Judge Terrick El Guindy isn’t overlooking Derek Lunsford ahead of his title defense. In a June 26 YouTube video, he fired back against criticism of Lunsford and emphasized that there will never be a perfect Mr. Olympia champion.
2025 was Lunsford’s year. He achieved the unlikely ‘Triple Crown,’ laying claim to wins at the Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr. Olympia. While Lunsford took an off-season to make improvements, Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea was just getting started.
Jacked claimed gold at the 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio and UK shows, securing $1 million in less than a month. When he met Lunsford for the annual Olympia Battle workout, their rivalry heated up. Lunsford told Jacked he’d never win the Olympia, which prompted a tense exchange. Looking ahead, El Guindy addressed criticism of Lunsford and why it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny.
Terrick El Guindy Responds to Derek Lunsford Critics, Says There Will Never Be a Perfect Mr. Olympia
Speaking on Prime Time Muscle, El Guindy warned against counting Lunsford out ahead of the Olympia.
“I’m going to tell you this: a lot of people are talking about Samson Dauda coming in as big as ever. And Andrew has improved; I think his back double biceps now might be the second best to Derek Lunsford. Prepare yourselves to watch a Derek Lunsford that can beat these guys again.”
El Guindy believes history could repeat itself and that hype trains are often derailed at the biggest show of the year:
“I love the hype. I think Samson can be Mr. Olympia. I think Andrew Jacked can be Mr. Olympia but as a judge, I’ve seen plenty of hype in my life, and then I witnessed somebody that was the champion deliver onstage why he is the champion,” shared Terrick El Guindy.
In response to comments about Lunsford’s lackluster biceps and chest, El Guindy fired back, sharing that there will never be a perfect Mr. Olympia champion.
“As soon as this guy wins the Olympia, you’re going to forget about how great his biceps are, and you’re going to say we don’t like his lats. Well, every bodybuilder, Ronnie Coleman – he didn’t have great abs, right? People say Ronnie doesn’t have great abs… he had everything else great. There’s never going to be a perfect Mr. Olympia.”
“It’s time for us to give his credit. Are his biceps the best biceps at the Olympia stage? No. I would say his biceps are above average, that’s it. They are not great. Samson has better biceps. Andrew has better biceps, but I’m here to tell you, he’s got one of the best backs in the world.”
According to El Guindy, the Lunsford-Jacked rivalry is ‘100% authentic.’ He added that Lunsford’s muscle density could be the difference-maker when he steps back onstage.
“Derek Lunsford has the density to beat guys that are taller, more aesthetically pleasing, just like Dorian Yates did, beating Shawn Ray, beating Flex Wheeler. Derek Lunsford is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time.”
Criticism aside, El Guindy likes Lunsford’s chances moving forward. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is scheduled for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:
