"Dropping to 3rd place was a shock for me!" Says Derek Lunsford after Mr. Olympia 2024

The anticipated 60th anniversary of the Mr. Olympia competition has made history. In a recent YouTube video posted on October 13, 2024, Derek Lunsford talked about how he felt after placing third and dropping his title to Samson Daud. Derek Lunsford has come a long way within the sport and originally established himself as the 212 Olympia 2021 champion. In 2022, after guesting at the Pittsburgh Pro, Lunsford received a special invitation to compete in the Men's Open.

Lunsford wasted no time and hit the podium at the 2022 Mr Olympia Men's Open, where he placed second behind teammate Hadi Choopan. However, it didn't take long for Derek Lunsford to improve his physique and win in 2023, becoming the first ever Mr. Olympia champion in two categories.

An emotional Derek Lunsford is in shock after losing at Mr. Olympia 2024 and says he is happy for Samson Dauda

This year, Derek Lunsford was determined to defend his title. Unfortunately, the two-division champion failed to do so, losing his crown and finishing in third place behind Samson Dauda and Hadi Choopan. In light of the results, Derek Lunsford shared his feelings after the competition.

"I'm my own worst critic, so even last year when I won I was kind of thinking, 'What's going to happen now? What's it going to be like?' And it was the same this time."

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Příspěvek sdílený Derek Lunsford (@dereklunsford_)

Lunsford revealed that he was not competing for anyone but himself.

"You know, it's tough when you spend a whole year going from one competition to the next, spending hours in the gym, working hard to come back better than before, to slam the door and really cement your position as champion. And when it doesn't happen the way you hoped, it's not because you want to prove something to those who don't wish you well, but rather because of yourself."

He believed he could arrive better than last year, and was surprised when he finished third instead.

"I knew I could be better from last year to this year and I saw a few areas where I improved. But I really wanted to be the one to impress everyone. To come in and just shine, period, the kind that no one can match me. And then to find out that I finished third, that was a shock. It's crazy," Lunsford said.

Despite losing, Lunsford was a good sport, praising his teammates and revealing that he was genuinely happy for Samson Dauda.

"I'm very happy for Samson. I'm really happy for him because I know what it's like, I told him and his wife on stage, I said, 'This is your moment. I'm so happy for you. I really, honestly am because I know what it feels like to be a champion and it feels so good and they're feeling it right now and I'm honestly happy for them. I am, even though it sucks, you can never take that away from someone else."

As for what's next, Lunsford plans to go straight back to the gym after his time with his family.

"I'm going to hit the cardio tomorrow. I'll definitely be in the gym. I can't wait to get back in the gym, but I definitely want to be with my wife and daughter."

Lunsford shared his respect for the athletes who took the stage with him, acknowledging that they too have sacrificed to get to where they are.

"You can't take anything away from the athletes. I'd like to think they want it as much as I do or they wouldn't be there. They sacrifice as much as I do, I never want to take that away from them. I'm happy for them. I look at it more as colleagues than competitors because we help each other rise to be the best. I say it all the time and I say it now, but I mean it sincerely, but we all want to be champions, but there can only be one champion."