Despite securing the prestigious 2023 Mr. Olympia title, Derek Lunsford life has taken an unexpected turn. In a recent Instagram reel shared on November 6, he opened up about the threats directed at him and his family following his victory.
Furthermore, Lunsford disclosed that his Instagram account was shut down twice within 24 hours, immediately after his monumental win. He also addressed the incident where the runner-up, Hadi Choopan, left the Mr. Olympia stage.
“I have love for Hadi’s fans but I would appreciate it if we could be a bit more respectful, and I ask that from everyone,” Lunsford shared.
The 59th edition of Joe Weider’s Olympia & Fitness Performance Weekend witnessed significant upsets, with seven new champions crowned, and only four titleholders retaining their thrones. Notably, Iran’s Hadi Choopan fell short against his compatriot Derek Lunsford in the finals.
Derek Lunsford’s win marked a historic achievement as he became the world’s first-ever two-division Mr. Olympia champion. However, the results sparked controversy among online fans, with some going so far as to label the event a robbery. Derek Lunsford himself addresses these controversies surrounding his title win.
Athletes are still coming down after the 59th edition of Joe Weider’s Olympia & Fitness Performance Weekend. It was the year of upsets as seven new champions were crowned with only four titleholders retaining their respective thrones. Most notably, the headliner saw Iran’s Hadi Choopan come up short against his teammate Derek Lunsford in the finals.
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Derek Lunsford‘s win was historic as he established himself as the world’s first-ever two-division Mr. Olympia champion. However, many fans online found the results controversial with some going as far as calling the event a robbery altogether. To unpack the noise surrounding the big title win is none other than Derek Lunsford himself.
Derek Lunsford Confronts Controversy Surrounding His 2023 Olympia Victory, Instagram Disruptions, and Family Security Concerns
Lunsford steadfastly expressed his commitment to maintaining his social media presence despite facing online criticism and threats from fans. While he refrained from divulging specific reasons for the two temporary suspensions of his Instagram account, he did share the following perspective on the issue:
“There’s a couple of statements that I’d like to make and a couple of things I’d like to address. The first one is about my account on Instagram being suspended. There was speculation that I disabled it because of comments and concerns but that’s not true that’s not me.
I love putting out content on my social media, whether that’s my Instagram or that’s my YouTube. It’s not me to disable that for any reason. I want to let you guys know that not only was the account suspended once but it was suspended twice already in the last 24 hours so that addresses that.”
While he can’t control what others say or the opinions of fans, Lunsford stressed that threats toward himself or his family go “way too far.”
“The second thing that I wanted to talk about has been a lot of the negative comments and I just want to say that there is a point where it does cross the line and that’s whenever my family gets involved. When there’s threats being made to my family or myself that’s way too far.”
Lunsford Advocates for Increased Respect Within the Global Bodybuilding Fanbase, Regardless of Nationality.
“So I wanted to let people know that I don’t feel that’s okay but I can’t control what others are going to do or what they are going to say. I just ask that we’re all respectful to each other because I do believe that there are many many people that support me and support all of the bodybuilders, and it doesn’t mater whether you’re from the U.S. from Iran, or if you’re from Brazil, or any part of the world, I believe that there’s good people everywhere. And I feel a tremendous amount of love and support from around the world and including the Iranian fans and the Brazilian fans and the U.S. fans,” Derek Lunsford said.
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Lunsford Reflects on Hadi Choopan’s Sudden Departure from the 2023 Mr. Olympia Stage: “I Was Surprised”
Despite his own surprise at Choopan’s unexpected departure, Derek Lunsford empathized with the situation, having experienced a similar outcome himself when he finished as the runner-up to Choopan on the stage the previous year.
“I was surprised [at Hadi Choopan storming off the stage] I didn’t think that would be the reaction but look this is not easy we all pour our hearts and souls into this. What am I thinking about when I’m out there posing, and we’re really battling on the line, you heard Steve say ‘Knock it off guys, back on the line,’ how many times? So we pour our hearts and souls into this, and someone asked me yesterday and said, ‘What goes through your mind when you’re out there battling it out with those guys.’
“I would reflect on all those mornings when I struggled to rise from bed, grappling with exhaustion, and the reluctance to hit the gym for training. I’d confide in my wife, saying, ‘This is becoming incredibly challenging, why me?’ There were moments when I’d ask, ‘God, why me? Why did you choose me to become a bodybuilder, to undertake something so demanding? Why did you instill this passion in me?'” Derek Lunsford pondered during an athlete’s gathering.
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Lunsford also contemplated the hardships he faced on his journey to securing the prestigious title.
“It tested me through all this hardship. God Why me, why me? And I think of all the sacrifices I make but not just me my wife is making them with me and you know and all my loved ones. That’s what I’m feeling. And I’ve been there, it stings, it sucks, ” said Lunsford.
With only the top three Men’s Open Mr. Olympia finishers receiving automatic qualifications, fans anticipate a return of more high-profile bodybuilders to the stage this year. Sadly, just days before the chance to compete against his rival, Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker had to withdraw due to a severe hamstring tear. As of the present, Walker is not qualified for the 2024 Mr. Olympia, unless he secures victory in a Pro show or receives a special invitation.
Regarding Derek Lunsford, he now holds the title of the reigning Mr. Olympia, a crown he intends to defend come October 2024. Furthermore, Derek Lunsford prepares to face his teammate Hadi Choopan and contender Samson Dauda in this upcoming event, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch.
Overview
In 2023, Derek Lunsford secured the Mr. Olympia title, but his victory came with unexpected challenges. He revealed threats to himself and his family on social media and the suspension of his Instagram account. Lunsford also addressed Hadi Choopan’s surprising exit from the stage. He emphasized the importance of respect in the bodybuilding community.
Looking ahead to the 2024 Mr. Olympia, only the top three finishers receive automatic qualifications, and Nick Walker’s withdrawal due to injury adds uncertainty. Lunsford is determined to defend his title and faces an eagerly anticipated rematch with Choopan and Samson Dauda.
Featured Image @dereklunsford_, @moriauphoto, @Physiquevisuals (Instagram)