Regardless of getting into the 2024 Mr. Olympia contest because the reigning champion, Derek Lunsford left Las Vegas with out his second straight Sandow trophy and a record-setting prize purse of $600,000 that accompanied it.
He didn’t safe the silver medal, both. Lunsford’s quest to retain his Mr. Olympia title hardly performed out as anticipated:
Derek Lunsford on His Fall From the High
In a video posted on the NPC Information On-line YouTube Channel, Lunsford mentioned his disappointing third-place end on the 2024 Olympia with NPC Information On-line on Oct. 13, 2024 a day after the occasion wrapped.
Whereas no one considered Lunsford as a lock to change into the primary Mr. Olympia to repeat since Mamdouh “Huge Ramy” Elssbiay captured back-to-back titles in 2020-’21, few anticipated him to slip to the quantity three spot. Nonetheless, between Dauda’s sheer measurement and Choopan’s signature conditioning, the judges decided the defending champion didn’t measure as much as two of his friends.
Though Lunsford acknowledged he had room for enchancment coming off his historic 2023 victory, he felt he took strides in “some locations” to set himself up for a knockout efficiency.
“For it to be even shut after which dropping to 3rd, it was only a shock, it’s loopy.”
Dropping out of the winner’s spot didn’t simply value Lunsford his Mr. Olympia crown and bragging rights. By falling to 3rd, he went from doubtlessly bagging $600,000 to settling for a $100,000 prize purse.
Nonetheless, Lunsford proved why he’s well-respected by his friends and bodybuilding followers with the way in which he dealt with his interview with Tony Doherty. Displaying real emotion and appreciation, Lunsford had nothing however reward for the person who toppled him from his Olympia throne:
“I stated this to them on stage to him and his spouse, I stated ‘That is your second. I’m so comfortable for you guys,’” Lunsford recalled. “Though it sucks for me, you possibly can by no means take that away from any person else.”
In what needed to be a making an attempt second, Lunsford maintained humility and beauty. He additionally offered helpful perspective on what it’s wish to be a part of a neighborhood of pushed people who share the identical aim.
I take a look at this as extra colleagues than opponents as a result of we’re serving to one another elevate to be our greatest. I say it on a regular basis, and I say it now, however I genuinely imply that, however all of us wanna be the champion however there can solely be one champion.
Lunsford’s assertion spotlights the challenges bodybuilders face to steadiness their aggressive drive with being supportive of their fellow opponents. Nonetheless, that inner battle doesn’t at all times finish gracefully.
Lunsford discovered that in 2023 when Choopan, his Evogen Diet teammate, walked off the Olympia stage after settling for second place. However, Chris Bumstead’s cool, calm, and picked up method on and off the stage has helped him garner widespread respect from fan and his fellow opponents.
However with the six-time champion retiring and the Basic Physique division up for grabs, will the following champion deal with himself with the identical diploma of humility?
Lunsford going from first to 3rd within the matter of a yr definitely raised some eyebrows. Nonetheless, he’s not the one Mr. Olympia winner to expertise a disappointing sequel.
Listed here are a couple of notable opponents who fell in need of defending their title:
2022:Huge Ramy went from profitable consecutive Olympias to failing to crack the top-four.
2009: Like Lunsford, Dexter Jackson settled for a bronze medal only one yr after taking dwelling the Sandow trophy. “The Blade” continued his backslide over the following two years, ending fourth in ’10 and sixth in 2011.
1984:Samir Bannout went from standing atop the Olympia mountain in ‘83 to sixth place the next yr. He by no means got here near incomes one other title, sandwiching eighth-place finishes in 1988 and 1990 with a ninth-place lead to 1989.
As well as, Chris Dickerson went from profitable the 1982 Mr. Olympia to ending eleventh in 1984 (after a one-year hiatus). Solely time will inform if Lunsford can course-correct and make it again to the highest of Mount Olympia.
