Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman still follows the sport in retirement. In a recent YouTube video, Coleman predicted Derek Lunsford will defeat Hadi Choopan when they rematch at the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest scheduled for November 2-5, in Orlando, Florida.
Coleman, who reigned over the Men’s Open division, amassed eight Mr. Olympia titles before calling it a career. He used every bit of his muscle mass and size to remain a dominant champion, having defeated some of his era’s best, like Jay Cutler, Flex Wheeler, and Kevin Levrone.
The Open class has undergone seismic shifts following two major contests. Last year, the 2022 Olympia competition awarded Hadi Choopan the victory after a close battle with 212-turned-Open star Derek Lunsford. Some in the sport such as Shawn Ray and Wheeler criticized Choopan’s victory, arguing that Lunsford’s back was more defined.
To complicate matters at the top of the Open class, sixth-place Olympia finisher Samson Dauda won the recent Arnold Classic. As a result of his performance, event announcer Bob Cicherillo named Dauda and Lunsford as equal threats to Choopan’s title in November.
Ronnie Coleman Predicts Derek Lunsford Defeats Hadi Choopan at 2023 Olympia, Says CBum’s Physique ‘Best He’s Ever Seen’
Coleman didn’t mince words during the ‘Ask Me Anything’ (AMA) segment and believes Derek Lunsford will defeat Choopan to become the 2023 Mr. Olympia.
“Yes, I do [think Derek Lunsford will 2023 Mr. Olympia]. Now, let’s see what’s going to happen,” said Ronnie Coleman.
During the AMA, Coleman also touched on four-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead‘s career and package. Despite competing in different divisions, Coleman says CBum has one of the best physiques he’s ever seen ‘period.’
“Well, I think Chris Bumstead is one of the greatest Classic bodybuilders of all time. Absolutely, the best physique I’ve ever seen in Classic Physique, he’s got to be the best physique I’ve ever seen period.”
Over the past few months, fans and even Chris Bumstead, have entertained the idea of a move into the Open class. In a recent The Truth Podcast with Hany Rambod, Bumstead hinted at a possible contest in 2024 and added that he’d compete at the Arnold Classic in the Open if organizers moved the show a few weeks after the Olympia.
Given Bumstead’s growing popularity (over 16.9M followers on Instagram), veterans of the sport like Levrone believe CBum’s physique ushered in a new era of aesthetics in Open bodybuilding. He credited Bumstead’s impact in Classic Physique for helping pave the way for other shapely athletes like Dauda and Andrew Jacked.
RELATED: Derek Lunsford Builds Huge Back and Biceps With Legend Ronnie Coleman
As for Lunsford, he’s remaining busy in the off-season with strenuous training sessions ahead of the Pittsburgh Pro guest posing show. Coleman is confident that the former 212 Olympia winner will have the tools to defeat Choopan and other contenders at the upcoming Olympia.
Watch the full video below, courtesy of Ronnie Coleman’s YouTube channel:
Published: 17 April, 2023 | 2:03 PM EDT
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