{"id":23580,"date":"2026-06-30T15:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T15:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=23580"},"modified":"2026-06-30T15:05:00","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T15:05:00","slug":"terrick-el-guindy-defends-derek-lunsford-against-critics-theres-never-going-to-be-a-perfect-mr-olympia-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=23580","title":{"rendered":"Terrick El Guindy Defends Derek Lunsford Against Critics: “There’s Never Going to Be a Perfect Mr. Olympia” \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Judge Terrick El Guindy isn\u2019t overlooking Derek Lunsford ahead of his title defense. In a June 26 YouTube video, he fired back against criticism of Lunsford and emphasized that there will never be a perfect Mr. Olympia champion.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

2025 was Lunsford\u2019s year. He achieved the unlikely \u2018Triple Crown,\u2019 laying claim to wins at the Arnold Classic<\/a>, Pittsburgh Pro<\/a>, and Mr. Olympia<\/a>. While Lunsford took an off-season to make improvements, Chinedu Andrew \u2018Jacked\u2019 Obiekea<\/a> was just getting started.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jacked claimed gold at the 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio<\/a> and UK<\/a> shows, securing $1 million in less than a month. When he met Lunsford for the annual Olympia Battle workout<\/a>, their rivalry heated up. Lunsford told Jacked he\u2019d never win the Olympia, which prompted a tense exchange. Looking ahead, El Guindy addressed criticism of Lunsford and why it doesn\u2019t hold up to scrutiny.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Terrick El Guindy Responds to Derek Lunsford Critics, Says There Will Never Be a Perfect Mr. Olympia\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Speaking on Prime Time Muscle<\/em>, El Guindy warned against counting Lunsford out ahead of the Olympia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI\u2019m going to tell you this: a lot of people are talking about Samson Dauda coming in as big as ever. And Andrew has improved; I think his back double biceps now might be the second best to Derek Lunsford. Prepare yourselves to watch a Derek Lunsford that can beat these guys again.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

El Guindy believes history could repeat itself and that hype trains are often derailed at the biggest show of the year:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI love the hype. I think Samson can be Mr. Olympia. I think Andrew Jacked can be Mr. Olympia but as a judge, I\u2019ve seen plenty of hype in my life, and then I witnessed somebody that was the champion deliver onstage why he is the champion,\u201d shared<\/a> Terrick El Guindy.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In response to comments about Lunsford\u2019s lackluster biceps and chest, El Guindy fired back, sharing that there will never be a perfect Mr. Olympia champion.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cAs soon as this guy wins the Olympia, you\u2019re going to forget about how great his biceps are, and you\u2019re going to say we don\u2019t like his lats. Well, every bodybuilder, Ronnie Coleman \u2013 he didn\u2019t have great abs, right? People say Ronnie doesn\u2019t have great abs\u2026 he had everything else great. There\u2019s never going to be a perfect Mr. Olympia.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s time for us to give his credit. Are his biceps the best biceps at the Olympia stage? No. I would say his biceps are above average, that\u2019s it. They are not great. Samson has better biceps. Andrew has better biceps, but I\u2019m here to tell you, he\u2019s got one of the best backs in the world.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

According to El Guindy, the Lunsford-Jacked rivalry is \u2018100% authentic.\u2019<\/a> He added that Lunsford\u2019s muscle density could be the difference-maker when he steps back onstage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cDerek Lunsford has the density to beat guys that are taller, more aesthetically pleasing, just like Dorian Yates did, beating Shawn Ray, beating Flex Wheeler. Derek Lunsford is one of the greatest bodybuilders of all time.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Criticism aside, El Guindy likes Lunsford\u2019s chances moving forward. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is scheduled for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>Terrick El Guindy Says Hadi Choopan Needs Balanced Legs and Conditioning to Beat Derek Lunsford at 2026 Olympia<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n