• 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-Workouts
      • Best Whey Protein
    • Equipment
      • Best Home Gym Machines
    • Certifications
      • ISSA Review
  • 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

Ronnie Coleman Believes Derek Lunsford is Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay’s Top Challenger at the 2022 Mr. Olympia

Coleman thinks Lunsford has the chops to hang with the best of the best.

Written by Robert Zeglinski Last updated on December 15, 2022

At the 2022 Mr. Olympia, reigning two-time champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay will be a heavy favorite to finish a “three-peat” in taking home his third straight title. However, with a mark like that sitting on the table, Elssbiay is bound to have a huge target on his shredded back from any number of contenders. According to one legendary bodybuilder, on Dec. 16-18, 2022, Elssbiay should actually be most wary of a newcomer to the Men’s Open division.

On Dec. 12, 2022, eight-time Mr. Olympia Ronnie Coleman (1998-2005) appeared in a video on Muscular Development Magazine’s YouTube channel. In offering some pre-contest analysis of the field coming to Las Vegas, NV, Coleman maintained that he thinks former 212 champion (2021) Derek Lunsford is the most likely athlete to push Elssbiay for the title. Lunsford will make his first appearance as a Men’s Open competitor after transitioning from the 212 division in late Summer 2022.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=DtjPU4JePEM

More from Breaking Muscle:

  • How to Do the Turkish Get-Up for Total-Body Strength and Conditioning
  • Try These Hotel Workouts to Stay Fit During Holiday Travel

Coleman didn’t mince words in his endorsement of Lunsford. Even while he ultimately believes Elssbiay will still retain his Olympia title, Coleman asserted Lunsford is the only competitor who can potentially match Elssbiay’s total package.

“Derek [Lunsford] is the only one that’s pretty close to him [Elssbiay] right now that’s got everything,” Coleman said. “He’s really complete; he’s got a lot of thickness and everything.”

Another prime contender for the Olympia, Hadi Choopan, was also someone Coleman highlighted. However, from his perspective, the all-time great noted that Lunsford’s physique is just more polished by comparison.

“I think height makes a difference, as well as conditioning and thickness, and I think Derek [Lunsford] is close to being complete,” Coleman explained. “Hadi Choopan is really good in some areas and not so good in some other areas. He’s not complete like Derek [Lunsford] is right now, but anything can change.”

As for how Coleman viewed the top five at the 2022 Olympia shaking out, he didn’t make a firm commitment to a prediction. To him, any number of Lunsford, William Bonac, Brandon Curry, and Choopan could be in line for a second-place result to Elssbiay.

“Man, it’s so hard right now, I know so many good guys, but I see ‘Big Ramy’ [Elssbiay] first, then second it could be [William] Bonac, he is looking real good,” Coleman said. “Then Brandon Curry always looks pretty good, and then these new guys coming in here Derek [Lunsford], and I don’t think Andrew [Jacked] can place that high … for the second, it’s going to be between [William] Bonac, Hadi [Choopan], Derek [Lunsford], and Brandon [Curry]. Four guys can place second, I think.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOufyGbsOpQ

More from Breaking Muscle:

  • The Ultimate At-Home Chest Workout for Bodybuilding
  • 10 Lateral Raise Variations For Bigger Shoulders

The 2022 Mr. Olympia might be Elssbiay’s to lose. That said, if an icon like Coleman thinks Lunsford has the tools to topple the Egyptian giant, then a tight battle could be in store on the Las Vegas stage.

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

Recommended Articles

Mamdouh "Big Ramy" Elssbiay posing on stage
Ronnie Coleman Breaks Down 2022 Mr. Olympia Contenders, Predicts “Big Ramy” Win
Hunter Labrada intense face 2022
Hunter Labrada Reflects on Disappointing 2022 Olympia, Will Be More Active in 2023
Nick Walker Reflective, Black and White in the Gym January 2023
Nick Walker Reflects on 2022 Mr. Olympia Performance, Thinks He Could’ve Fared Better
Hadi Choopan 2022 Olympia Winner
Hadi Choopan is the 2022 Mr. Olympia

Primary Sidebar

Latest Articles

Bodybuilding Fixture Johnnie Jackson Teases Masters Comeback at Age 52

Powerlifter John Haack Deadlifts an Astonishing 415 Kilograms (915 Pounds) for a PR and Unofficial World Record

Seven-Time 212 Olympia Champ Flex Lewis Predicts Top 10 at 2023 Arnold Classic

Chris Bumstead: “All I Want to Do is Win Olympias.” Quashes Any Arnold Classic Rumors

Latest Reviews

ISSA Personal Trainer Certification Review

ISSA Personal Trainer Certification Review

Best Whey Proteins for Packing on Muscle, Shredding Down, Meal Replacement, and More

Best Pre-Workouts for Building Muscle, Running, Taste, and More

Best Home Gym Machines

Best Home Gym Machines

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

© 2023 · Breaking Muscle · Terms of Use · Privacy Policy · Affiliate Disclaimer · Accessibility · About