There have been many great bodybuilders grace the stage at the Arnold Classic (nee Sports Festival) in Columbus. The venues may have changed, but ‘stage’ is being used in more of a theoretic way than literal. Some have looked better than others, but the entire group of winners are all champions, nonetheless. A number of them have also won the Mr. Olympia, and the 2025 edition of what is commonly just called “The Arnold” was a special one, indeed, and had many storylines that fit into the aforementioned.
Derek Lunsford stood in the winner’s circle for the first time in Ohio and he brought a package that was even better than the one he had in 2023 when he was named Mr. Olympia. He beat a formidable opponent in Samson Dauda, who swept both the Arnold and Olympia a year ago. Now this sets up what is going to possibly be one of the best Olympias of all time in November. But we digress…
Lunsford, who was a 212 champion before moving ‘up’ into the open category, was dialed in and basically flawless in defeating not only Dauda, but also Andrew Jacked (a solid third place for the up and comer, who we feel will be a winner here and in Las Vegas before he hangs up the posing trunks), former Arnold champions Brandon Curry and William Bonac to round out the top five. Akim Williams came in solid and placed a very respectable sixth.
The winner’s purse for Lunsford was half a million dollars, and he added the Ed Corney Best Poser Award, as well. The Franco Colombu Most Muscular Award was won by Dauda.
Photo: Courtesy of the Arnold Classic/Pro Fitness Photos
