails his conditioning, he could easily contend for gold.
Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, and Samson Dauda Push Past Their Limits With 2024 Mr. Olympia Battle Workout
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Walker, Dauda, and Lunsford provided 2024 Mr. Olympia prep updates before starting the workout.
“I feel great you know, just coming off a victory. I’m ready to show these guys what’s up and take the title come 19 weeks baby,” says Walker.
“I’m feeling really good man. It’s nice to be here. I’m enjoying the boys and yeah, we going to give y’all a show. Man, [I train] as heavy as it takes. That’s all that matters.”
“I feel great. It’s been a great year,” adds Lunsford. “Here we are in Phoenix, Arizona for the Olympia Battle and we’re 19 weeks out from the Olympia so it’s go-time baby.”
Quick Breakdown of the 2024 Mr. Olympia Chest Battle Workout
- Incline Bench Press Hammer Strength Machine
- Incline Smith Machine Bench Press
- Incline Chest Fly Machine
- Hammer Strenght Chest Press Machine
- Cable Fly Machine
- Standing Dumbbell Lateral Raise
- Reverse Cable Crossover
Incline Bench Press Hammer Strength Machine
The boys warmed up on the incline bench press hammer strength machine, with Walker being the first to raise the weight. Bodybuilding veteran Chris Cormier provided body queues and encouragement during their sets.
Incline Smith Machine Bench Press
Samson Dauda hopped on the incline Smith machine bench press, taking the time to properly adjust before he asked to have three 45-pound plates stacked on each side. Walker asks if they want to raise the weight or decrease it, and they unanimously agree to keep it the same for the final set.
“Try and stop me, you can’t,” Lunsford tells Walker.
“Come on Derek, you’re Mr. O right? You’re Mr. O, right? Show me why. Show me why.”
Incline Chest Fly Machine
They move into incline chest fly machine sets and carefully squeeze each contraction slowly.
“The question is, why would you help your competition? Why would you train with these guys? Why would you push each other? Because we all want to bring our best and we want to go up against each other’s best. That’s why,” says Lunsford.
Hammer Strength Chest Press Machine
Cormier guides Dauda, Walker, and Lunsford over to the hammer strength chest press machine. Walker pushes to failure during his last set.
“I think I’m winning this battle,” remarks Lunsford.
Judge Terrick El Guindy previews the training session, offering insight into Walker’s freakish size.
“He’s [Nick Walker] is so intense I’m scared Tim. These guys are lifting heavy, they are very intense. Nick Walker will be the first one to take off his shirt. That’s always his strategy to intimidate some of the other competitors. And I want to see who is scared to take off their shirt, if Samson is scared or Nick Walker is scared.”
“Look at the size, he [Nick Walker] can breastfeed Africa with these,” El Guindy said pointing to Walker’s pecs.
Cable Fly Machine
The cable fly machine was next on their list, with Walker stealing the show going to near failure.
“Every house is my house,” Walker shared.
In a conversation off camera, Derek Lunsford discussed what he thinks of Walker and Dauda ahead of the 2024 Mr. Olympia competition.
“No, but you don’t like that? To think that these guys are battling here for third and I’m here, unless you want me to I will.”
“Take off your shirt, and say I’m Mr. Olympia,” says El Guindy.
Initially, Lunsford didn’t want to remove his shirt but had a change of heart.
“I mean the reason for not doing it is just I’m thinking marketing in my head. Thinking about doing it, because we just did it at the Pittsburgh Pro and I don’t know what you thought but I thought that was a good showing for myself in front of these guys. So we just did it a couple of weeks ago. We’re in the gym, it’s different lighting, it’s a different kind of thing to where it brings it closer in in terms of like the look. So it’s like look, you guys already know.”
“No. Derek, I need you to take off the shirt,” said Guindy. “You’re Mr. Olympia.”
Standing Dumbbell Lateral Raise
Dauda, Lunsford, and Walker transition to standing dumbbell lateral raises next. Then, they take off their pump covers for an impromptu posing session.
Reverse Cable Crossover
To finish off the workout, they performed sets of reverse cable crossovers.
With the 2024 Mr. Olympia approaching, bodybuilding veterans have been highly intrigued by the potential Open lineup. Former four-time champion Jay Cutler assessed the top threats, labeling Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Samson Dauda as his three ‘kings.’
This workout served as an excellent preview for what’s to come at the historic Mr. Olympia contest in October. Who do you believe won this Olympia battle workout?
Watch the full video from the Olympia TV YouTube channel below:
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