Coleman appreciates Lunsford’s potential and method to the game.
Because the 212 Olympia champion in 2021 and the 2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up, Derek Lunsford doesn’t essentially want endorsements from anybody on the skin trying in. He’s a bona fide fashionable celebrity and appears destined for a prolific bodybuilding career. That mentioned, if there have been an individual to speak Lunsford’s abilities up, there in all probability isn’t a greater choose than eight-time Mr. Olympia champion (1998-2005) Ronnie Coleman.
On June 5, 2023, Coleman posted a video to his YouTube channel the place he known as Lunsford his “favourite bodybuilder” of this currently stacked generation. (Observe: Coleman maintained that he additionally appreciated the exploits of 2023 Arnold Basic (AC) winner Samson Dauda.) Coming from a legend like Coleman, it’s fairly the shining qualifier for Lunsford, particularly after the pair’s shared training session in early April 2023.
Coleman didn’t mince his phrases endorsing each Lunsford and Dauda. Whereas discussing the state of the game, he dove proper into his appreciation for the 2 high-profile health stars.
“My favourite bodybuilder in the meanwhile, let’s see, hmm, Derek Lunsford might be my No. 1 favourite,” Coleman mused. “In all probability my No. 2 favourite … I type of like that man that gained the final [2023] Arnold Basic, his title is Samson Dauda. If I needed to choose any favourite, it’d be [one of] these two.”
As for Coleman’s reflection on bodybuilding as an entire, particularly the place the Males’s Open class stands, the icon thinks the game is in a wholesome place in the case of coaching, nutrition, and dedication to their craft. Given among the athletes’ staggering physiques on show whereas guest posing at the recent 2023 Pittsburgh Pro, Coleman’s wide-spanning evaluation definitely seems to be on the mark.
“I see each technology has its personal period,” Coleman started. “Largely, all of us need to work extraordinarily onerous and weight-reduction plan extraordinarily onerous and make the largest sacrifices ever. So, I believe that the following technology of bodybuilders is a reasonably good class of men. They work extraordinarily onerous. They practice onerous. They weight-reduction plan onerous. I believe the brand new technology is a reasonably good technology.”
Lastly, after some health scares over the past year, Coleman turned his consideration to himself. The retired legend maintained he’s on the upswing and seems to be progressing properly after all of the surgical procedures he’s had on his neck and again over time.
“I’m doing fairly good,” Coleman mentioned. “I’m in nice well being and my final check-up was again in March [2023]. I had a extremely good, clear invoice of well being so far as my final check-up goes. Now, I’ve one other one, in all probability in a few months. So, we’ll see how that goes. However for now, I’m doing fairly good.”
Even in his deserved retirement, Coleman stays a major and influential voice in bodybuilding. Whether or not athletes like Lunsford and Dauda keep their grip on Coleman’s favor stays to be seen. Although, in the event that they’re holding the pedal to the metallic, Coleman will seemingly proceed to sing their praises.
Featured picture: @dereklunsford_ on Instagram