2022 Olympia runner up Derek Lunsford believes he is battling Hadi Choopan for the 2023 Olympia title but others could make a run as well.
2022 second place Olympia competitor Derek Lunsford has established himself in the Men’s Open division and it did not take much time. After finishing as the runner-up in his first Olympia in the biggest division, Lunsford believes he can battle reigning champ Hadi Choopan for the 2023 Olympia title this November in Orlando.
Lunsford received a special invitation to compete in Men’s Open during the biggest show of the year. After winning the 212 Olympia title in 2021, Lunsford put on incredible size and would be unable to return to make weight. He was able to show this off during the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro as a guest poser and stood out immediately.
Lunsford continued to impress in competition and was second to only Choopan at the biggest show of the year. He believes that this will be the battle once again. Lunsford got a chance to break it down during an appearance on The Menace Podcast.
“Hadi is the champ and it was close. And if you look at the scorecards, it was myself and Hadi and then there was a pretty big gap between first, second, and then third, fourth, and fifth. So really on paper, it’s just Hadi.”
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Lunsford has now had a chance to train as a Men’s Open competitor and set his goals early enough to put himself in the best position possible.
“I am in a better starting point. I don’t have to worry about a skin infection. I’m up a good 8-10 pounds, easily.”
“I’ve already seen improvements in my chest. If I can keep the fullness there, I think just being a bigger, sharper, harder version of last year is what I need to do. I don’t think I need to sit here and nitpick Hadi and say this is where I beat him. I just beat myself from last year.”
Derek Lunsford Discusses What He Sees For Third Place
The 2023 Arnold Classic saw some big-name competitors throw their hat into the ring. This includes Nick Walker, who finished third at the Olympia in December. Ultimately, Walker finished second to Samson Dauda, who has emerged as a contender this year.
“I think what you’re going to see is Hadi and myself battling it out as the top two and I think you’re going to see a re-run of the Arnold with Nick and Samson battling it out for third and fourth. That’s just my opinion. I think that’s a little premature for me to even say.”
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The Arnold Classic was a chance to see Walker and Dauda battle on stage. Despite losing in Columbus, Lunsford believes that Walker has what it takes to remain in the conversation for a title at the Olympia.
“The fact that Samson did win the Arnold, he beat Nick at the Arnold, I think that goes to show that he obviously can surpass Nick but I think Nick at the Olympia bringing conditioning that he did at the Arnold, I think that he can still beat Samson.”
The panel continued to discuss the competition and Chris Cormier made an early pick of Lunsford to win. Cormier highlighted the ab definition of Lunsford as an improvement needed but if it happens, he will be difficult to beat. Cormier also believes that Walker will get at least one title during his career.
Derek Lunsford is working to reach the pinnacle of bodybuilding and is doing it the right way. He is focused on his own prep and improving day by day.
“God willing, I stay healthy and injury free. I’m still knocking on the door to that title.”
