Derek Lunsford Completes a Triple Crown to Regain Mr. Olympia Title [Mr. Olympia Finals Edition]

Derek Lunsford Completes a Triple Crown to Regain Mr. Olympia Title

The Men’s Open final at Las Vegas’s Resorts World Theatre felt more like a coronation than a contest. Derek Lunsford, already the year’s Arnold Classic and Pittsburgh Pro champ, unleashed his bulletproof back double‑biceps and carved 3D muscle bellies to outshine defending champ Samson Dauda, crowd‑favorite Hadi Choopan, and a resurgent Andrew Jacked. Nick Walker missed the final callout, while Dauda’s improved conditioning cost him back fullness. Lunsford secured the Sandow and $600k top prize, sealing bodybuilding’s elusive Triple Crown. Choopan claimed silver and the People’s Champ award, and Jacked scored a career‑best bronze. [See The Sandow Showdown!]

Ramon ‘Dino’ Rocha Queiroz Heralds a New Classic Physique Era

After Chris Bumstead’s retirement left a vacant throne, the Classic Physique final delivered drama worthy of a Rocky montage. Brazil’s Ramon “Dino” Rocha Queiroz rolled into the finals in his best shape ever and unfurled a razor‑sharp front lat spread. Terrence Ruffin’s muscle hardness and Mike Sommerfeld’s sweeping legs kept the judges busy, but it was Dino’s complete package that clinched him the title and $100k. He becomes only the fourth champion in the division’s young history, while Sommerfeld and Ruffin rounded out the podium. [Relive The Dino Dynasty]

Ryan Terry Extends His Reign With a Three‑Peat in Men’s Physique

The Men’s Physique stage was stacked with past champs and hungry challengers, but Britain’s Ryan Terry refused to relinquish his crown. Under the bright lights of Las Vegas, he fended off Afghanistan’s Ali Bilal, a surging Brandon Hendrickson, and a full‑backed Erin Banks. Terry’s symmetrically chiseled torso and polished posing earned him a third straight title and the $50k first‑place check. Bilal settled for silver, Hendrickson snagged bronze, and 2019–2020 champ Jeremy Buendia could only manage eighth place. [Catch The Men’s Physique Posedown]

Maureen Blanquisco Makes a Sparkling Comeback in the Bikini Olympia Division

In a division where too much muscle is as problematic as too little, Maureen Blanquisco threaded the needle. After missing the 2024 title, she returned from injury to deliver an all‑time best look on Oct. 11, reclaiming the Bikini crown with balanced curves and sharp conditioning. The finals were so tight that judges needed extra time to separate six standouts, and Lauralie Chapados—the defending champ—didn’t even crack the top five. Ashlyn Little and Jasmine Gonzalez rounded out the podium while Blanquisco pocketed $50k and her second career title. [See The Glamorous Top Ten]

James Berger Leaps From Eighth to Champion in Wheelchair Olympia

The Wheelchair Olympia always tugs at heartstrings, and this year’s edition delivered the story of a lifetime. With six‑time champ Harold Kelley sitting out, last year’s eighth‑place finisher James Berger seized his moment. Prejudging and finals followed the same script: Berger commanded the stage with polished poses and unrivaled conditioning. He surged past favorites Kevin Secundino and Rajesh John to claim gold—an eight‑place leap in just twelve months. Secundino and John took silver and bronze, respectively, while Berger proved that perseverance pays. [Witness The Inspirational Wheelchair Battle]

Keone Pearson’s 3‑Peat Cements 212 Dominance and Eyes the Open

“The Prodigy” lived up to his nickname by tying Kevin English’s record with a third consecutive 212 Olympia win. Keone Pearson added 10 pounds of lean muscle to his 200‑pound frame without sacrificing symmetry, then used a commanding X‑frame and polished posing to edge out rival Shaun Clarida. The win validated a year of relentless preparation and cemented him as the division’s most gifted athlete. In his victory speech, Pearson hinted at testing himself against the “taller guys” in the Open division by jumping into the Prague Pro. [Read About The Prodigy’s Path]

Andrea Shaw’s Sixth Straight Ms. Olympia Raises the Bar for Women’s Bodybuilding

At 41 years old, Detroit’s Andrea Shaw walked onto the Resorts World stage and made the outcome look pre‑ordained. Working with new coach Damian Segovia in Arizona, she improved her trademark legs - deep cuts and striations from hip to ankle - and dominated prejudging. Her sixth consecutive Ms. Olympia ties Cory Everson’s record and makes her the third‑most decorated champion behind Iris Kyle and Lenda Murray. Judges kept her in the center the entire night, and her posing routine displayed muscle maturity and artistry that left the rest of the field fighting for scraps. Shaw promises to chase the all‑time record rather than retire. [Explore Shaw’s Legendary Six‑Pack]

2025 Olympia Weekend Crowns New Legends and Extends Dynasties

Joe Weider’s 61st Olympia Weekend was more than a bodybuilding contest—it was a $2 million celebration of physical excellence. While Derek Lunsford reclaimed the Men’s Open and banked $600k, the Classic Physique throne passed to Ramon Rocha Queiroz, and Ryan Terry extended his Men’s Physique reign. Andrea Shaw’s sixth Ms. Olympia confirmed her dynasty, Keone Pearson defended his 212 title, and Maureen Blanquisco returned from injury to win Bikini. New champions also emerged: Rhea Gayle took Figure, Michelle Fredua‑Mensah claimed Fitness, Natalia Abraham Coelho reclaimed Women’s Physique, and Eduarda Bezerra upset Wellness. With 11 divisions and record prize money, the 2025 Olympia proved that bodybuilding’s golden age is far from over. [Dive Into All Divisional Winners]

Lunsford didn’t just show up - he showed out. Every pose screamed “champ” 📸💪

The Strength Bulletin