Derek Lunsford dethroned defending champion Hadi Choopan to win the 2023 Mr. Olympia.
Following a dramatic prejudging round on Friday, Nov. 3, the finals of the 2023 Mr. Olympia was held Saturday night in the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL, and the best bodybuilders in the world showcased their physiques for the judges, thousands of fans in attendance, and more watching around the world on pay-per-view.
The top ten competitors put on a show for the fans, and the judges made them work for each position they were striving to claim.
After numerous poses, comparisons, cheers, a posedown, and a traditional dramatic pause from the announcer, Lunsford stood tall, after a back-and-forth battle with not only Choopan, the defending champion but also with third-place finisher Samson Dauda.
This was Lunsford’s Olympia win in his career, and it had historical significance because he became the first bodybuilder to win both the 212 and Open titles. Earlier in the evening Lunsford was voted the People’s Champion as well, muscleandfitness.com reported.
Both the second and third-place finishers are now automatically qualified for the 2024 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on October 10 -13, 2024.
2023 Mr. Olympia Top Five:
1.Derek Lunsford $400,000
2.Hadi Choopan $250,000
3.Samson Dauda $100,000
4.Brandon Curry $40,000
AMK/TT
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