Bodybuilding veteran Lee Priest 🇦🇺 is known for his unfiltered honesty — and his recent comments on Derek Lunsford 🇺🇸 at the 2025 Mr. Olympia have stirred major controversy on Posing. Priest didn’t hold back, claiming that Lunsford came into the show “in guest posing shape” and that his lat spread looked like a “waterlogged beached whale.”

“I don’t get that wow factor from looking at him,” Priest said bluntly. “He just didn’t look like the best bodybuilder in the world on that stage.”

Priest’s critique added fuel to ongoing discussions about Olympia judging standards and how much conditioning matters compared to structure and symmetry. While Lunsford claimed his second Sandow trophy, many, including Priest, felt his physique lacked the sharpness seen in previous years.

In a detailed breakdown of Lunsford’s presentation, Priest said the front lat spread pose made the champion appear bloated and flat. He compared Lunsford’s pose directly to Andrew Jacked 🇦🇪, praising Jacked’s sharper detail and balance.

“His front lat spread … Andrew has got all the lines through his chest. He just looks like a waterlogged beached whale doing a fucking lat spread.”

Priest continued, saying Lunsford’s overall stage presence felt dull and uninspired:

“He looked smooth. Not shredded, not crisp. It was more like guest posing condition — not Olympia-winning condition.”

The six-time Olympia winner’s sharp words reflect his belief that Lunsford didn’t bring his best package and that the judges rewarded name recognition over true onstage superiority.

“Guest posing shape… you’re meant to be the best of the best. Get it right on the day,” Priest added.

Priest further argued that champions should bring an undeniable, eye-catching presence that immediately dominates the lineup — something he says Lunsford lacked in 2025.

“When you’re the champ, people should look at you and go, ‘Wow.’ I didn’t see that with Derek this time,” Priest explained. “It’s not that he looked bad, but for Olympia level? He just looked like one of the guys.”

He emphasized that balance, crispness, and detail are what separate good physiques from great ones. While praising Lunsford’s proportions, Priest said the presentation fell flat, especially next to elite competitors like Samson Dauda 🇬🇧and Martin Fitzwater 🇺🇸.

“He’s got structure and flow, sure — but you can’t just stand there and hope your shape wins. You need that conditioning that makes the crowd gasp.”

 

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A Veteran’s Perspective on Conditioning and Standards

As a former IFBB Pro who competed during the high-conditioning eras of the 1990s and early 2000s, Priest believes today’s athletes sometimes rely too heavily on fullness rather than grain and separation.

He said modern bodybuilders must find the right balance between size and sharpness — especially at the Olympia level.

“It’s not about being the biggest. It’s about being the best-prepared. The ones who nail conditioning are the ones who get remembered.”

Priest’s comments echo sentiments shared by other veterans who believe the sport’s top stage should reward extreme precision and presentation, not just structure.

2025 Mr. Olympia — Top 3 Finishers

Despite the harsh criticism, Priest did acknowledge that Lunsford remains one of the most complete bodybuilders in the sport today. His balance, posing, and consistency continue to set him apart — but Priest’s remarks serve as a wake-up call.

Lunsford will likely aim to silence critics at the 2026 Arnold Classic and prove that his Olympia victory wasn’t a matter of name or reputation.

If anything, Priest’s brutal honesty may push the reigning champ to bring an even sharper, more dominant package next season.

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