Derek Lunsford — Biography & Career
Derek Lunsford was born on May 14, 1993, in Petersburg, Indiana, USA. As a youth, he was active in sports like soccer and wrestling, but eventually discovered his passion for bodybuilding during college — under the guidance of a personal trainer
In 2015, he entered his first major amateur bodybuilding contest, the NPC Indianapolis Championships, and won in the Welterweight division.Over the next two years he added successive NPC junior and national titles, culminating in earning his IFBB Pro card in 2017.
Lunsford made his professional debut at the 2017 IFBB Tampa Pro (212 lb division), winning that show and earning a bid to that year’s Mr. Olympia, where he placed 5th. Over the following years, he competed consistently in the 212-lb division of Olympia, often placing among the top.
In March 2021, Lunsford started training under coach Hany Rambod, which marked a turning point in his physique and competitive approach. Later that year, he won the 2021 Mr. Olympia 212 title — his first Olympia win.
In 2022, Lunsford accepted a special invitation to compete in the Open division of the Mr. Olympia. In his first Open Olympia attempt, he placed 2nd behind Hadi Choopan.
He followed that with a historic victory in 2023, when he won the Open Men’s Mr. Olympia — making him the first bodybuilder in modern history to win Olympia in two different divisions (212 lb & Open) in his career.
Though he dropped to 3rd place in the 2024 Mr. Olympia, he bounced back by reclaiming the title in 2025, cementing his status as one of the most successful bodybuilders of his generation.
Beyond the stage, Lunsford is known for his disciplined training, strong work ethic, and ability to combine muscle mass with symmetry — proving that even a 5′6″ bodybuilder can dominate in an era often favoring height and size
