DEREK LUNSFORD
Muscular Development|February 2022
Your NEW 212 Olympia Champion!
GILES THOMAS
DEREK LUNSFORD
I am fortunate enough to have been witness to the rise of Derek Lunsford from day one of his pro career – actually, a week before. After watching him dominate the 2017 NPC USA Championships in Las Vegas, I was stunned to see him chalk up his first pro win just seven days later in Tampa. After an auspicious top-five debut at the 212 Olympia mere weeks later, Derek went on to be runner-up to both the legendary Flex Lewis at his final 212 win in 2018, then to the veteran Kamal Elgargni in 2019. 2020 saw him slide down to fourth place, but everything turned around in 2021. With a new coach in Hany Rambod and a renewed faith in God, Lunsford became the 212 Olympia champion. Our own Giles Thomas spoke with him shortly after. -Ron Harris

First off, congratulations mate. You did an incredible job.

Thank you so much. Yeah, we put it together. It finally worked out.

I wrote in my last “MD Global Muscle Buzz” column before the Olympia that you would be the surprise of the show and shock everyone.

It was exciting. What was really exciting for me was that Kamal and Clarida were both at their absolute best. I’m still a fan of bodybuilding. I made a post on my IG a couple of days after the show with all three of us on stage, saying I have the utmost respect for these great champions. Bodybuilding is a “you versus you” journey, and I said I was honored to be part of their journey and to have them be part of mine. It’s really cool that we all came in and put on a great show.

This story is from the February 2022 edition of Muscular Development.

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This story is from the February 2022 edition of Muscular Development.

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