IFBB Pro Flex Lewis once dominated the Men’s 212 Bodybuilding division but has now shifted his focus to other ventures in retirement. In his latest endeavor, he joined Ron Harris on August 23, 2024, to discuss the frontrunners of this year’s Mr. Olympia contest, breaking down the chances of success for Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, Samson Dauda, Andrew Jacked, Nick Walker, and Brandon Curry.
All eyes are on the Men’s Open category, which is packing an impressive lineup ahead of the 2024 Mr. Olympia. Naturally, the rivalry between two-division champion Derek Lunsford and former Olympia Hadi Choopan is sparking interest among fans. However, other big names in the Open category aren’t being overlooked.
Samson Dauda came in third place at the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Since then, he has been pushing to improve his physique to ensure he returns even stronger this year. Considering his success at the 2023 EVLS Prague Pro and second-place finishes at the 2024 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK, it is clear his hard work hasn’t been in vain. Since competing earlier this year, Dauda has parted ways with his coach Milos Sarcev, leaving fans eager to see what will change.
Another name catching attention this bodybuilding season is Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea. As a somewhat new competitor to hit the scene, his freakish muscle mass has left fans stunned. His recent win at the 2024 Texas Pro only cemented his ability to be a threat within the Open category, leaving several individuals, including his coach Chris Aceto, believing he could win the Olympia this October.
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As previously stated, the Men’s Open roster is brimming with athletes primed and ready to snatch the throne right out from under Derek Lunsford. None more than Nick Walker, who is finally getting a chance at redemption after being sidelined last year from a torn calf and hamstring. There is doubt throughout the bodybuilding community after he barely skirted into first place at the 2024 New York Pro, having won by only one point against Martin Fitzwater.
Of course, there is also the former Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry. After being hospitalized right before the 2023 Mr. Olympia, Curry earned a fourth-place finish on the prestigious stage. This year, he is determined to regain the title and the coveted Sandow Trophy.
Flex Lewis Discusses The Chances of Success For Men’s Open’s Top Competitors at 2024 Mr. Olympia
Lewis’ Tentative Top 4
- Derek Lunsford/Hadi Choopan
- Andrew Jacked/Samson Dauda
Wanting to unpack all the talent inside the Men’s Open category, Ron Harris and IFBB Pro Flex Lewis discussed how the men mentioned above might fare on the 2024 Mr. Olympia stage in just a few short weeks. They of course start with the current Mr. Olympia champion Derek Lunsford and his rival Hadi Chooopan.
“The scarier version of Hadi next to the best version of Derek… that is a bananas comparison. And to your point, there’s weak points on both athletes, and then there’s incredible strong points on both athletes.
It’s just going to go down to them in my eyes. It’s no disrespect against the other guys I just think that they are at a little bit of a different level.”
Lewis believes it will come down to who showcases the best version of themselves.
“It’s going to be who brings that best version? I know it kind of sounds cliche, but we can all see, I’ve been watching both these guys training. Both of them are hungry. Both of them are training hard and heavy and both of them are zoned in.”
Lewis goes on to discuss Andrew Jacked, who could potentially steal the show at the 2024 Mr. Olympia.
“He was at a good 300 pounds or 290-something maybe, obviously you can see what he looks like on the stage right now. He made the improvements. He had his off-season which he never really had before. This guy now truly believes that he could be a frontrunner in any show he competes in.”
“At the Mr. Olympia, is he going to be the shock of the show? Or is he going to fall in that top five. I feel one of Andrew’s kryptonites is his condition because he has all that muscle all that beautiful flow and if he can just marry that into a crazy cartoon physique for the Mr. Olympia, then I think that third place is his.”
However, Andrew Jacked has Samson Dauda to contend with and Flex Lewis isn’t counting the UK native out.
“But again, Samson is another beast. Again, I’ve seen this guy from fan of the expo to Mr. Olympia stage. Truly a remarkable story. He has his ups and downs but that’s the motivation for him to be where he’s at. He’s tasted victory.
He knows he has a shot at winning the Mr. Olympia. Has he made the improvements to push any of those top two guys? I don’t know. I think it’s more going to be him and Andrew in that third spot.”
When discussing the Men’s Open’s top talents, Nick Walker has to be a part of the conversation considering his sheer freak factor.
“He is a freak of freaks. Coming from the fanbase of the 90s and following the guys there, what was bodybuilding without the freaks? The Markus Ruhl’s, all these guys back then that served a massive part of my magazine days were some of the biggest guys that I looked up to. Nothing that I could attain, not my physique, but the freaks bring that it factor to bodybuilding. Nick Walker is that guy.”
“I would love to see Nick back in the mix and get up there in spots,” said Lewis.
“With Nick, I’ve seen him come back from that hamstring injury, that devastated him that week of the Olympia. And of course, it’s very hard to run from that when you’re around fans and everyone wants to see you on stage. And he was so close. There’s nothing worse in my eyes to be that close to something and have it ripped away.”
Last but certainly not least, Lewis spoke up about Brandon Curry and the disrespect he has received as a former Mr. Olympia champion.
“Brandon is an absolutely incredible champion. I truly think that he’s probably one of the most disrespected ones too because it’s not like Brandon has done anything not to get this love. He’s just not on anybody’s radar yet he is always in the mix.”
Flex Lewis points out that in the past, Curry was lacking when it comes to his legs.
“He was very, again, steadfast on his goal to become Mr. Olympia. I remember the years of being in Tennesee and training around him, his name was always disrespected on the bulletin boards. He’s never going to win. He doesn’t have legs. He continued to fight through all that negativity and achieve the Mr. Olympia status.”
With just seven weeks until the 2024 Mr. Olympia, more influential figures in the bodybuilding community are sharing their predictions ahead of the event. This includes Dennis James, Milos Sarcev, and Justin Shier, who believe Hadi Choopan will earn his second Mr. Olympia title. Shawn Ray and Bob Cicherillo also shared who they think will be in the first callout, anticipating that Lunsford, Choopan, and Dauda will be among the names called first.
Only time will tell which Men’s Open athlete reigns supreme on the prestigious stage this October 10-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Be sure to follow us here at Fitness Volt to stay updated on all the latest action regarding the 2024 Mr. Olympia.
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