Tag: GI News
WATCH – ‘Kai’ Official Trailer | Kai Greene Documentary
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Watch the official trailer for the Kai Greene biopic documentary – Kai.
Earlier this week, Generation Iron Network revealed the first look teaser poster for the upcoming Kai Greene documentary titled – Kai. Now Generation Iron Network has released the first official teaser trailer for the Kai Greene film. While there is no release date yet for the documentary – the film is set to release later this summer. You can watch the teaser trailer above.
Kai Greene is one of the most iconic and enigmatic pro bodybuilders of the modern era. Though he has been retired for many years now, his persona and presence still looms large over the industry. His popularity is so large that each year he is rumored to return and compete in the Mr. Olympia competition. Many believe he would still be able to win despite being gone from the stage for over five years. Though this has never materialized.
Kai is the first authorized biopic of Kai Greene’s life story. Generation Iron were given unprecedented access to Kai and his archived records from his pro bodybuilding career and his childhood. Narrated directly by Kai himself – the film will provide the most direct look into his mind, life, and evolution to success throughout the years.
Kai Greene is typically known for his cryptic way of speaking – particularly when it comes to his past and his thoughts on key controversial moments in his life. Kai aims to be the definitive revealing chronicle of the real Kai Greene. Behind the cryptic dialogue, behind muscle, and into the true story of The People’s Champion.
Kai Official Synopsis
Kai Greene is one of the biggest modern day legends in bodybuilding both on and off the stage. He’s an athlete, an artist, an actor, and an entrepreneur. But his journey to greatness first started in childhood – when he chose bodybuilding as a form of survival. Growing up in Brooklyn without parents and later locked up in a juvenile correctional facility, bodybuilding became Kai’s source of hope that eventually took him to stardom.
Later in life Kai became one of the most recognizable faces in the fitness industry, praised by Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. His talent was only matched by one singular opponent, his rival and Mr. Olympia champion Phil Heath.
Now witness Kai Greene’s story of survival and climb to success in the first ever all-access documentary chronicling his life and career into the sport of bodybuilding and beyond.
From The Producer Of The Last Dance
In addition to being produced by The Vladar Company and Generation Iron Network – producer Matt Maxson is also attached to the Kai Greene documentary – who is best known for producing The Last Dance.
Emmy nominated Producer Matt Maxson’s The Last Dance starring Michael Jordan took the world by storm in 2020 – becoming one of the most talked about TV events of the year on ESPN and Netflix. He now took his producing talents to the world of bodybuilding and fitness with his involvement in the Kai documentary feature.
Matt Maxon’s other producing credits include Andre The Giant and The Circus: Inside The Greatest Political Show On Earth. Before producing, he spent five years working in production at HBO Sports where he worked on the network’s documentary series 24/7 which garnered 18 Emmy Awards.
The Last Dance received critical acclaim, with praise for its directing and editing. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 96% based on 53 reviews. The documentary series provided the most in-depth look at Michael Jordan’s career with the Chicago Bulls where he played alongside other legendary players such as Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and coach Phil Jackson.
Release Date
The teaser trailer for Kai notes that the film release will be ‘coming soon’ and has not detailed a specific release date as of yet. Generation Iron Network has confirmed that the film will be available on digital by late summer 2022. With it already being July, we can expect the film to be released by August or September of this year.
Kai is directed by Vlad Yudin (Generation Iron, Ronnie Coleman: The King) and produced by both Yudin and Edwin Mejia Jr. (Generation Iron, Ronnie Coleman: The King). It will be executive produced by Matt Maxon, David Gendron, Russ Riggins, and Viviana Zarragoitia.
Stay tuned to the Generation Iron Fitness Network for more updates on the upcoming Kai Greene documentary and expect an official release date announcement in the coming weeks.
Jay Cutler Discusses Past Cycles, Believes Big Ramy Will Win Olympia: ‘I Don’t Know Who Can Beat Him’
Jay Cutler recently discussed some highlights of his career, along with training and different substances.
Jay Cutler has been very vocal during his retirement about different issues and topics surrounding bodybuilding. In a recent interview, he continues to discuss training during his day along with different cycles that he was on. Also, he believes that Big Ramy will win his third consecutive Olympia title.
