2023 Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford is preparing for his Arnold Classic debut in 2025, which will be held from Feb. 28 through March 1, 2025, in Columbus, OH. This will be Lunsford’s first competition since placing third at the 2024 Mr. Olympia contest in Las Vegas, NV, and his first since his former coach, Hany Rambod, retired.
Lunsford has recruited another bodybuilding legend as his new trainer, Chris Cormier. Cormier, known as “The Real Deal,” is best known by modern fans as a media personality, analyst, and trainer. Fans of a previous generation may remember Cormer best as a top bodybuilding star who captivated fans with his combination of shape, size, and posing. Cormier was also one of the most successful athletes off the stage, thanks to being featured on several magazine covers and sponsored by various supplement companies.
Cormier placed as high as third at the Mr. Olympia contest in 1999 and was runner-up at the Arnold Classic six consecutive times. He was one of the most popular pro bodybuilders on the circuit throughout much of the 1990s and 2000s.
Cormier faced off against legends such as Dorian Yates, Ronnie Coleman, Jay Cutler, Flex Wheeler, Shawn Ray, Kevin Levrone, and many others. From 1994 to 2007, Cormier had 11 wins, most notably four Iron Man Pro championships. He graced the Olympia stage 10 times. The only athlete Cormier never beat was Yates. Cormier’s pro show history, as documented by Muscle Memory, is below:
Chris Cormier’s Pro Bodybuilding Results
1994
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 4th
- Grand Prix France – IFBB, 7th
- Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 6th
- Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, 2nd
- Olympia – IFBB, 6th
1995
- Grand Prix England – IFBB, 5th
- Grand Prix France – IFBB, 5th
- Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 4th
- Grand Prix Russia – IFBB, 5th
- Grand Prix Spain – IFBB, 4th
- Grand Prix Ukraine – IFBB, 4th
- Night of Champions – IFBB, 4th
- Olympia – IFBB, 6th
1996
- Grand Prix Czech Republic – IFBB, 8th
- Grand Prix England – IFBB, 8th
- Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 7th
- Grand Prix Russia – IFBB, 8th
- Grand Prix Spain – IFBB, 8th
- Grand Prix Switzerland – IFBB, 8th
- Olympia – IFBB, 7th
1997
- Canada Pro Cup – IFBB, 3rd
- Grand Prix Czech Republic – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix England – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix Finland – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 6th
- Grand Prix Hungary – IFBB, 8th
- Grand Prix Russia – IFBB, 4th
- Grand Prix Spain – IFBB, 6th
- Night of Champions – IFBB, Winner
- Olympia – IFBB, 8th
- Toronto Pro – IFBB, 3rd
1998
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 5th
- Grand Prix Finland – IFBB, 4th
- Grand Prix Germany – IFBB, 4th
- Olympia – IFBB, 6th
1999
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 3rd
- Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
- Olympia – IFBB, 3rd
2000
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 2nd
- Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
2001
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix Australia – IFBB, Winner
- Grand Prix England – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix Hungary – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix New Zealand – IFBB, 2nd
- Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
- Olympia – IFBB, 5th
- San Francisco Pro – IFBB, Winner
2002
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix Australia – IFBB, Winner
- Grand Prix Austria – IFBB, Winner
- Grand Prix England – IFBB, 3rd
- Grand Prix Holland – IFBB, 2nd
- Ironman Pro Invitational – IFBB, Winner
- Olympia – IFBB, 3rd
- San Francisco Pro – IFBB, 2nd
- Show of Strength Pro Championships – IFBB, 3rd
2003
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix Australia – IFBB, Winner
- San Francisco Pro – IFBB, 2nd
- Show of Strength Pro Championships – IFBB, 7th
2004
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix Australia – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix England – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix Holland – IFBB, 2nd
- Olympia – IFBB, 7th
2005
- Arnold Classic – IFBB, 2nd
- Grand Prix Australia – IFBB, 2nd
- Olympia – IFBB, 13th
- San Francisco Pro – IFBB, Winner
2007
- Atlantic City Pro – IFBB, 6th
- Montreal Pro Championships – IFBB, 4th
Trainer and Mentor
Following his retirement, Cormier has taken on multiple roles to stay involved with the sport, including as an analyst and media personality contributing to various shows such as The Menace Podcast and Prime Time Bodybuilding. He began training current-era stars in the gym and with their posing, including two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, two-time Classic Physique Olympia winner Breon Ansley, and Sergio Oliva Jr.
How Will They Do Together?
Lunsford and Rambod worked together throughout the former’s entire pro career. Working with someone else will be a big change, but Cormier is no stranger to training and competing at a high level.
We saw how the new relationship might go when Lunsford trained legs with Cormier in one of their early sessions. Based on that session, the duo could have a bright future together. If it works out as Lunsford hopes, he will win $500,000 and reclaim the title that Cormier never won at the 2025 Mr. Olympia.
Featured Image: @_c3tv on Instagram
