Derek Lunsford Reclaims Mr. Olympia Title in Las Vegas

Derek Lunsford reclaimed the Mr. Olympia title on Saturday night, Oct. 11, in Las Vegas, defeating a deep field of past champions and rising stars to lift the Sandow Trophy at Resorts World Theatre. The 32 year old topped the Men’s Open division at the 61st Joe Weider Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend after a multiday competition that began with prejudging at the Las Vegas Convention Center on Oct. 10.

Lunsford’s victory completed a season sweep that included wins at the Arnold Classic and the Pittsburgh Pro, a feat he termed his Triple Crown. He earned the Open division’s top prize of $600,000 as part of an overall prize pool that organizers said surpassed $2 million. Hadi Choopan finished second and Andrew Jacked took third, while last year’s champion Samson Dauda placed fourth and Martin Fitzwater came in fifth. Choopan was also named the People’s Champion by fan vote.

Prejudging on Friday suggested multiple contenders for the title. Defending champion Dauda presented sharp conditioning that drew early praise and placed him among the final comparisons alongside Lunsford, Choopan and Jacked. Judges worked several rounds of comparisons, and several competitors made...