{"id":9066,"date":"2026-01-12T22:18:51","date_gmt":"2026-01-12T22:18:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=9066"},"modified":"2026-01-12T22:18:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-12T22:18:51","slug":"derek-lunsford-offers-advice-to-nick-walker-says-samson-dauda-will-come-back-and-finish-top-3-at-2026-mr-olympia-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=9066","title":{"rendered":"Derek Lunsford Offers Advice to Nick Walker, Says Samson Dauda Will Come Back and Finish Top 3 at 2026 Mr. Olympia \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Derek Lunsford<\/a> is taking a closer look at the Men\u2019s Open division following the 2025 Mr. Olympia. In a recent video, aired on Nov. 18, he offered advice to Nick Walker and predicted Samson Dauda would re-enter the top three at the 2026 Mr. Olympia.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The last Mr. Olympia contest flipped the Open class on its head. Samson Dauda<\/a> entered as the reigning champion but left Vegas in fourth place. His physique lacked its usual pop, and his legs appeared downsized, which led to the big drop.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The finals featured a three-man war between Lunsford, Hadi Choopan<\/a>, and Chinedu Andrew \u201cJacked\u201d Obiekea<\/a>. Ultimately, Lunsford improved in the finals with a harder package and reclaimed the Sandow trophy. Meanwhile, favorite Nick Walker mistimed his peak<\/a> and fell to sixth place. Taking stock of the landscape, Lunsford discussed what\u2019s next for some of his biggest threats.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Derek Lunsford Discusses Walker\u2019s and Dauda\u2019s Future\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the video, Lunsford first opened up about his rivalry with Choopan:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe have a rivalry, right? Not only do we have a rivalry because we went back and forth the last few years, but my previous coach was also his coach. Whether they worked together this year or not, I don\u2019t know. I think that was a pretty interesting dynamic. I have a lot of respect for Hany for coaching me in the last few years.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He urged Walker to stay resilient despite his disappointing performance at the Mr. Olympia.<\/p>\n

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