Derek Lunsford comments on his drop to 3rd place at the 2024 Mr. Olympia
The 60th anniversary of the Mr. Olympia competition is now behind us, but the results have left the bodybuilding world buzzing—especially after Derek Lunsford’s unexpected finish. In a recent video interview posted on October 13, 2024, the former champion opened up about his surprising third-place result and shared his thoughts on the intense competition.
Derek Lunsford, who made his mark as the 212 Olympia champion back in 2021, transitioned to the Men’s Open category in 2022 following a standout guest posing appearance at the Pittsburgh Pro. His rapid rise in the Open division saw him secure second place that year, just behind Hadi Choopan. In 2023, Lunsford’s hard work paid off when he clinched the Men’s Open title, becoming the first-ever two-division Mr. Olympia champion.
However, the 2024 competition didn’t go as planned for the two-division champ. Despite coming into this year’s Mr. Olympia with high hopes of defending his title, Lunsford ended up taking third place, falling behind new champion Samson Dauda and Hadi Choopan.
A Personal Mission: Competing for Himself
Reflecting on his journey and the outcome of this year’s contest, Lunsford admitted that he didn’t see the third-place result coming. He described the experience as a “shock,” explaining that he always strives to exceed his previous achievements.
“I’m my worst critic, so even last year when I won, I was kind of like, ‘What’s it gonna be? What’s it gonna be?’ and it was the same this time,” Lunsford shared. “I wasn’t competing for anybody but myself.”
For Lunsford, his motivation comes from within. He emphasized the dedication he put into preparing for this year’s event, revealing how he had spent the entire year pushing himself in the gym to come back even better.
“It’s hard when you’ve spent an entire year, from one show to the next, and you are in the gym training, working hard to come back so much improved,” he said. “I really wanted to be like, wow. Come out lights out, knock out, like nobody is touching this guy.”
Surprised by the Outcome, But Grateful for the Experience
While Derek Lunsford was confident in his improvements, the final results left him stunned. “For it to be even close and then dropping to third, it was just a shock, it’s crazy,” he remarked. Despite the disappointment, Lunsford maintained a positive attitude, commending his fellow competitors and expressing genuine happiness for Samson Dauda’s victory.
“I am so happy for Samson. I really am because I know what it… I said this to them on stage, to him and his wife, ‘This is your moment. I am so happy for you guys,’” Lunsford revealed. “Even though it sucks for me, you can never take away from somebody else.”
Looking Ahead: A Champion’s Mindset
As Derek Lunsford processes this setback, he remains focused on the future. The Florida-based bodybuilder has no plans of stepping away from the gym, eager to return to training after spending some time with his family.
“I’ll be on the cardio tomorrow. I’ll be in the gym for sure. I can’t wait to get in the gym again but I definitely want to be with my wife and daughter,” Lunsford said, highlighting the importance of balancing his personal and professional life.
Reflecting on his journey alongside the other athletes, Lunsford emphasized the mutual respect shared among the competitors:
“You can’t take away from the athletes. I would like to think they want it just as bad I do, otherwise they wouldn’t have been up there. They sacrifice just like I do,” he noted. “I look at this as more colleagues than competitors because we are helping each other elevate to be our best.”
While Derek Lunsford didn’t manage to defend his title this year, his determination and sportsmanship left a lasting impression. As he gears up for the next phase of his career, fans eagerly anticipate what’s next for the former champion. Whether he decides to return to the Olympia stage or tackle other competitions, one thing is clear—Derek Lunsford’s story is far from over. Stay tuned for updates on his journey as he aims to rise to the top once again.
You can watch the full video interview with Derek Lunsford below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uoXJkZ3_rz8
For more updates on all things Olympia, bodybuilding, strength, and fitness – stay tuned to the Generation Iron Fitness Network!
