{"id":23116,"date":"2026-06-23T17:01:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T17:01:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=23116"},"modified":"2026-06-23T17:01:11","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T17:01:11","slug":"chris-aceto-on-750k-olympia-prize-money-and-why-2026-is-derek-lunsfords-show-to-lose-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=23116","title":{"rendered":"Chris Aceto on $750k Olympia Prize Money and Why 2026 Is Derek Lunsford\u2019s “Show to Lose” \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The 2026 Mr. Olympia is approaching quickly, leading Chris Aceto to discuss the event in detail. On June 22, 2026, via YouTube, he opened up on whether the Olympia should raise its prize money and Derek Lunsford\u2019s chances heading into September.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2025, Derek Lunsford<\/a> cemented his legacy in the IFBB Pro League<\/a> with a dominant season. He claimed three consecutive titles at the Arnold Classic<\/a>, Pittsburgh Pro<\/a>, and Mr. Olympia<\/a>. After recapturing the Sandow trophy, he became the first Open bodybuilder to win it back onstage since Jay Cutler.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Derek\"Derek
Derek Lunsford<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Lunsford opted for an off-season to improve his upper body, his rivals carried on. Chinedu Andrew \u2018Jacked\u2019 Obiekea<\/a> emerged as a top threat, claiming over $1 million in prize earnings with victories at the Arnold Classic Ohio<\/a> and UK<\/a> shows. Aceto, who coaches both Lunsford and Jacked, opened up on how the event might play out when competitors meet in Vegas.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chris Aceto Talks Prize Money at Mr. Olympia & Derek\u00a0 Lunsford<\/h2>\n

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In the video, Aceto was uncertain as to whether Mr. Olympia would raise its prize money, and said there wasn\u2019t \u2018a need\u2019 for it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m on the fence this year, I don\u2019t know [If Jake Wood raises prize money beyond $750K].\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019d be great if it did, but yeah, it\u2019s moved awfully fast, awfully quick, the last three years. It\u2019s hard to say. I don\u2019t think there is a need.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cYou don\u2019t think the Olympia, which is the Super Bowl of Bodybuilding, needs to have the number one prize money?\u201d asks Dave Palumbo.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I used to sneeze at it, and off the record make fun of it, and say it was despicable when it was say 200, but if I said that now, it\u2019d be an insult to the people working hard to promote the show,\u201d said<\/a> Aceto.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"Derek\"Derek
Derek Lunsford Wins 2025 Olympia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He argued that if the Arnold Classic offers the most prize money, it detracts from Olympia\u2019s impact on bodybuilding history:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe\u2019re looking at Arnold lineups going forward with that type of money, which they are the Olympia lineups, period,\u201d he said. \u201cYou can\u2019t pass the straight face test, you can\u2019t throw at me Arnold, Haney, Dorian, Jay, Phil, Ronnie, all that stuff, history, it doesn\u2019t matter, none of it matters if the Arnold like has a big discrepancy in prize money.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

According to Aceto, the Olympia is Lunsford\u2019s show to lose, but he refused to count out any contenders, noting they are all capable of bringing their best:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI think he looks great. I think more than anything, it\u2019s his show to lose, more than win. It\u2019s the same exact lineup. By definition, there is no one there who he has not beaten, yet in the same breath, as his coach, there is no one there that can\u2019t be counted out or should be counted out or should be not seen as capable of winning.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the Olympia. It\u2019s a brutal show, right? It\u2019s a brutal show. The dynamics are just so much, meaning if you are coming to the Olympia and you were better last year, you\u2019re not going to get the respect of the judges, no matter what, period.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Aside from Aceto, head judge Steve Weinberger also discussed the 2026 Mr. Olympia. He believes up to eight contenders can battle for gold<\/a> when the event returns. Don\u2019t miss the \u2018Super Bowl of Bodybuilding,\u2019 set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong> Chris Aceto Discusses Who Has The Posing Edge at 2026 Arnold Classic, Reveals Derek Lunsford\u2019s Off-Season Strategy<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the Rx Muscle \u2013 Truth in Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n