Derek Lunsford
| Derek Lunsford | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Bodybuilder | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Lunsford at the Arnold Classic, 2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal info | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | May 14, 1993 Petersburg, Indiana, U.S. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | Contest: 225 lb (102 kg) Off season: 240 lb (109 kg)[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Professional career | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro-debut |
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| Best win | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Predecessor | Hadi Choopan | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Successor | Samson Dauda | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Derek Lunsford (born May 14, 1993) is an American professional bodybuilder who competes in the men's open bodybuilding division in the IFBB Pro League. He won the Mr. Olympia competitions both in 2021 and again in 2023, becoming the first winner of the competition in two divisions.
Biography
[edit]Derek Lunsford was born in Petersburg, Indiana on May 14, 1993. He was an active child who participated in various sports, including soccer and high school wrestling. Lunsford's interest in bodybuilding began during his college years when he shifted from his earlier sports pursuits to weightlifting. He sought the guidance of a personal trainer, James Brown, to achieve better results.[1]
In 2015, Derek Lunsford made his amateur bodybuilding debut at the NPC Indianapolis Championships, where he competed in the Men's Open Welterweight division and emerged as the winner. He continued to establish himself as a competitive amateur bodybuilder by winning the 2015 and 2016 NPC Junior Nationals. He earned his Pro Card in 2017 NPC USA Championships, marking his transition to professional bodybuilding.[1]
Lunsford made his professional bodybuilding debut at the 2017 IFBB Tampa Pro, competing in the 212 lb division, and won his first professional show. His victory at the Tampa Pro earned him an invitation to the 2017 Mr. Olympia where he took 5th place. Over the years, Derek Lunsford consistently competed in the 212 division of the Mr. Olympia competition and consistently achieved top-5 placements.[1] In March 2021, it was announced that he started training with bodybuilding coach Hany Rambod.[2] In October 2021, he won the 212 Mr. Olympia, overtaking the then-current winner, Shaun Clarida.[3]
In May 2022, Derek Lunsford appeared on IFBB Pittsburgh Pro stage as a guest poser, weighing 257 pounds. In September 2022, it was announced that he received a special invitation to compete in the open division of the 2022 Mr. Olympia.[4] He achieved a second-place finish behind Hadi Choopan in his first attempt competing in the new division.[5] In 2023, Derek Lunsford won both the Mr. Olympia title and the People's Champion Award, becoming the first winner of the competition in two weight divisions: 212 and Open.[6]
Competitive history
[edit]- 2015 NPC Indianapolis Championships – 1st (Welterweight)[7]
- 2015 NPC Junior Nationals – 1st (Welterweight)[7]
- 2016 NPC Junior Nationals – 1st (Middleweight/Overall)[8]
- 2016 NPC USA Championships – 1st (Middleweight)[1]
- 2017 NPC USA Championships – 1st (Light Heavyweight)[1]
- 2017 IFBB Tampa Pro – 1st (212 lb)[9]
- 2017 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 5th (212 lb)[10]
- 2018 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 2nd (212 lb)[11]
- 2019 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 2nd (212 lb)[12]
- 2020 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 4th (212 lb)[13]
- 2021 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 1st (212 lb)[3]
- 2022 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 2nd (Men's Open)[5]
- 2023 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 1st (Men's Open)[14]
- 2024 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 3rd (Men's Open)
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f g "Derek Lunsford – Complete Profile: Height, Weight, Bio". Fitness Volt. October 30, 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ Salmon, Jonathan (March 17, 2021). "Derek Lunsford Has Teamed Up With Coach Hany Rambod". Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Blechman, Phil (October 9, 2021). "Derek Lunsford Wins the 2021 212 Olympia Title". BarBend. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ Zeglinski, Robert (September 16, 2022). "Derek Lunsford Receives Invitation to Men's Open at 2022 Mr. Olympia". Breaking Muscle. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ a b Patuto, Greg (December 18, 2022). "2022 Olympia Bodybuilding Results For All Divisions". Generation Iron Fitness & Strength Sports Network. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "Derek Lunsford: história, títulos e curiosidades - Esportelândia". www.esportelandia.com.br (in Brazilian Portuguese). April 24, 2024. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Derek Lunsford – Greatest Physiques". greatestphysiques.com. November 29, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "Lunsford, Derek". musclememory.com. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "Derek Lunsford qualifies for Olympia with debut Pro win". Evolution of Bodybuilding. August 5, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "Olympia Results: 2017 Olympia Men's 212 Results & Prize Money". Fitness Volt. September 16, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ "2018 Olympia Men's 212 Bodybuilding Results & Prize Money". Fitness Volt. September 16, 2018. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ Miller, Tom (September 14, 2019). "Olympia 2019 Men's 212 Results & Prize Money". Fitness Volt. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
- ^ Paulson, Mrs (October 27, 2022). "Derek Lunsford - Complete Profile: Height, Weight, Age, Olympia". Tikkaykhan. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ^ "American Bodybuilder Derek Lunsford Wins Mr Olympia 2023, Prize Money Is..." NDTV. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
External links
[edit]- dereklunsford
.com - Derek Lunsford on Instagram
- Derek Lunsford on YouTube