<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
There\u2019s no denying what Derek Lunsford accomplished last season. Winning the Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr. Olympia in the same year is a historic run. Few bodybuilders have ever put together a season like that, and it cemented his place among the sport\u2019s elite.<\/p>\n
But here\u2019s where I think Derek Lunsford is getting ahead of himself.<\/p>\n
Recently, he pushed back against critics who claim bodybuilding doesn\u2019t have a dominant champion right now. While I understand why he feels that way, I don\u2019t think anyone should be walking into the Olympia believing the title is already theirs.<\/p>\n
Especially this year.<\/p>\n
In a recent interview, Derek Lunsford questioned how anyone could say there isn\u2019t a dominant bodybuilder in the Open division.<\/p>\n
His argument is pretty straightforward.<\/p>\n
He beat the best guys three different times last season.<\/p>\n
Not just once.<\/p>\n
Three times.<\/p>\n
He pointed to victories at the Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh Pro, and Mr. Olympia as proof that he\u2019s clearly the top athlete in the division. He also noted that some competitors skipped certain contests, essentially saying if they weren\u2019t there to challenge him, that\u2019s on them\u2014not him.<\/p>\n
From his perspective, it\u2019s hard to argue with those accomplishments.<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s where I disagree\u2026<\/p>\n
Bodybuilding has one of the shortest memories in sports. You\u2019re only as good as your last show.<\/p>\n
Every prep starts with a clean slate. Nobody gets extra points because they won last year.<\/p>\n
The judges don\u2019t care what happened at the Arnold. They don\u2019t care what happened in Pittsburgh. They only judge what stands in front of them on Olympia weekend.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s why I think Derek Lunsford should be careful about talking as if he\u2019s untouchable. Confidence is important. Overconfidence can become dangerous.<\/p>\n
And it\u2019s not like Derek needs more reasons for fans not to like him. He\u2019s already got enough haters to last him a lifetime.<\/p>\n
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