Bodybuilding judge Terrick El Guindy is back to take a closer look at the stacked lineup heading to the 2025 Arnold Classic. On the January 30, 2025 edition of the Prime Time Muscle Podcast, he explained why Carlos Thomas Jr. needs to bring up his back and previewed the ‘mega collision’ between Derek Lunsford and Samson Dauda.
Just days after he claimed his first Mr. Olympia title, Samson Dauda committed to the 2025 Arnold Classic. At the event, he’ll face off with former 2023 Olympia titleholder Derek Lunsford, who missed the mark in an attempt to defend the prestigious title in Las Vegas, Nevada. Lunsford finished the show in third place but has a rare opportunity to avenge the defeat in under five weeks.
While Dauda and Lunsford are clear favorites going into Columbus, Ohio, there’s been consistent chatter about Carlos Thomas Jr.’s chances as well. He shined in his Pro debut at the 2023 Texas Pro, securing third place behind Hunter Labrada and Andrew Jacked. With a $500,000 cash prize at stake, El Guindy broke down the lineup and offered advice to some of the competitors set to compete.
Terrick El Guindy Gives Carlos Thomas Jr. Advice, Previews Arnold Classic Battle Between Samson Dauda & Derek Lunsford
In a recent YouTube video, El Guindy implored Thomas Jr. to bring up his back as well as his conditioning levels.
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“The back needs to come up. He kind of reminds me a little bit of Samson. We were talking about Samson, that he needs a little bit more back and needs to be a little bit more conditioned.
And we were hard on Samson, right? We said hey, we’re not going to give you credit until you come in condition. He did and he won the Olympia.”
He also mentioned that Thomas Jr.’s big legs will also play a factor in his success on stage.
“Legs [on Carlos Thomas Jr.] are massive but if he has the back and he comes in condition, nobody is going to say well, your legs are detrimental to your career. We love big legs that’s one big thing we’re missing is big legs, so Carlos, squeeze in the cardio, come in condition, and pursue glory because this could be your moment.”
Although much of the attention has circled Dauda and Lunsford, El Guindy refused to discount Andrew Jacked’s chances at the Arnold Classic.
Samson Dauda gained a lot of size and all of a sudden all the attention went to Samson and we forgot how great Andrew Jacked is. Andrew needs to come in just like he came in last year in Texas and deliver a powerful performance.
Whether we like it or not, Martin Fitzwater surpassed him at the Olympia. The bottom line is this Arnold is super interesting because we have the collision of two basically current Mr. Olympias,” he shared.
El Guindy called the Arnold Classic showdown between Dauda and Lunsford a ‘mega collision,’ given the Olympia title implications.
“Samson Dauda versus Derek Lunsford. I don’t want to disrespect Brandon Curry. He is a Mr. Olympia. He will always be a Mr. Olympia but it looks like he’s no longer at his prime.
And if Brandon can prove me wrong, I’ll be the first guy to say I was wrong and I apologize because I love Brandon. But based on his positioning at the Olympia, we’re talking about a mega collision between Samson Dauda and Derek.”
He emphasized that if Duada pulls ahead of Lunsford at the event, he solidifies his position as the number one bodybuilder in the world.
“If Samson wins this show against Derek, he solidifies his position and says I passed you and you’re history right now.”
El Guindy also believes Hadi Choopan is making a mistake by sitting out.
“I don’t think it benefits him [taking time off]. I think Hadi is a guy that competes a lot. He’s used to competing,” shared Terrick El Guindy. “Last year, he wins the Arnold and a lot of people thought that was his best ever, he goes to the UK wins again, goes to the Olympia, takes second. I think that builds momentum.”
“I’m tired of people saying I need to take the whole year off. My man, there has never been more money in bodybuilding,” he said. “Your job is to compete.”
There are unprecedented stakes and pressure on the line for both Dauda and Lunsford. Whoever emerges victorious will head into the next Mr. Olympia with momentum and undeniable hype. Don’t miss the event; Fitness Volt will have live coverage of the action!
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Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:
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