Cutler burst onto the scene as one of the biggest mass monsters in bodybuilding during his time. After finishing as the runner-up to Ronnie Coleman three times on the Olympia stage, Cutler dethroned the eight-time champion in 2006. This was the first of four titles for Cutler in his career.
Cutler recently sat down for a conversation with Muscular Developement’s Ron Harris for an in-depth discussion about different topics in bodybuilding.
Jay Cutler Reflects On Different Cycles
Jay Cutler had trouble remembering all cycles that he took and what went together. What he did recall was taking over 200 milligrams of testosterone per week. This is when testosterone replacement therapy was not available.
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“TRT didn’t exist right. It’s a very confused term, TRT because everyone’s TRT dosage seems to be different. My dosage, for example, now is around 200 migs a week. Now, like I mentioned, my test score was in the 600s, like 660 or something, which people would say that’s low. Some people would say that’s higher. Depends on who you talk to. I know people who think they need to be over a 1000 to feel healthy, feel recovered, feel like they have enough energy, but everyone’s capability is different.”
Jay Cutler continued to explain how he cycled on and off over the course of his career. One substance that Cutler did not ever try was Trenbolone.
READ MORE: Larry Wheels Talks Experiences On Trenbolone: ‘It’s A Life Living Hell’
This is a substance that has a negative connotation around bodybuilding and powerlifting because of the feeling that is given. Instead of Trenbolone, Cutler said that Parabolan was the big substance during his era.
“I never really experienced the whole Trenbolone thing because back in my era, we had Parabolan. People say it was the same thing but it was only 76 milligrams and you know, maybe you only had to do two a week and you had great results from it.”
With the recent string of deaths in bodybuilding getting attention from competitors, former and current, athletes are beginning to take health a bit more seriously. Despite being in retirement, Cutler continues to make his health a priority and admitted that he is feeling fine.
“I feel my physique is on point. I feel my health records are pretty solid, being 48 years old. There comes a point when you just get tired of the cycling, let’s put it that way. It got to the point, where it was trying to figure out what to take, how to take it.”
Jay Cutler Expects Big Ramy To Win Olympia
Big Ramy is the reigning two-time champion at the Olympia but has had a busy year off stage. He has discussed retirement on different occasions and was forced to miss his guest posing appearance at the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro. Big Ramy recently revealed his weight of 335 pounds, which means he has put on more size while remaining shredded.
Jay Cutler believes that Big Ramy will make it three in a row if he enters the competition in his best shape.
“He still has the physique. If he comes in the best shape, I don’t know who can beat him. It’s hard to say because he’s not saying much. I think it’s just people’s ignorance, to think that because he’s silent he’s finished. But you know, we’ll see how mentally strong he is.”
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Brett Wilkin Looks Massive During Guest Posing Appearance At NPC Twin Cities Open
Brett Wilkin is extremely conditioned at 280 pounds!
Brett Wilkin is one of the up-and-coming talents in the Men’s Open division. He competed at the Arnold Classic back in March but did not put on the performance he was hoping for. Now, it is clear that Wilkin has put on some serious size and made improvements since that event. Wilkin recently appeared on stage as a guest poser during the NPC Twin Cities Open and showed off his size.
Wilkin took to Instagram to share his posing routine and the fact that he was between 275-280 pounds on stage. When looking at the complete package for Wilkin, he does not lack any body part and is extremely conditioned all over.
“Here’s a clip/pics from the guest posing weighing around 275-280lbs. Have a few more guest posings coming up in Denver and Baton Rouge ahead that I’m looking forward to as we continue to progress in this offseason.”
Brett Wilkin finished second at the Chicago Pro last season in his only appearance on stage. This set the bar high for his performance in Columbus but Wilkin landed sixth during the Arnold. In a recent interview with Desktop Bodybuilding, Wilkin expressed interested in competing again this season.
When Will Brett Wilkin Compete Again?
It was assumed that Brett Wilkin would not compete again this season following the Arnold Classic. He would have time to make the necessary improvements to his physique for the 2023 season.
Instead, Wilkin wants to get back on stage to see how he stacks up. If his guest posing appearance is any indication, Wilkin might be prepared.
