Lewis thinks Lunsford is on monitor towards historical past.
Derek Lunsford might be the following inheritor obvious to true bodybuilding greatness. Already a former 212 Olympia champion (2021), Lunsford shined in his Males’s Open debut on the 2022 Olympia, ending because the runner-up to the titanic Hadi Choopan. With extra seasoning below his belt, some members of the bodybuilding group suppose he’s on the precipice of a genuinely distinctive achievement.
On July 17, 2023, James “Flex” Lewis posted a video to his YouTube channel the place he had a dialog with Lunsford about his present place in bodybuilding. With Lunsford now a full-time Males’s Open class member, Lewis endorsed his peer’s probabilities at turning into the primary bodybuilder ever to win in two separate Olympia divisions (212, Males’s Open).
A seven-time 212 Olympia champion (2012-2018), Lewis loved a pleasant rivalry with Lunsford towards the tail finish of his reign, most notably overcoming the younger runner-up through the 2018 version of the competition. That may make Lewis extra outfitted than most to know what Lunsford is able to at bodybuilding’s highest ranges.
Lewis maintained he’d stored an in depth eye on Lunsford since his sole 212 title in 2021 and that he unquestionably sees him because the athlete to beat in November in Orlando, FL.
“Going into this yr’s Olympia [2023], I stated to so many individuals, ‘Derek Lunsford is the one,’” Lewis defined. “That [2023] Pittsburgh Pro, that blew my thoughts and everybody else’s. I believed to myself, ‘Thank god that man’s not within the 212 [division] anymore.’ I additionally stated to myself, ‘Thank god I’m not competing within the Open class in opposition to this man.’ I additionally stated, ‘whoever goes to be standing subsequent to that man is in for a handful.’”
Past speaking about Lunsford’s physique, Lewis all however painted him because the inevitable first-ever “champ-champ” — the primary bodybuilder in historical past who might win a title in two main Olympia divisions.
With a victory on the 2023 Olympia, Lunsford very nicely would possibly dwell as much as this billing.
“What you’ve finished because the 212 is truthfully so inspiring,” Lewis advised Lunsford. “You say that you simply had been by no means capable of dethrone me, however you understand what I can say about you, is, I might need crushed you within the 212 class however now you’re going to be, in my eyes, the primary ever champ-champ.”
Lewis expressed that one of many targets of his aggressive profession was to win an Olympia title in two divisions. The icon by no means competed in a division exterior of the 212 on the tentpole bodybuilding contests. Now that these days are behind him, he’ll dwell vicariously by way of Lunsford’s exploits.
“It was my motivation to be the first-ever two-division champ-champ,” Lewis stated. “You now, whether or not you considered it or not, it was consuming for me … I’ll by no means have the ability to obtain that now that I’m retired. I wish to see you go to the moon and again.”
Lewis isn’t the primary bodybuilding legend to place his religion in Lunsford on the 2023 Olympia. Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman (1998-2005) and long-time coach Miloš Šarčev have each beforehand expressed their belief within the younger celebrity’s probabilities at historic success.
Now Lunsford will simply should dwell as much as the hype.
Trending Merchandise
![FITINDEX Vibrating Foam Roller 5-Speed, Next Generation Electric Foam Roller for Muscle Relax, Fitness Deep Massage Foam Roller for Post-Workout – Gray](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41xXLs45kHL._SS300_.jpg)
FITINDEX Vibrating Foam Roller 5-Speed, Next Generation Electric Foam Roller for Muscle Relax, Fitness Deep Massage Foam Roller for Post-Workout – Gray
![Resistance Bands for Working Out with Workout Bands Guide. 4 Booty Bands for Women Men Fabric Elastic Bands for Exercise Bands Resistance Bands for Legs Bands for Working Out Hip Thigh Glute Bands Set](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51yLuC6R2nL._SS300_.jpg)
Resistance Bands for Working Out with Workout Bands Guide. 4 Booty Bands for Women Men Fabric Elastic Bands for Exercise Bands Resistance Bands for Legs Bands for Working Out Hip Thigh Glute Bands Set
![GAODI Women Waist Trainer Vest Slim Corset Neoprene Sauna Tank Top Zipper Workout Body Shaper Shirt (L, Black Sauna Vest)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41gIOScWUZS._SS300_.jpg)
GAODI Women Waist Trainer Vest Slim Corset Neoprene Sauna Tank Top Zipper Workout Body Shaper Shirt (L, Black Sauna Vest)
![FITNE Green Tea Herbal Honey Lemon With Garcinia Senna Infusion Gentle Detox Cleanse High Antioxidant No Calories Stevia Sweetener, 15 Tea Bags](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51Ur9z-WmvL._SS300_.jpg)
FITNE Green Tea Herbal Honey Lemon With Garcinia Senna Infusion Gentle Detox Cleanse High Antioxidant No Calories Stevia Sweetener, 15 Tea Bags
![Sunny Health & Fitness Squat Assist Row-N-Ride™ Trainer for Glutes Workout with Online Training Video](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41kV-+oBtuL._SS300_.jpg)
Sunny Health & Fitness Squat Assist Row-N-Ride™ Trainer for Glutes Workout with Online Training Video
![FITNE Black Currant Herbal Green Tea Fruity Garcinia Senna Infusion Gentle Detox Cleansing Boost Antioxidant Wellness Tea No Calories, 15 Tea Bags](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51G9EBEHQgL._SS300_.jpg)
FITNE Black Currant Herbal Green Tea Fruity Garcinia Senna Infusion Gentle Detox Cleansing Boost Antioxidant Wellness Tea No Calories, 15 Tea Bags
![Squat Wedge Block 2PCS Non Slip Professional Squat Ramp,Squat Platform for Heel Elevated Squats and Calf Raises,Slant Board Professional Squat Ramp for Weightlifting and Fitness](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41KjJKuw6jL._SS300_.jpg)