• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

Breaking Muscle

  • Fitness
  • Workouts
    • Best Shoulder Workouts
    • Best Chest Workouts
    • Best Leg Workouts
    • Best Leg Exercises
    • Best Biceps Exercises
    • Best Kettlebell Exercises
    • Best Back Workouts
    • Best HIIT Workouts
    • Best Triceps Exercises
    • Best Arm Workouts
  • Reviews
    • Supplements
      • Best Pre-Workout
      • Best BCAAs
      • Best Testosterone Boosters
      • Best Bodybuilding Supplements
      • Best Creatine
      • Best Supplements for Weight Loss
      • Best Multivitamins
      • Best Collagen Supplement
      • Best Probiotic
      • Best Non-Stim Pre-Workout
      • Best Greens Powder
      • Best Magnesium Supplements
    • Protein
      • Best Protein Powder
      • Best Whey Protein
      • Best Protein Powders for Muscle Gain
      • Best Tasting Protein Powder
      • Best Vegan Protein
      • Best Mass Gainer
      • Best Protein Shakes
      • Best Organic Protein Powder
      • Best Pea Protein Powder
      • Best Protein Bars
    • Strength Equipment
      • Best Home Gym Equipment
      • Best Squat Racks
      • Best Barbells
      • Best Weightlifting Belts
      • Best Weight Benches
      • Best Functional Trainers
      • Best Dumbbells
      • Best Adjustable Dumbbells
      • Best Kettlebells
      • Best Resistance Bands
      • Best Trap Bars
    • Cardio Equipment
      • Best Cardio Machines
      • Best Rowing Machines
      • Best Treadmills
      • Best Weighted Vests
      • Concept2 RowErg Review
      • Hydrow Wave Review
      • Best Jump Ropes
  • News
  • Exercise Guides
    • Legs
      • Back Squat
      • Bulgarian Split Squat
      • Goblet Squat
      • Zercher Squat
      • Standing Calf Raise
      • Hack Squat
    • Chest
      • Bench Press
      • Dumbbell Bench Press
      • Close-Grip Bench Press
      • Incline Bench Press
    • Shoulders
      • Overhead Dumbbell Press
      • Lateral Raise
    • Arms
      • Chin-Up
      • Weighted Pull-Up
      • Triceps Pushdown
    • Back
      • Deadlift
      • Trap Bar Deadlift
      • Lat Pulldown
      • Inverted Row
      • Bent-Over Barbell Row
      • Single-Arm Dumbbell Row
      • Pendlay Row
News

Flex Lewis Believes Derek Lunsford Will Be First Olympia Champion in 2 Divisions

Lewis thinks Lunsford is on track toward history.

Written by Robert Zeglinski Last updated on Jul 18, 2023

Derek Lunsford could be the next heir apparent to true bodybuilding greatness. Already a former 212 Olympia champion (2021), Lunsford shined in his Men’s Open debut at the 2022 Olympia, finishing as the runner-up to the titanic Hadi Choopan. With more seasoning under his belt, some members of the bodybuilding community think he’s on the precipice of a genuinely unique achievement.

On July 17, 2023, James “Flex” Lewis posted a video to his YouTube channel where he had a conversation with Lunsford about his current place in bodybuilding. With Lunsford now a full-time Men’s Open class member, Lewis endorsed his peer’s chances at becoming the first bodybuilder ever to win in two separate Olympia divisions (212, Men’s Open).

Rivals Become A Friendship Forged With Iron

More from Breaking Muscle:

  • The Best Bodybuilding Workout for Each Body Part
  • How to Build Muscle: The Guide for Beginners and Advanced Lifters

A seven-time 212 Olympia champion (2012-2018), Lewis enjoyed a friendly rivalry with Lunsford toward the tail end of his reign, most notably overcoming the young runner-up during the 2018 edition of the contest. That might make Lewis more equipped than most to understand what Lunsford is capable of at bodybuilding’s highest levels.

Lewis maintained he’d kept a close eye on Lunsford since his sole 212 title in 2021 and that he unquestionably sees him as the athlete to beat in November in Orlando, FL.

“Going into this year’s Olympia [2023], I said to so many people, ‘Derek Lunsford is the one,'” Lewis explained. “That [2023] Pittsburgh Pro, that blew my mind and everyone else’s. I thought to myself, ‘Thank god that guy’s not in the 212 [division] anymore.’ I also said to myself, ‘Thank god I am not competing in the Open class against this guy.’ I also said, ‘whoever is going to be standing next to that guy is in for a handful.'”

