Talks surrounding whether or not Derek Lunsford will retain his Mr. Olympia title are raging on. The latest to attack the question are Jay Cutler and Milos Sarcev, who discussed his future and compared his muscle to the three-dimensional fullness of bodybuilding legend Phil Heath.
Fans are excited to witness history at the 2024 Mr. Olympia showdown coming this October. In celebration of the organization’s 60th anniversary, the reigning Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford will aim to cement his legacy with a title defense. However, he will face a group of determined contenders who plan to stake their claim as the best in the world.
Jay Cutler, Milos Sarcev Talk Pittsburgh Guest Posing, Compare Derek Lunsford’s ‘3D’ Muscle to Phil Heath’s
Lunsford is trained by Hany Rambod, who also guided Phil Heath during his successful Mr. Olympia reign. Having dominated the Open class for seven years, Heath’s voluminous muscle and freak factor were potent weapons. Cutler, who faced Heath at the height of his powers, believes Lunsford comes close to his three-dimensional muscle fullness.
After Derek Lunsford’s impressive display at the 2024 Pittsburgh Pro guest posing, Jay Cutler and Milos Sarcev took to YouTube to discuss his improvements leading into this year’s Mr. Olympia.
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“Does Derek repeat Mr. Olympia?” asks Jay Cutler. “Pretty handily, right? You would expect him to be the frontrunner, right?”
“First impression from everybody, ‘Oh my God,’ he stole the show. He stole every Pittsburgh guest posing in the last three years,” says Sarcev.
When Cutler asks if Lunsford has improved, Sarcev compares him to Nick Walker, whom he thought would outsize him.
“But he’s improved right?” asks Cutler.
“I saw him next to Nick Walker and I was expecting Nick Walker to dominate him with size… and he didn’t,” says Sarcev.
“When we were dissecting this before and you said if Nick competed and he was put next to those two guys he would just crush them with the size and now from video footage, even though master of out-angling everybody Mr. Olympia Derek, in a few instances, he was ahead,” Sarcev reveals.
Sarcev also made mention of the substantial improvements Lunsford made to his legs both in terms of size and separation.
“Derek was criticized before for smaller legs, right? He improved by last year. Then, now, they are looking ridiculous. Even though last year and two years ago, in off-season, his legs were so much bigger but then by the contest it shrinks down a little bit. So that’s one factor you have to consider.”
“Crazy separation, crazy shape,” adds Sarcev. “Derek’s strength is shape and width.”
Jay Cutler argued Lunsford would only need six weeks to achieve his ‘top shape.’
“Dude, six weeks and he can be in top shape,” adds Cutler. “The lat spread and back double, another level.”
Sarcev also acknowledged that Derek Lunsford’s muscle fullness is beginning to resemble Phil Heath’s, who was known for his three-dimensional look.
“Dude, his side chest is looking like Phil’s at this point. It’s starting to get that Phil Heath 3-D look.”
“The size is there,” says Sarcev.
Cutler emphasizes that there is no way Lunsford will be able to improve his abs dramatically before the 2024 Mr. Olympia, leaving room for Hadi Choopan to steal some points.
“His abs have improved,” adds Cutler. “He’s not going to have in a year’s time the best abs. No, it’s just not going to happen.”
“We saw Hadi come in March just clean house, right? This is going to be one hell of a showdown. I still believe you’re looking at — no one else I saw on that stage looks to rival those two guys.”
Hadi Choopan went 2-0 this bodybuilding season after losing his title to Lunsford last November. He won the 2024 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK shows dominantly. With the ‘Persian Wolf’ out for revenge and contenders like Nick Walker eager for redemption, Lunsford will encounter some intense challenges ahead.
Fans can look forward to watching what is sure to be an explosive weekend this October in Las Vegas, Nevada at the 2024 Mr. Olympia. The question remains, will it be Derek Lunsford who emerges victorious?
To watch the full video click the link below:
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