The Mr. Olympia 2023 was held from the 2nd to the 5th of November, and Derek Lunsford left the entire bodybuilding community stunned as he gracefully claimed Sandow Trophy on stage. His exceptionally massive back and conditioning made him stand out among the other athletes and got him the title this year. However, every year elite bodybuilders have an imaginary pool of sorts. Think fantasy football, except your predictions are highly regarded by the masses. 

This year, while some of them rooted for Chris Bumstead’s confidence, others rooted for Hadi Choopan’s improvisations, there was a lot of hype about Lunsford as well. One such legend’s predictions about his success also motivated Lunsford to win the title.

Ronnie Coleman’s prediction soiled motivation in Derek Lunsford

The king of bodybuilding, Ronnie Coleman, recently took to his official YouTube channel and shared a video, where he met Derek Lunsford for the first time after his prestigious win at the Mr. Olympia 2023, and well, they both were pretty much excited to meet each other.

Ronnie Coleman had predicted Derek Lunsford as the winner ever since the elite bodybuilders started playing the guessing game and well, as per the revelations, it acted as a huge motivation to Lunsford. As they met Coleman congratulated him on his win, and Lunsford shaking the King’s hands, replied, “You called it man. Couldn’t let you down, man.”

Coleman, who himself is one of the GOATs of the sport and a record 8-time winner of Mr. Olympia, was pretty assured of Lunsford taking the title home. This of course, served as motivation for the current champion as the days closed in on the event.

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During the podocast, Lunsford told the GOAT how much his words meant to him and how they motivated him, especially as it became tougher towards the end. “Those last few weeks you know how hard it is man, but I’m telling you man like, you gave me a lot of motivation to keep going.” Derek Lunsford even shared how he felt after taking the title home.

Derek Lunsford talks about winning Mr. Olympia 2023

The 29 YO American Professional bodybuilder hosted an online Live video session with his fans, and in that, he was reminded that he was the first bodybuilder with Mr. Olympia’s wins in two different divisions. Listening to that, in an overwhelming tone, he generously said, “First two divisions champion. Champ, champ. Yeah, unbelievable.”

Read More: Mr. Olympia 2022 Runners Up Derek Lunsford Gives His Final Update Before the Competition: “Put My Heart and Soul Into This Everyday”

This showed the level of gratitude and excitement he had for his win. He also went about thanking all the possible sources that helped him immensely in his journey to the top. The champ said, “All glory to the god. And I say that I mean it from the bottom of my heart. Because there’s no way that I if I were to have done this myself if I would have said this and this and this to myself, it wouldn’t be nearly as good as what actually happens.”

Imagine having Ronnie Coleman on your side! Quite something, huh?