It’s almost time for the world’s best Open competitors to collide at the annual Mr. Olympia competition. In a recent Rx Muscle YouTube video shared on October 1, 2024, King Kamali (real name: Shahriar Kamali) gave his opinion on Derek Lunsford battling Hadi Choopan on the grand stage. Additionally, he revealed that Andrew Jacked and Nick Walker have the potential to shock the world with a victory.
The fight to become the 19th man to hold the Sandow trophy is on and athletes are aiming to bring their all-time best to the prestigious stage. Derek Lunsford won the Open Mr. Olympia in 2023 against his teammate, former 2022 titleholder Hadi Choopan. Given how close their encounter was, many fans believe it could come down to these two juggernauts next weekend.
However, the Open lineup is packed with threats who are eager to assert their dominance, such as Nick Walker, who won the 2024 New York Pro for a second ring earlier in the season. He intends to bounce back after sustaining a hamstring and calf tear last year.
Additionally, fan attention has swirled around the new and improved supersized Andrew Jacked. Boasting an aesthetic 300-pound physique, the Nigerian native could easily find himself contending for gold when the curtains rise in Las Vegas, Nevada from October 10-13.
King Kamali Says He Can ‘Feel’ Derek Lunsford’s Stress About Hadi Choopan Battle at 2024 Mr. Olympia
Although Derek Lunsford has an ironclad back with no weaknesses, the same can’t be said for his side and front shots, argues King Kamali.
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“Derek’s number one problem is he got lucky last year because Hadi was off, Samson didn’t have the back to beat him, that’s why he won the Mr. Olympia but can he get as hard from the front as he is from the side and especially from the back? That’s the issue, that’s the main question with Derek,” explains King Kamali.
In a direct comparison between Lunsford and Choopan, King Kamali suggested that the reigning champion might win the side chest pose. He also said their side triceps comparison will be ‘close.’
“Side chest maybe, side tricep, it’s close [between Hadi Choopan and Derek Lunsford]. My point is if that Hadi shows up that we saw at the Arnold Classic. This is the problem.
That’s what Derek’s been hearing for a year. His cortisol is going through the roof, his stress is going through the roof because everybody is saying if that Hadi shows up. I feel that stress. I can see it in his face when they post the videos of them training together. The way he looks at Hadi.”
Iron sharpens iron, so King Kamali believes Choopan and Lunsford training together will likely benefit both parties.
“Of course, it’s going to help when you’re training with someone who you think is your number one rival. You’re going to have that fire, you’re going to get in there and you’re going to have little battles in the gym, that’s all great and dandy but everyone always talks about the genius and the positive aspects of Hany Rambod’s coaching.”
According to Kamali, Choopan’s and Lunsford’s coach Hany Rambod has one weakness, which is that his two pupils can’t be beaten by anyone other than each other.
“And he’s a great coach no doubt but he has one weakness: his one weakness is he really truly believes that Derek and Hadi are now one and two, nobody can beat these two, that is a weakness.”
He refused to count out the X-factor of Nick Walker or the surging Andrew Jacked, who could easily sway the judges and crowd with their patented freak factor.
“I want to see Nick Walker. Nick is the X-factor here. Nick has shots that can beat these guys and it’s going to make people be like wait a second what’s going on here? That’s what I’m looking forward to and Andrew!
These are the two guys that are going to be thrown in there and it’s going to make people think what the hell is going on?”
Bodybuilders from the IFBB Pro League are continuing to break down the action and offer their top picks ahead of the event. As of late, former four-time Men’s Physique Olympia Jeremy Buendia revealed his top picks for Men’s Physique, Classic Physique, and the Men’s Open divisions.
With such a stacked lineup, predicting who could emerge victorious has never been more challenging for those within the bodybuilding community. Don’t miss the 2024 Mr. Olympia contest next weekend! Fitness Volt will have live coverage of the prejudging and finals.
Watch the full video from the RxMuscle YouTube channel below:
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