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Derek Lunsford's Recent Appearance Sparks Debate
The bodybuilding realm is perpetually looking for the next ‘wrap,’ and lately it has been all about the reigning Mr Olympia, Derek Lunsford. His determination, achievements and championship history are well known, but his sudden pairing with other contenders has come under scrutiny.
To be clear, nobody actually thinks Derek is "smoking crack." It's actually a nod to one of the greatest moments in bodybuilding history, when Lee Priest joked about whether Jay Cutler was smoking crack to think he could take on Ronnie Coleman. It became a legend in bodybuilding history, and, of course, if a competitor says or does something that sounds strange, fans have fun bringing the joke back.
This time, however, the discussion isn't about a prediction. It's about Derek's attitude and whether recent interactions have shown this is a deeper issue.
A Different Side of Derek?
Derek was considered to be one of the more subtle players in the bodybuilding ring for the better part of his career. He respected people because he worked hard, was consistent and rose to the top of the sport consistently. River was very professional and focused. Recently, though, it seems that some are beginning to see another champion.
However, his game has not been as sharp and spitty as some fans would wish, nor as fiery as some of his opponents' comments have. But some observers suspect Derek is beginning to feel frustrated by his way to victory at the Olympia; he is no calm or cool athlete who plays by the rules; he's felt the frustration.
But once you are Mr Olympia, it's another story. When you're at the summit, all your competitors want to be at your level. The pressure is so high, and each public appearance is studied in detail.
The Andrew Jacked Factor
The debate about Andrew Jacked has been ongoing for a while now. Andrew isn't just another competitor. He's one of the hardest-to-handle guys in the Open. His mass, composition, form and verve put him in a league of his own when he's next to someone else. Andrew's next big win followed, and the question soon became whether he could advance to the Olympics. Of course, he landed in Derek's lap.
Some of Derek's comments to Andrew were allegedly insincere, according to some fans. They were clearly a race to watch in their eyes. They say that it wasn't about Derek's desire to make fun; it was because he saw someone he considers a serious threat. Regardless, the competition has definitely moved to the forefront of bodybuilding news.
Confidence or Insecurity?
This happened to split opinion.
From a supporter's perspective, Derek is only behaving like a champion. Self-assurance is in business attire. All Mr. Olympia competitors have got to think they could beat the best athletes in the world. He wouldn't win the title if he didn't have that mind-set.
Other critics, however, have other perspectives.
They feel that some of Derek's responses reflect a lack of confidence rather than insecurity. They don't look like they're on top of the sport here, but it sounds like he just seems like he doesn't take too kindly to other guys being noticed.
The reality could be in the middle.
Highly competitive sports professionals are especially prone to a delicate balance between confidence and frailty. They need a tremendous amount of self-confidence to excel, and they understand the risks around them. At times, that awareness tenaciously creates tension perceived by the general public.
The Pressure of Being Mr. Olympia
Many supporters don't understand that defending their title is more difficult than winning it. If Derek was running for Olympia, he was the HUNTER! Now he becomes the one whom they run and fear. Players such as Andrew Jacked, Hadi Choopan, Samson Dauda and Martin Fitzwater are all making it challenging for any champion. All of these are getting better. All of them think they will win!
As a result of that reality, pressure ensues. Champions aren't only playing the game of the body. They are facing the competition of expectations, criticism, predictions and endless comparisons. Each individual interview, appearance and social media post is integrated into the story.
Why Fans Are Talking
That's why Derek's recent appearance has been so widely discussed: it was believable. It's usually easy for fans of the genre to spot when an artist is just trying to hawk their show. This attempted to be different for many observers. The reactions that were observed were apparently sincere, and, of course, there was speculation on what Derek might be thinking. He isn't necessarily disliked by some, as you might think, given his work; rather, he simply doesn't enjoy the buzz surrounding Andrew Jacked.
Others believe that he respects Andrew's honor enough that they know that he is a serious threat. Either way, the bodybuilding community has been captivated. Meanwhile, Andrew doesn't seem too bothered by the issue, which only further piqued fans' interest.
Final Thoughts
In the end, only Derek can know what's really in Lunsford's brain, and that's what makes up the game. The correct answer, however, is that much of the bodybuilding community is talking about him these days. His actions could be perceived as confidence, a competitive fire, frustration or insecurity, but no matter how they're interpreted, people are watching him, so it doesn't matter. As for the upcoming Olympia, all interactions between Derek and his competitors will continue to be studied. See all these athletes standing side by side in the brightest lights of the bodybuilding world and see what type of relationship one will be able to have, because from a few remarks and a lot of tension.