Beyond talking about Lunsford’s physique, Lewis all but painted him as the inevitable first-ever “champ-champ” — the first bodybuilder in history who could win a title in two major Olympia divisions.

With a victory at the 2023 Olympia, Lunsford very well might live up to this billing.

“What you’ve done since the 212 is honestly so inspiring,” Lewis told Lunsford. “You say that you were never able to dethrone me, but you know what I can say about you, is, I might have beaten you in the 212 class but now you’re going to be, in my eyes, the first ever champ-champ.”

Lewis expressed that one of the goals of his competitive career was to win an Olympia title in two divisions. The icon never competed in a division outside of the 212 at the tentpole bodybuilding contests. Now that those days are behind him, he will live vicariously through Lunsford’s exploits.

“It was my motivation to be the first-ever two-division champ-champ,” Lewis said. “You now, whether you thought about it or not, it was consuming for me … I’ll never be able to achieve that now that I’m retired. I want to see you go to the moon and back.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Derek Lunsford (@dereklunsford_)

More from Breaking Muscle:

  • Try This Beginner Bodybuilding Routine If You’re Looking to Build Mass
  • How to Eat More for Muscle and Strength Gains

Lewis isn’t the first bodybuilding legend to put his faith in Lunsford at the 2023 Olympia. Eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman (1998-2005) and long-time trainer Miloš Šarčev have both previously expressed their belief in the young superstar’s chances at historic success.

Now Lunsford will just have to live up to the hype.

Featured image: @dereklunsford_ on Instagram

About Robert Zeglinski

Robert is a seasoned and adept editor and writer with a keen, passionate penchant for the writing craft. He's been a leader in newsrooms such as SB Nation, USA TODAY, and WBBM Newsradio, with various other content and art production teams, and first made a name for himself in his hometown of Chicago. When not knee-deep in research or lost in a stream of consciousness for a thorough piece, you can find Robert inhaling yet another novel, journaling his heart out, or playing with his Shiba Inu, Maximus (Max, for short).

View All Articles

Related Posts

Mitchell Hooper performing preacher curls.
Mitchell Hooper Tackles Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Brutal Back and Biceps Workout
Samson Dauda celebrates winning the Men's Open division title at the 2023 EVLS Prague Pro show.
2023 EVLS Prague Pro Results: Samson Dauda Dominates Second Straight European Show 
World's Strongest Man Mitchell Hooper performs an 800-pound deadlift.
Mitchell Hooper Attempts 3 of Ronnie Coleman’s Heaviest Lifts Ever
Team USA and Team UK take a photo together after competing in the 2023 Giants Live World's Strongest Nation competition.
Team USA Topples Team UK for 2023 World’s Strongest Nation Title

Primary Sidebar

Latest Articles

New Year’s Fitness Sales (2025)

XWERKS Motion BCAA Review (2025): A Registered Dietitian’s Honest Thoughts

Assault Fitness AssaultBike Pro X Review (2025): Assault’s Best Bike Yet?

13 Best Exercise Bikes for Home Gyms (2025)

Transparent Labs BCAA Glutamine Review (2025): The Key to Post-Workout Recovery?

Latest Reviews

Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt

Element 26 Hybrid Leather Weightlifting Belt Review (2025)

Omre NMN + Resveratrol, Lifeforce Peak NMN, and partiQlar NMN on a red background

Best NMN Supplement: Fountain of Youth in a Bottle? (2025)

The Titan Series Adjustable Bench on a red background

Titan Series Adjustable Bench Review (2025)

A photo of the NordicTrack Select-a-Weight Dumbbells on a red background

NordicTrack Adjustable Dumbbell Review (2025): Are These Value Dumbbells Worth It?

woman lifting barbell

Be the smartest person in your gym

The Breaking Muscle newsletter is everything you need to know about strength in a 3 minute read.

I WANT IN!

Breaking Muscle is the fitness world’s preeminent destination for timely, high-quality information on exercise, fitness, health, and nutrition. Our audience encompasses the entire spectrum of the fitness community: consumers, aficionados, fitness professionals, and business owners. We seek to inform, educate and advocate for this community.

  • Reviews
  • Healthy Eating
  • Workouts
  • Fitness
  • News

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • RSS Feed

© 2025 · Breaking Muscle · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclaimer · Accessibility · About