2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up Derek Lunsford is in prep for the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL on Nov. 2-5, and his sights are set on changing into the 18th Mr. Olympia winner. Lunsford was a visitor on The Menace Podcast with host Dennis James, Milos Sarcev, and Chris Cormier to speak about his mindset and prep for the competition, however James introduced up a bigger concern for the panel. Is the Men’s Open division at risk?
“What’s happening? We have no competitors in the shows,” James mentioned. “Is the category at risk, that means they don’t even wish to qualify for the Olympia?
“I don’t think so,” Lunsford answered in response to the speculation that the category is at risk. The subject was introduced up due to the latest lack of opponents coming into the 2023 Chicago Pro, which was gained by Justin Shier. Lunsford has been collaborating with execs round on this planet in movies, and he’s studying that many of those athletes wish to ensure they reveal their finest variations once they do take the stage.
“I think that there’s just a difference between being a top five Olympian and being a year or two away from that,” he advised DJ. “I think a lot of people are still working on their physique to grow and and show their best so that when they go, they can truly be a competitive ifbb Pro open guy.”
That was what Lunsford is seeing and listening to, however the old-school members of the panel aren’t thrilled with that. Cormier shared that point onstage is what he feels is critical to develop and get higher.
Cormier mentioned, “To be better is to get on stage and see what you need to work on.” Lunsford made it clear that he’s in settlement with what they wish to see, and he’s advocating that when he talks to those different execs.
“That’s what I’m preaching.”
Lunsford spoke about his ideas on the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest and what he feels it can take to dethrone champion Hadi Choopan in Orlando this yr. Subscribe to the Muscle & Fitness YouTube channel to share your ideas on the episode and tune into new episodes of The Menace Podcast each Sunday at 3 PM Eastern time.