Ronnie Coleman The King is predicting a former champion to regain his title in 2025.
As an 8x Mr. Olympia champion, Ronnie Coleman knows what it takes to win on the biggest stage in bodybuilding. With the show just one week away, Coleman shared his prediction on who will finish in the Top 10 in Men’s Open.
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There has been three different champions crowned in the last three years. All will be back in the mix once again this year. Samson Dauda returns as the reigning champion and will look to successfully defend his title. Both Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan will also in the mix, looking to win their second title. If either is victorious, he would become just the second bodybuilder to loss his title and regain it — joining Jay Cutler.
Coleman recently made his return to the gym himself after battling sepsis. Coleman was first hospitalized on June 30 with what was originally described as a “serious medical condition.” Coleman’s family continued to provide updates about his situation up until he was diagnosed with sepsis on July 11. While Coleman was in the hospital, his family started an initiative called RONNIE STRONG, which will donate proceeds to Sepsis Alliance. Sepsis can last anywhere between 6-18 months.
Ronnie Coleman’s Top 10 Olympia Picks
Coleman broke down his opinion on the Top 10 competitors below:
- First Place – Hadi Choopan
- Second Place – Nick Walker
- Third Place – Derek Lunsford
- Fourth Place – Samson Dauda
- Fifth Place – Andrew Jacked
- Sixth Place – NO PICK
- Seventh Place – Rafael Brandao
- Eighth Place – Behrooz Tabani
- Ninth Place – Brandon Curry
- Tenth Place – Rubiel Mosquera
Ronnie Coleman went athlete-by-athlete in his analysis, beginning at the bottom. He believe that Mosquera is a future Mr. Olympia once he makes improvements during his career while Curry can jump into the top five if he comes in conditioned. Coleman also credited Brandao for his incredible shape but needs to get bigger.
Coleman went onto discuss his top five and Nick Walker was placed second to Choopan. The 8x champ believes Walker has made the move improvements this year.
“He’s got immaculate shape here in the pictures I’m looking at and he’s got a great back, great hamstrings, glutes. He’ll be Mr. Olympia, for sure. Just a little bit more traction on him and he’ll be right there.”
While Walker made a big jump after missing the last two years, Coleman placed Dauda fourth after winning the competition last year.
“The only thing I can see with Samson is just a little bit more separation. Conditioning needs to be brought up just a little bit, and I think Samson, he’s got a great back shot. Glutes, hamstrings could come up a little bit, but he’s a force.”
The 2025 Olympia will begin with prejudging, taking place on Friday and Saturday morning. The finals will take place at night with a new Mr. Olympia champion being crowned on Saturday night.
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