Derek Lunsford’s stunning body transformation as a Mr. Olympia runner-up, unrecognizable from his years as a footballer

MR OLYMPIA runner-up Derek Lunsford has come a long way as a high school soccer student.

The 29-year-old bodybuilder took second place in the men’s open division behind Hadi Choopan at this year’s glitter competition.

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Lunsford won the 212 division last year and was building up to try to dethrone reigning Open champion “Big Ramy”.

Instead, it was Choopan who relegated US competitors to second place with a shock result in Vegas.

Born in 1993 in Petersburg, Indiana, Lunsford was a born athlete from an early age.

While in high school, he excelled on the football team and was also a promising amateur wrestler.

He recently shared an incredible throwback picture from that era to his 575,000 Instagram followers.

The 5ft 6 Lunsford looks unrecognizable at first glance, with his wiry and toned physique ready for a wrestling match.

He captioned the pics: “Hard work pays off… and it IS POSSIBLE!!

“Yes. I had luxurious hair back then, lmao.”

About ten years after the snapshot, the formerly skinny teenager is now a colossus.

The Mr. Olympia version of Lunsford is a chiseled hunk with huge back muscles, bulging biceps and outrageously defined legs.

A stunned fan replied to the before and after picture: “WOW. Great respect for following your dream.”

Another said: “Great quick-change man!”

A third added: “Wow. Just wow.”

Before Lunsford found fame, he had to get creative at the gym due to the lack of a wrestling program at his chosen college.

He began challenging himself with ever heavier weights and eventually developed a strong interest in bodybuilding.

After teaming up with a personal trainer who put him on the right track, Lunsford made his amateur bodybuilding debut at just 22 years old.

And he would win the first contest he entered, taking welterweight gold at the 2015 NPC Indianapolis Championships.

Since then, Lunsford’s career has gone from strength to strength.

He turned pro in 2017 and unleashed his incredible physique around the world, first at the Mr. Olympia the following year.

The strong man keeps his incredible body fueled up to SIX meals a day and strengthens his grueling weight sessions at the gym.

Lunsford received a “special invitation” to the 2022 competition as he could no longer safely gain weight for the 212 division.

And after his impressive performance as runner-up, he took to social media to congratulate the new champion.

Lunsford wrote: “I’m happy and enjoying the moment but not satisfied.

“I know I can and WILL get better! I hope you all enjoyed the show this weekend.

“Congratulations to the NEW Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan.

“My brother, you looked incredible. All the best to you and your family.”

With his defiant tone since the result was announced, expect Lunsford to return bigger and better than ever in 2023.

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