The sport’s most prestigious title is up for grabs when the Mr. Olympia makes its return. In a YouTube video from June 1, 2026, Men’s Physique standout Kyron Holden shared his top six Open predictions ahead of the event.
At the 2025 Mr. Olympia, Derek Lunsford made history. In addition to completing his ‘Triple Crown’ goal, he became the first bodybuilder since Jay Cutler to reclaim the Sandow trophy after losing it onstage. Boasting one of the widest backs the sport has seen, Lunsford’s rear poses have given him an edge over his rivals.
While Lunsford and fellow frontrunner Samson Dauda took off-seasons, Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea carried on. He won three shows back-to-back, including the Romania Pro, Arnold Classic Ohio, and UK competitions. As a result, he’s quickly become one of Lunsford’s greatest threats. On top of that, there’s evident bad blood between the two.
During the annual Mr. Olympia battle workout, Lunsford told Jacked he’d never win the Mr. Olympia. Tensions flared, yet talk around Dauda has been quiet. He’s supersized his physique to over 350 pounds, leading some to predict he could win back his title. With less than four months before the show kicks off, Holden envisioned how it would unfold.
Kyron Holden’s Top 6 Men’s Open Predictions for the 2026 Mr. Olympia
Find his predictions from the video below:
- Derek Lunsford
- Hadi Choopan
- Samson Dauda
- Andrew Jacked
- Nick Walker (if he qualifies)
- Martin Fitzwater
The 2026 Mr. Olympia will also see Hadi Choopan back in action. The former 2022 Mr. Olympia aims for redemption after losing to Nick Walker and Jacked at the 2026 Arnold Classic. To ensure he brings his all-time best this season, Choopan has joined forces with coaching legend Milos Sarcev. “The Mind” has already revealed that back tightness and a fuller chest might be enough for Choopan to reclaim the crown.
Martin Fitzwater is another wildcard who could find himself fighting in the first callout. Fitzwater took fourth at the Mr. Olympia in 2025 and beat Dauda at the recent Prague Pro. However, his momentum took a hit after he secured a pair of fourth-place finishes at the 2026 Arnold Classic and UK contests. “The Martian” confirmed he will be in attendance and has set his sights on making a statement. Meanwhile, whether Nick Walker attempts to qualify remains in question.
The Men’s Open division continues to serve as one of the most competitive in the IFBB Pro League. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
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