It’s that time of year again. Time to see which titan of fitness will bring home the coveted Sandow.
Will it be the reigning champ Derek Lunsford? Will Hadi reclaim what was once his? Or will another competitor add their name to the elite list of Mr. Olympias?
Let’s take a look at this year’s field:
The 2024 Mr. Olympia Competitors
Derek Lunsford (USA) – Reigning Mr. Olympia
Hadi Choopan (Iran) – 2022 Mr. Olympia
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom) – 3rd Place 2023 Olympia
Theo Leguerrier (France) – 13th Place 2023 Olympia
Rafael Brandao (Brazil) – 10th Place 2022 Olympia
Martin Fitzwater (USA) – This will be his first Olympia
Nicholas Walker (USA) – 3rd Place 2022 Olympia
Tonio Burton (USA) – 8th Place 2023 Olympia
Akim Williams (USA) – 9th Place 2021 Olympia
Brandon Curry (USA) – 2019 Mr. Olympia
William Bonac (Netherlands) – 9th Place 2022 Olympia
Behrooz Tabani (Iran) – This will be his first Olympia
Nathan De Asha (United Kingdom) – 8th Place 2018 Mr. Olympia
John Jewett (USA) – First Open Olympia competition
Mohamed Foda (Egypt) – This will be his first Olympia
Jonathan Delarosa (USA) – 12th Place 2019 Mr. Olympia
Chinedu Andrew “Jacked” Obiekea (United Arab Emirates) – 5th Place 2023 Olympia
Hunter Lebrada (USA) – 6th Place 2023 Mr. Olympia
The links above take you to the competitor’s Instagram.
The Top 5 Competitors This Year
A lot of the names on the above list should look pretty familiar, and others you’re probably seeing for the first time. Rather than going bodybuilder by bodybuilder, let’s take a look at what some experts are calling the top five:
1. Derek Lunsford
The reigning Mr. Olympia champion, Lunsford has been working hard in the offseason to bring up his “problem areas”, being his chest and quads. Some say he’s untouchable on back poses, with the width and thickness that he displays. His recent videos have shown great progress in his lacking areas, along with great conditioning this far out. If he can continue on the track he’s on and come in at peak condition, he’s going to be tough to dethrone.
2. Hadi Choopan
If anyone can knock Lunsford off the top of the podium, it’s the Persian Wolf. With some claiming that Choopan was cheated last year, Hadi has been training like a man possessed with Hany Rambod (who happens to also be Lunsford’s trainer) to make sure there is no doubt who the Olympia champion should be. Bringing a graininess and hardness that is unmatched by any current competitor, if Hadi comes dialed in, the Sandow could be making its home in Iran for a year.
3. Nick Walker
Known to many as “The Mutant”, Walker had to bow out of last year’s Olympia competition due to a torn hamstring. This has only fueled the fire under him to bring an even better package this year than he had last year. There has been some speculation as to how well Walker will do on the Olympia stage, with his qualifying win coming down to a difference of two points. This close win hasn’t done anything to discourage Walker from displaying his trademark confidence (some would call it cockiness), and claim that this year’s competition is between him and Hadi for who takes home the 1st place check. Will he live up to his claim that his physique will shock the world? We shall soon see.
4. Samson Dauda
The Nigerian Lion has been working hard on making sure that he’s going to come in with his conditioning on point. By far the most aesthetic on the list so far, Dauda is looking to improve upon some of his lacking areas to prove he’s a threat to the top competitors. If Dauda can come in shredded to the bone, there’s a good chance he could make it to the top of the podium this year.
5. Andrew “Jacked”
Now, when talking about aesthetics, Andrew Jacked is on a whole other level. Even long-time Olympia emcee Bob Ciccarello has made it known that if Jacked comes in at his full potential, he could be finding his way into the top three this year. If the package he brought to the Texas Pro this year is any indication of what he may look like in Las Vegas, this fan-favorite might be taking home a pretty substantial size check this October.
Other Top Contenders
Obviously anyone that has qualified to be at the Olympia has a shot to win the whole thing, but these are some of the other possibles to make it to prize-money places.
Hunter Lebrada
Son of legendary bodybuilder, Lee Lebrada, Hunter didn’t secure his place at the 2024 Olympia until September 8th by winning the Italy Pro. Placing sixth at last year’s competition, Lebrada is looking to claw his way to the top of the podium. Adding mass to places he needed it, and having some notes to go on so close to the Olympia, we’ll see if he and his coach can make the tweaks necessary to improve upon his best finish.
See what Hunter Lebrada is up to right now
Brandon Curry
The 2019 Mr. Olympia hasn’t been able to recapture the magic that earned him his only Sandow. Finishing 2nd in 2020 and 2021, then dropping to 4th in 2022 and 2023, Curry is looking at an uphill battle, with his somewhat advanced age (41) for this comp, and starting contest prep a little late. This is looking like 6th place might be the highest that Curry will attain this year.
See what Brandon Curry is up to right now
Behrooz Tabani
A name that might ring some bells if you followed the Olympia in 2023. Tabani had qualified for the Olympia, but was unable to secure a visa, meaning he couldn’t travel to the US and had to miss it. This year, with his visa secured, Tabani is looking to make a major mark on the Mr. O stage. Bringing size, aesthetics, and unbelievable conditioning, Behrooz could easily crack the top six in his first showing.
See what Behrooz Tabani is up to right now
Wrap Up
What do you think of this list of potential Olympia champions? Is one of the favorites going to nab the top spot? Or are we going to crown an unexpected Mr. O? Whichever way it goes, this is certainly shaping up to be one of the best and most competitive Mr. Olympias in recent years. If you think we’re sleeping on someone, let us know what your top six looks like in the comments below.
