Open or 212 Division? Derek Lunsford still undecided.
President of Mr. Olympia, Dan Solomon, has the industry buzzing after his recent comments about 212 Olympia winner Derek Lunsford.
Derek is expected to defend his 212 Olympia title with success at the 2022 Olympia Weekend, but since the 2021 Olympia Weekend, Derek has become a totally different bodybuilder.
Just a few months ago at the Pittsburgh Pro, Derek was one of the guest posers at the event. Derek posed with Nick Walker and Brandon Curry and was the crowd favorite.
Derek looked like a veteran open division bodybuilder with his incredible size and balance.
The bodybuilding media and fans noticed and started to dream of Derek moving up to the Open Division.
Dan Solomon talks about Derek Lunsford
In a recent interview on the official YouTube channel of the Olympia Weekend, Dan Solomon explained the situation related to Lunsford to Terrick El Guindy.
“So Derek Lunsford’s situation is more unique than any other. First of all, he is the reigning 212 champion. He hasn’t even had a chance to go in and defend his 212 title yet, that’s the first thing. But then we have a health issue. Not saying Derek has a health issue, Derek is very healthy, so let me be clear about that. Here’s why it’s a health issue. Derek is no where near 212 at this point. We’ve seen it.
“Derek is much bigger than 212. Then, we ask ourselves, what does he have to put his body through to get under 212-pounds. That’s a legitimate question right? We’re all wondering that.” Dan Solomon explained.
“I’ve spoken to his trainer Hany [Rambod]. We all communicated on the viability and the safety of him getting under that weight. So, yeah, the Derek Lunsford matter is one that we’ve never really been faced with.
“That our reigning champion might not even be able to compete in the 212 because his body has grown at such a feverish pace.
“Not only would he probably contend for an Olympia title, or at least be in the mix. I don’t know if he’s winning the Olympia at this point but he’s certainly going to give some people trouble in that top five or six group. Someone told me the other day, that they thought Lunsford had the best back in the world, in any division. I guess that’s up for debate.
“The point being: Derek’s situation is unique because if it comes to a point where we have to evaluate an invitation for him to compete in the big division, that’s a tough one because it’s possible if he doesn’t get that opportunity, he might not be able to be in the show.
“There might not be a place for him in the show. The question for us becomes, do we want to put on an Olympia without Derek Lunsford in the contest? That’s a conversation for you know, Jim Manion, Tyler, Jake [Wood] that we will have to have when that time comes. Right now, we’re not thinking too much about it, but you asked the question, and it’s definitely a good one because Derek has found himself in a situation that we’ve never dealt with before.” – Dan Solomon concluded.
Dan Solomon has some difficult decisions to make as he has two 212 Olympia champions that can easily compete at the Mr. Olympia. Shaun Clarida is already qualified both for the 212 and Open division for the 2022 Olympia Weekend, while Derek is only qualified for the 212 Olympia.
While Derek is only qualified for the 212 Olympia, he either has to qualify for the Mr. Olympia or get a “Special Invitation.”
At the moment, it does not look like Derek is ready to compete at any Mr. Olympia qualifier as he looks to still be focused on defending his 212 Olympia title. The challenge for Derek is that he has to lose a lot of weight for the 212 Division. Derek has just over five months to prepare for the Olympia Weekend, and it is enough time to make weight for the 212 Olympia.
Derek and his coach Hany Rambod have to decide what plan will work best for Derek in regards to keeping him healthy.
If Derek had to receive a “Special Invite” and compete in the Open Division at the Mr. Olympia, he will surely challenge for the top places. Derek has incredible size and if he arrives in his best condition, he can easily place in the top five.
Derek Lunsford is still undecided
Immediately after the comments of Dan Solomon, another interview was published on the official YouTube channel of the Olympia Weekend.
Terrick El Guindy asked the man himself, Derek Lunsford, what he thinks about the 212 or Open Division.
Terrick revealed that 8X Mr. Olympia Lee Haney believes Derek should move up to the Open Division, while bodybuilding legend Shawn Ray believes that he can have great success in the Open Division.
Terrick also revealed that 2019 Mr. Olympia, Brandon Curry, said that he does not care where Derek competes, but will kick his butt if he moves up to the Open Division; Derek could not hold back his laughter.
During the interview, Derek explained that he will give his best, regardless of what division he competes in, but at the same time, he admitted that he will eventually move up to the Open Division.
As it looks, Derek will most probably defend his 212 Olympia title at the 2022 Olympia Weekend, and then move up to the Open Division in 2023 season.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net believes that regardless of what division Derek competes in, he always brings positivity and great sportsmanship to the sport. Derek is a great ambassador for the Olympia brand and he will succeed in whatever he decides to do.
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