Bodybuilding veterans are breaking down how they see the sport’s biggest event unfolding next weekend, and that includes Lee Priest. In a recent YouTube video shared on October 1, 2024, Priest explained why he hates predictions and then proceeded to offer his top six Men’s Open picks for the marquee event in no particular order.
Joe Weider’s annual Olympia Fitness & Performance Weekend is about to celebrate its 60th anniversary in Las Vegas, Nevada, October 10-13. There are only nine days until bodybuilding’s finest athletes go head-to-head, all vying for the coveted Sandow trophy, which will be doused in gold for this monumental occasion.
While the event will cover all 11 divisions, the Men’s Open category has undoubtedly caught the attention of fans and connoisseurs of the sport alike. The Open’s lineup has a packed roster of talent, including the current two-division champion Derek Lunsford and the former 2022 titleholder Hadi Choopan. When these two finally meet on stage, sparks will certainly fly.
However, Lunsford and Choopan aren’t the only threats in the Men’s Open. Last year, Samson Dauda secured a third-place finish on the prestigious stage. Using the momentum he gained on the Olympia stage, Dauda racked up several wins, including his latest victory at the 2024 Tsunami Pro. Having just competed, Dauda could have earned an advantage by allowing him to dial in his physique. Though, only time will tell if this is true.
Now, this is the Olympia, so let’s not forget the freak factor, which Nick Walker has in spades. After being sidelined from the 2023 Mr. Olympia due to a hamstring and calf tear, Walker is coming in hungry to make the ultimate comeback. However, as fans saw on the 2024 New York Pro stage, Martin Fitzwater could again give Walker a run for his money.
Lee Priest Gives Opinion on Men’s Open Lineup at 2024 Mr. Olympia, Shares His Top 6 Picks
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With so many talents to consider, hedging your bets can be a difficult task, albeit one that bodybuilder Lee Priest was certainly up to. However, Priest revealed that he doesn’t like making predictions due to the level of sensitivity some of the athletes have.
“People get upset when you place them somewhere they are so sensitive, big muscular men are all like ‘Ohh, he said I was going to place,’ who gives a fuck where I said I’m going to place you.”
“It means fuck all. It’s how you look on the day of the show so if you get placed low, don’t worry about my Olympia fucking predictions, actually, you fuckers should be training that hard. You shouldn’t be worried about Olympia predictions.”
Despite his dislike for predictions, Lee Priest still went on to give his thoughts regarding the top bodybuilders in the Men’s Open, which you can find below.
Lee Priest’s Top 6 Men’s Open Picks In No Order
- Hadi Choopan
- Derek Lunsford
- Samson Dauda
- Andrew Jacked
- Nick Walker
- Martin Fitzwater
Lee Priest shared his opinions regarding the athletes, specifically zeroing in on the top three competitors as well as Nick Walker.
“Derek Lunsford, Hadi, Samson, now… if we’re going from past things right there, Derek, Hadi, Samson, you’re probably going to be looking at the top three right there. Nick Walker, yes, fantastic. People say he’s blocky but for the size and mass he has, he’s got a small waist. I don’t hold that against him.”
While he believes Nick Walker brings a well-rounded physique overall, he doesn’t think it will hold weight against Choopan, Lunsford, and Dauda.
“When you’re looking at Hadi and Derek and Samson’s symmetry and structure, then apples and oranges. I know people say that and I hate saying that but it is. It’s going to be hard even though Nick is freaky and has all that size and that, but it’s going to be hard to beat those.”
Outside of the top three, Lee Priest touches on some of the wild cards that could come into play this October.
“We can’t count out Brandon Curry. Beautiful shape, nice mass, people go on about his legs, yeah maybe compared to Ramy his legs are down but if you see him in person he doesn’t have fucking small legs okay? So Brandon Curry could still mix it up. Akim Williams, another mass monster, and then you got Martin” said Priest.
“You got to remember, Martin was up against Nick, Martin can be in the top six. Bonac, you can’t count him out he could be there. John Delarosa there’s another guy anyway between six and eight I could see John Delarosa. There’s so many good physiques this time.”
Priest also acknowledges Hunter Labrada, however, he doesn’t see him making it into the top six with the current lineup.
“John Jewett, like I said, it’s going to be a good lineup and like I said it’s going to be so good. You got Hunter Labrada, I don’t know if I see Hunter in the top six now I’m not saying he’s not good but I just think with the others you got there, you know maybe, Hunter and Nick could fight it out but then you got Martin there too and Andrew Jacked we can’t forget that.
With only nine days until the 2024 Mr. Olympia, fans don’t have to wait much longer to see the Men’s Open’s best face-off in their attempts to be crowned the champion. While Lee Priest made valid points regarding the top three contenders, it is anyone’s game when they take the stage in Las Vegas, Nevada, on October 10-13. Be sure to follow us here at Fitness Volt so you don’t miss any of the action!
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