Jay Cutler believes Derek Lunsford is the front-runner for the 2023 Mr. Olympia. His four Olympia titles give that opinion weight. Now, as the event approaches, his recent YouTube comments are gaining attention. Moreover, he praised Lunsford’s physique, saying, “He deservingly has the aesthetics.”
Next, the Men’s Open division has seen major shifts in recent years. One of the most dramatic came in 2022, when Hadi Choopan unseated former champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. However, Derek Lunsford may have stolen the show. His leap from the 212 Olympia to the Open division stunned many. His appearance onstage left the audience in silence.
Then, Lunsford made an unforgettable impact. He came from a weight-restricted division but looked just as massive and conditioned as the 300-pounders. Impressively, he finished second in his Open Olympia debut. That moment set the tone for this year’s contest. Many now see him as the man to beat.
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Cutler’s analytical breakdown provided bodybuilding aficionados with much to mull over. Diving deep into the upcoming contest’s dynamics, he emphasized Derek Lunsford’s potential in challenging Choopan. For Cutler, Lunsford isn’t just another participant; he represents the evolving future of the sport, a force that might redefine the standards of the Olympia battleground.
Jay Cutler Speaks: Lunsford Potential and Big Ramy Absence in the 2023 Mr. Olympia Lineup
Jay Cutler, a renowned figure in the bodybuilding realm, highlighted Derek Lunsford’s potential dominance in the approaching 2023 Mr. Olympia contest. He also shed light on Big Ramy’s unexpected departure, suggesting that “too much negativity” might have played a part in Ramy’s decision to bypass this year’s championship.
“I’m excited to see who is going to be the next or is it going to be a continuation or are we going to see a new champ? I think you know… we’re still going to see the top guys pretty much the same. I’m curious to see how Brandon Curry does. You know he’s been a little hidden. I thought Ramy would definitely compete. I was disappointed to hear he’s out. I think he’s just – too much negativity forced him to not do it.”
“But I’m curious to see who the top dogs are going to be and who will they hype. Who’s going to be the pusher for like that could have or should of or almost won right?” shared Jay Cutler.
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When posed with a question about the likely leading contender, Cutler immediately pointed to Lunsford, lauding him for his impeccable aesthetics.
“Derek I think [is the frontrunner]. I think Derek because he was second last year, he came up from 212 it was kind of a surprise right? He came in and got the special invitation to get there. He didn’t qualify you know other than an invitation, he didn’t win any Open shows. So for him, you know it was like what did people expect? It’s like the year Ramy – Ramy won too and he had a special invitation that year remember?
There wasn’t much negativity on that, you’d think people would be like, ‘Well he didn’t qualify.’ But they were respectful, he deservingly has the aesthetics right… but you know Hadi also. I mean, who would have thought he would actually come through after being third and fourth? You know, the biggest disappointment I think with the Olympia is like if I look back in the last few years, Brandon was right there, then he won.”
Reflecting on the illustrious history of Mr. Olympia winners, Cutler maintains that Phil Heath has the prowess to still be a formidable contender in today’s competitions.
“Obviously, Shawn [Rhoden] didn’t get to defend the title. Bonac was second one year. Phil [Heath] stopped which I think Phil could have still been very competitive up there. Hard to see Dexter go because we thought he was timeless. I think Dexter still could have found another edge to himself.”
While “The Comeback Kid” avoids making predictions, several legends in the bodybuilding world have voiced strong support for Derek Lunsford. Jay Cutler’s predecessor, eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman, believes Lunsford has what it takes to dethrone Hadi Choopan. Likewise, 1983 Mr. Olympia Samir Bannout has expressed similar confidence, backing Lunsford to win this year’s contest.
If Lunsford secures the 2023 Mr. Olympia title, it won’t just be another victory. Rather, it would make him the first athlete ever to win both the 212 and Open divisions. However, the road to that historic milestone runs straight through Choopan. As a determined and seasoned champion, Choopan stands as Lunsford’s most formidable obstacle.
For a comprehensive insight into Jay Cutler’s thoughts, the full video is available on his YouTube channel, JayCutlerTV:
Overview
Four-time Mr. Olympia winner, Jay Cutler, recently provided insights on the upcoming Mr. Olympia contest, emphasizing Derek Lunsford’s potential dominance. Lunsford’s transition from the 212 Olympia division to the Open has garnered significant attention. With predictions favoring Lunsford to unseat the reigning champion, Hadi Choopan, and the unexpected withdrawal of Big Ramy from this year’s contest, the stage is set for an unforgettable showdown. For a detailed analysis, fans can tune into Jay Cutler’s YouTube channel.
Featured Image – Jay Cutler Touts Derek Lunsford as 2023 Mr. Olympia Front-runner:“He Deservingly Has the Aesthetics” – Credit: @dereklunsford__(Instagram ), @JayCutlerTV (YouTube)