“Really pushing training. That was the goal. The weight is coming back on. You know, with travel and shit, lost 10-12 pounds but it’s already back on. I was back up to like 274 this morning. I really want to, and I know there’s going to be questions, I really want to compete again this year so I’m going to train really hard over these next few months to compete again in one of the later shows.”
It is unknown what show Brett Wilkin will compete in. He does expect to guest pose at other events over the next few months. It is clear that he has put on size and is improved even from March during the Arnold Classic.
“I might have to go overseas for one of these shows but I’m excited. that’s going to be a lot of fun. I have a chip on my shoulder because I didn’t show out what I’m capable of at the Arnold.”
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Andrea Shaw Talks Judges Expectations & How To Build Muscle Without Getting Too Big In Women’s Bodybuilding
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Andrea Shaw opens up about the delicate balance of expectations in Women’s Bodybuilding by judges.
Andrea Shaw is the current reigning 2x Ms. Olympia champion. And she has no expectations to slow down anytime soon. Her goal is to break the world record and win 11 Ms. Olympia titles. But how does one master the Women’s Bodybuilding division? How does the judging differ from the Men’s Open category? In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Andrea Shaw goes into detail about the delicate balance of building massive size but not growing too large in order to stay in judges good favor.
The classic saying in bodybuilding goes – bigger is better. This is largely in reference to the Men’s Open division. Ever since Dorian Yates started the mass monster era of the sport – it seems every champion tries to out-do the other by getting as massive as possible.
Women’s Bodybuilding is the female counterpoint to Men’s Open. However the same mantra has not always stuck throughout the division’s history. It’s been notoriously known to rattle back and forth between emphasizing femininity while also building massive muscle. This expectation is rather vague – and has led to legendary women’s bodybuilders in the past – such as Bev Francis – to transform her muscle mass back and forth desperately seeking the judges approval.
With the reintroduction of Women’s Bodybuilding to the Olympia weekend – we seem to be in the beginning of a new era of the sport. And Andrea Shaw is the shining light and prime example of what a Women’s Bodybuilding champion should be. It wasn’t easy – and she has been competing since before the Ms. Olympia returned.
During our conversation with Andrea Shaw, she discusses the delicate balance of building the right physique to meet judges expectations and criteria. She breaks down her max lifts and her overall strategy for contest prep.
ABOVE: Andrea Shaw in recent guest posing.
Andrea Shaw grows muscle rather fast. It’s something she’s learned to accommodate for as she trains for the Ms. Olympia. This is especially true due to recent feedback she received from the judges last year. They told her that she no longer needed to build any muscle.
But Andrea Shaw knows she’s capable of getting bigger. This means she needs to be very aware of her diet and training to ensure she can improve – without building more size. While there is no weight limit to the open divisions, this is an example of the different expectation placed on Women’s Bodybuilding.
Not that this is a complaint, Andrea Shaw is taking the advice seriously and changing up her workout routine to focus more on more body fullness, hardness, and conditioning. Rather than bulk up with more size. Much like any other division with a weight limit – Andrea Shaw is using her weight last year as the limit to her size going into the Olympia 2022.
You can watch Andrea Shaw go into detail about Women’s Bodybuilding judging, her training routine, and how she’s balancing out her size in our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above! You can also listen to our archive of full GI Exclusive conversations by visiting our Generation Iron Podcast homepage.
Mike O’Hearn Shares Two New Tricep Exercises To Use During Training Session With Aleksey Mokshyn
Mike O’Hearn showed off two creative tricep workouts to add into the mix.
Mike O’Hearn has been a fitness guru for quite some time. Over time, he has sculpted a physique that has found success as a bodybuilder, model, and actor. Now, O’Hearn continues to work hard in the gym and share some of his knowledge with the next generation.
O’Hearn was joined by bodybuilder Aleksey Mokshyn for a tricep exercise that added some new variations. He told the Ukrainian bodybuilder that it is important to enter the gym with a purpose and understand your goals before the workout begins.
This mindset, along with different workouts and discussions about fitness and bodybuilding, can be heard on The Mike O’Hearn Show, which has been brought to you by Generation Iron and BarBend.
