The bodybuilding calendar is set to heat up in just a few months, prompting veterans of the sport to discuss the future of the Men’s Open division. In the latest The Menace podcast, Dennis James, Milos Sarcev, and Terrick El Guindy opened up on Derek Lunsford’s posing strengths, weaknesses, and chances of jumping into the 2024 Arnold Classic.
Since Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay‘s shocking defeat at the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest, a new hierarchy formed with Hadi Choopan claiming the sport’s most prestigious crown. Although ‘The Persian Wolf’s’ conditioning made for a daunting challenge at the recent 2023 Mr. Olympia event, Derek Lunsford’s near-flawless back double biceps pose closed the show. This victory cemented his status as the first two-division Mr. Olympia winner.
Tension persisted between Choopan and Lunsford on stage, but they ultimately buried the hatchet in the days following the event. Now, with bodybuilding shifting its attention to the 2024 Arnold Classic, James, Sarcev, and El Guindy not only touch on Derek Lunsford‘s lack of chest and shoulder definition but also how the champ can improve his posing.
Dennis James, Terrick El Guindy Talk Derek Lunsford’s Posing and Lack of Conviction
Despite Lunsford’s victory, Sarcev wasn’t convinced by his conditioning levels, specifically the chest and shoulders.
“Derek just from the back, striated glutes and back double biceps, that’s what he – that’s him. And he was good on the side poses with the hamstrings but the upper body, Terrick, as the judges, saying the upper body his chest and shoulders, it was not comparable to quality and density [of Hadi Choopan],” explains Milos Sarcev.
Bodybuilding veteran Chris Cormier, who attended the 2023 Olympia, said Lunsford was the only bodybuilder who truly shocked him.
“My jaw didn’t drop for nobody else but Derek at this show, that’s just my opinion,” said Chris Cormier.
Judge Terrick El Guindy acknowledged that Lunsford lacked chest and shoulder separation, which is why the former 212 Olympia champ lost the most muscular pose and the front lat spread.
“Milos, you are correct in saying Derek lacked separation on the chest and the shoulders and that was one of feedbacks and that is exactly what he lost the most muscular and he lost the front lat spread which are poses that really indicate the separation that you have on your upper body.
In that back double biceps, in the side chest, side triceps, back lat spread, those poses don’t emphasize the separation that you’re going to have on your chest right, they emphasize other items. You are not incorrect in pointing out that Derek had a flaw. Absolutely. You are not incorrect in saying that but you also have to take into consideration that every competitor has a flaw.”
In El Guindy’s opinion, Lunsford needs more conviction when posing on stage.
“I thought Derek Lunsford was not as confident as he should have been on the poses. I think even though he might have been winning the show if I were to give him advice I felt like he was not 100 percent that he was winning the show. And I felt like Samson Dauda was probably the most comfortable guy there because he’s in the top three. But I didn’t feel like Derek posed as if he already won the Olympia.
I always tell competitors, pose as if you already won the show and that will change your entire demeanor. That would be one of my feedbacks to Derek. Even in the finals, there was a little bit of sense that you were not the Olympia champion. You need to pose with more conviction. That would have been my feedback. I thought he was al little bit tentative,” said Terrick El Guindy.
El Guindy clarified that Lunsford should perform a traditional abs and thigh pose before deciding to incorporate a vacuum on stage.
“He [Derek Lunsford] lost that pose to Hadi Choopan, right? Hadi Choopan presented better abdominals and thighs than Derek Lunsford. Derek Lunsford hit a vacuum which hey listen, it’s okay, we want them to have controlled midsections. What Derek failed to do, he needed to hit his abdominals and thighs and then go to a vacuum,” shared El Guindy.
Based on the conditioning evident in physique updates, Dennis James believes the reigning Mr. O could enter the 2024 Arnold Classic on short notice, though he doubts he will.
“It can only get better for Derek from here on out,” said Dennis James. “Did you see his latest updates? Right now, he looks like he’s getting ready for the Arnold.
He really does he can get ready for the Arnold. I know he’s not but he could. It tells me how serious he is to come in even better this year at the Olympia. He’s working on that right now and I can see it.”
This wasn’t judge Terrick El Guindy’s first offering to fans regarding the posing prowess of Derek Lunsford. Recapping the 2023 Olympia show, El Guindy underlined that Lunsford pulled off the massive victory thanks to considerable improvements to his side poses.
The 2024 Mr. Olympia competition promises to be an electrifying event as the organization celebrates its 60th anniversary. With Samson Daudas’s fast rise and Nick Walker’s possible return looming, an unpredictable road lies ahead of Lunsford as the newly hunted champion.
Watch the full video from the Muscle and Fitness YouTube channel below:
Relive every moment from the 2025 Mr. Olympia, including prejudging, highlights, expert analysis, and full results. Explore our Olympia hub: FitnessVolt.com/olympia. For minute-by-minute coverage, follow our Live Blog.
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