Just a few weeks ago, Derek Lunsford stepped onto the stage at the 2026 Mr. Olympia as the reigning champion and one of the top favorites to win the entire competition. After his victory in 2025, he had the opportunity to defend his title and confirm his status as the best bodybuilder of today. But this year’s Olympia brought a completely different outcome.
Nick Walker surprisingly fought his way to first place, winning his first Sandow Trophy. Samson Dauda took second place, and Lunsford had to settle for third. For the two-time Mr. Olympia champion, this marked another major turning point in his career.
And while fans are still debating the results of this year’s competition, head judge Steve Weinberger has now revealed what Lunsford needs to change if he wants to reclaim the title.
Steve Weinberger: Lunsford Needs Bigger Legs
Weinberger commented on Lunsford’s physique during an Instagram video posted on November 5. According to his assessment, the former champion demonstrated very good competition readiness. However, he sees a problem in the overall development of the lower half of the body.
“I think he looked great. But his legs could have been a little bigger. His definition was good,” Weinberger said .
According to the head judge, the size of his legs is one of the areas Lunsford should focus on in his future training. In professional bodybuilding, it’s not just about the amount of muscle mass. The overall balance of the physique, the proportions of individual muscle groups, and their presentation during the mandatory poses are also crucial.
Even a relatively small difference can affect the final ranking at the highest level.
Definition Was Not the Main Issue
What is particularly interesting about Weinberger’s statement is that he assessed Lunsford’s competition readiness positively. He did not suggest that the former champion primarily needed to significantly reduce his body fat. Instead, he highlighted muscle development.
For Lunsford, this provides important insight for his future preparation. If he wants to compete for the title again, the biggest change may not be another attempt at more extreme definition, but rather improving the proportions between his upper and lower body. However, it is important to note that this is Weinberger’s assessment, not an official explanation from all the judges as to why Lunsford finished third.
Nick Walker Shakes Up the Men’s Open
Nick Walker’s victory this year significantly reshaped the balance of power in the Men’s Open category. Walker returned to the Olympia in excellent shape and managed to defeat not only defending champion Lunsford but also Samson Dauda. Moreover, his triumph has reignited the debate over the role that muscle mass, hardness, symmetry, and overall aesthetics should play in judging professional bodybuilders.
Several former champions have weighed in on these very issues in recent weeks. Eighteen-time champion? Not quite. Eight-time Mr. Olympia winner Lee Haney, for example, has pointed out the risks of placing too much emphasis on extreme definition. However, Weinberger’s assessment of Lunsford suggests that further reductions in body fat may not be the only decisive factor in a return to the top.
Developing specific muscle groups can also play an important role.
Will Lunsford Return to the 2027 Arnold Classic?
One of the biggest questions right now is when Derek Lunsford will step back onto the competition stage. The 2027 Arnold Classic will take place March 4–7 in Columbus, Ohio. Lunsford already won this prestigious competition in 2025, and if he decides to compete again, he would immediately be among the top favorites.
However, his participation has not yet been confirmed. On the other hand, Nick Walker has already announced that he is preparing for the 2027 Arnold Classic. A potential showdown between the two competitors could thus offer another chapter in the rivalry that significantly influenced this year’s Olympia.
Can Derek Lunsford return to the top?
Lunsford has already shown several times throughout his career that he can bounce back from setbacks. After winning the 212 Olympia in 2021, he moved up to the heaviest weight class and won his first Mr. Olympia title in the Men’s Open division in 2023. After finishing third in 2024, he managed to bounce back a year later and win again.
Now he faces another similar challenge. If he manages to improve his lower body while maintaining his strengths, he could once again be one of the top contenders for the title in his next appearance. Weinberger’s assessment, meanwhile, offers a fairly clear message.
Lunsford doesn’t necessarily need to be significantly harder. According to the head judge, bigger legs, in particular, could help him return to the top.
Developing underdeveloped muscle groups is a challenge not only for professional bodybuilders but also for anyone who wants to achieve a more balanced physique. For example, if you’re trying to build leg muscle mass, the most important factors are proper load settings, gradual progression, and sufficient calorie intake. Adequate protein intake is also essential for building and maintaining muscle mass, which you can supplement with GymSupps XWhey Protein. GymSupps Creatine Monohydrate can also be beneficial during intense strength training. When taken at a daily dose of 3 grams, creatine enhances physical performance during repeated, short-term, high-intensity exercises. However, even high-quality supplementation cannot replace systematic training and adequate recovery, which are essential for the long-term development of muscle groups.
No posts have been made yet.
