PIKE COUNTY – History was made when Derek Lunsord won the 2025 Arnold Classic. “What an incredible weekend!” said Former Pike County resident Derek Lunsford. “There is so much to be grateful for and so many people to be thankful for.” Lunsford said the entire weekend was a sold out event, “I think that’s a testament to where bodybuilding is right now.”
Even though the world was surprised at Lusford’s win, his mother knew he could do it. “All the predictions leading up to the Arnold had Samson winning and Derek coming in second or third,” said Lusford’s mother, Javona Miller. “His falling back to third place in the Mr. Olympia 2024, switching coaches and sponsor, and opening a gym made most people doubters.”
His winning is a big deal. “It has not been typical for a reigning Mr. Olympia to compete in other competitions,” said Javona. “The Mr. Olympia title is the world’s most prestigious bodybuilding title and most save their physics to regain that honor for the next year. These athletes put their bodies through a lot to perform on stage. The Arnold Classic has been considered the second most prestigious title in bodybuilding. Last year the Arnold announced they were raising the prize money to $500,000.00 which I am sure enticed several competitors. The media was saying that this year’s Arnold Classic Show had a stacked line up with three former Mr. Olympia title holders competing; Samson Dauad (2024), Derek Lunsford (2023), and Brandon Curry (2019). In addition, Samson, Brandon, and William Bonac are former Arnold Classic Title Holders with Samson 2023, Brandon 2019 and 2022, and William 2018 and 2020. This was Derek’s Arnold Classic debut as he has only competed on the Olympia stage for the last eight years. Derek competed and conquered some of the best in the world. This also sets up the 2025 Mr. Olympia contest as one of the most exciting in years.”
His mother said that most competitors “save” their physics for the Mr. Olympia title. “Derek had followed suit and was doing that even though he had contemplated competing in the Arnold prior to this year,” said Javona. “Coming off his third place win in the 2024 Mr. Olympia he had several other setbacks that hit him as well. Most call them setbacks; I call them God closings doors so that the right ones could be opened. We also found out that my mother (Derek’s Grandma) had metastatic bone cancer in November. She is probably Derek’s biggest cheerleader and has not missed any of Derek’s events since he started out in T-ball in 1998. Derek was determined to do the Arnold in honor of his Grandma so that while her health would still allow, she could watch him compete.” Javona added, “Unfortunately, the morning of prejudging she just did not have enough strength to make the trip.”
Even though Lunsford’s Grandma couldn’t make it, “we were blessed to get to watch Evie watch her dad during prejudging,” said Javona. “She stood up on my lap pointing at the big screen saying Dadda, Dadda.” She hasn’t missed any of her son’s competitions. “Seeing Derek achieve another one of his goals was amazing!,” she said. “I am so proud of his resilience. He has extremely large dreams or goals and extremely large beliefs and not just for himself but to bless others as well.”
In his winning speech he stated, “I want to dedicate this win to anyone who has been dealing with something, a setback a struggle, a troubling time. I don’t usually do this kind of thing, but I feel it in my heart. I have had a lot of things that have come up since the Olympia that have really weighed me down and have put doubt in my mind. I just want to dedicate this to you to give you hope, inspiration, and to believe in yourself. Go big, go for it, even when you have those doubts and be who God called you to be. So, with that being said, I want to praise my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
Miller said her son will be competing for Mr. Olympia 2025, which will be held in Las Vegas October 10 and 11, 2025. She said he has several guest appearances around the world with the first one being at FIBO in Cologne, Germany.
To find out more about Lunsford, check out his social media at https://www.youtube.com/@dereklunsford_; https://www.instagram.com/dereklunsford_/; his gym in St. Pete, FL opening soon at https://www.instagram.com/champselysium/; and www.Dereklunsford.com
He has a new videographer, Christian Haines, https://www.instagram.com/cmyvision_/ and new coach, Christ Aceto “The Real Technician” (@therealtechnician) https://www.instagram.com/therealtechnician/
Lunsford sponsors include JOCKO FUEL – Jocko Fuel; MegaFit Meals – High-Quality Meal Prep; TLF Apparel | Exclusive Gym-To-Street Wear®; Helimix | The World’s Most Innovative Protein Shaker Bottle; Newtech Wellness; Guided Optimization & Premier Telehealth | Marek Health; https://protanusa.com
Other information concerning Lunsford include: https://fitnessvolt.com/derek-lunsford-profile/; https://www.muscleandfitness.com/flexonline/flex-news/derek-lunsford-wins-the-arnold-classic-2025; https://generationiron.com/derek-lunsford-profile-stats/; https://barbend.com/derek-lunsford-wins-2025-arnold-classic/; and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Lunsford
First printed 3/20/25
