Overview
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 became the 212 Olympia champion in 2021 and the open Mr. Olympia in 2023 and 2025, becoming the first winner of the competition in two divisions in 2023, as well as the first man since Jay Cutler (in 2009) to win back the open title after losing it the previous year.
Biography
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. 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. In October 2021, he won the 212 Mr. Olympia, overtaking the then-current winner, Shaun Clarida.
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. He achieved a second-place finish behind Hadi Choopan in his first attempt competing in the new division. 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. In 2024, Derek fell to 3rd place at the Mr. Olympia. At the end of the season, his coach, Hany Rambod, announced his retirement. Early in 2025, the American announced Brazilian trainer Fabrício Pacholok as his coach and Chris Aceto as his coach.
Competitive history
* 2015 NPC Indianapolis Championships – 1st (Welterweight) * 2015 NPC Junior Nationals – 1st (Welterweight) * 2016 NPC USA Championships – 2nd (Middleweight) * 2017 NPC USA Championships – 1st (Light Heavyweight) * 2017 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 5th (212 lb) * 2018 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 2nd (212 lb) * 2019 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 2nd (212 lb) * 2020 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 4th (212 lb) * 2021 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 1st (212 lb) * 2024 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 3rd (Men's Open) * 2025 Arnold Classic – 1st (Men's Open) * 2025 IFBB pittsburgh Pro – 1st (Men's Open) * 2025 IFBB Mr. Olympia – 1st (Men's Open)
External links
* * * on YouTube * Derek Lunsford wins the 2023 Mr. Olympia on Evolutionofbodybuilding.net