Mike O’Hearn’s Tricep Variations
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Crossover Single-Arm Tricep Extensions
The first of two workouts for Mike O’Hearn and Aleksey Mokshyn begins on the cable machine. The starting position is often seen when training delts but this time, O’Hearn throws in a bit of a wrinkle.
READ MORE: Jay Cutler On Mike O’Hearn And The Rock Not Discussing Natural Status
The two can be seen standing straight up with their elbows bent at a 45-degree angle. From here, the arms are straightened out to work the tricep. O’Hearn explains how it is important to perform this exercise while standing straight up as opposed to bent over.
“You’re going to find pressure on the racks itself. Then you find out that spot there where the balance is. Your body is balanced. It’s not forcing. For me, I like that. I never liked doing cable crossovers where you’re so leaned in that your body is holding it.
It’s not an intense exercise, a very simpleexercisn. It’s a good warmup, a good opener, a good mind-to-muscle connection to start the workout.”
Skull Crushers/Push-Up Superset
The final exercise of the workout is a superset to hit all areas of the tricep. It begins with a variation of a skull crusher performed on the Smith machine. O’Hearn uses just his bodyweight when performing this exercise lowering his body under the bar and driving it up. From there, the duo goes right into incline push-ups, which are also performed on the Smith machine.
READ MORE: Build Sleeve-Ripping Triceps With This Crazy Arm Workout
“He is demanding how much his body works throughout the workout. Not the other way around.”
Mike O’Hearn remains extremely shredded at 53 years old and it is because of workouts like this one. He has remained an active voice in fitness because of his overall knowledge and passion. From here, continue to follow O’Hearn’s tips and tricks on how to get a better pump in the gym.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Flex Wheeler Undergoes Repeat Rotator Cuff Surgery In Left Shoulder
Flex Wheeler has dealt with some serious health issues over the years.
Flex Wheeler is known as a bodybuilding legend for the work he did on stage. Since retiring from the sport, he has dealt with different health issues that he has battled. Most recently, Wheeler took to social media to share that he had to undergo a repeat rotator cuff surgery in his left shoulder.
Wheeler took bodybuilding by storm in the 90s and into the 2000s. He was unable to capture the elusive Sandow Trophy but won the Arnold Classic four times. There are many who would describe Wheeler’s physique as one of the most conditioned during his time. Unfortunately, he has had to battle different issues since his time on stage has ended.
In 2019, Wheeler went through surgery when he suffered kidney failure and blood clots. Because of this, he had his right leg amputated. Toward the end of 2021, Wheeler was hospitalized with COVID-19 and went through a recovery process that lasted a month.
On Monday, Flex Wheeler shared on his Instagram account that he was still at the hospital because his pain was too severe.
Flex Wheeler Dealing With Pain Following Shoulder Surgery
This is not the first time that Flex Wheeler has underwent this procedure. It is a repeat surgery but the pain was severe this time around. Wheeler remains in the hospital from the surgery, which took place on Monday.
“MondayLeft Shoulder surgery AGAIN ..
Repeat rotator cuff repair. It was supposed to be an outpatient surgery.
But they are unable to get my pain under control ??? so, I’m still laying here in a hospital.
Jesus, the amount of pain I’m in and the amount of pain I’ve been through over the past years it’s truly just Mind-bending ?.
HELP??JESUS HELP ME.Amen ??”
In retirement, Wheeler has remained active in the gym. He regularly trains himself but also trains bodybuilders that want to make improvements to their physique.
Flex Wheeler did not disclose how long he would have to remain in the hospital. As usual, Wheeler will continue to battle adversity and make a full recovery from this injury.
Generation Iron wishes a speedy recovery to Flex Wheeler. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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Female Bodybuilder Aleesha Young Shocked At Requests By ‘Closet Muscle Lovers,’ Including Burping And Farting Videos
Aleesha Young has gained some interesting attention because of her physique.
Aleesha Young has found plenty of success on the bodybuilding stage over the course of her career. Since bursting onto the scene in Women’s Bodybuilding, Young has gotten some strange requests from those who seem to like women with muscles.
Young joined the Serious and Silliness podcast to discuss some of the highs and lows of her career. This includes some attention she has gotten because of her physique. The 37-year-old claims that she has received requests from those looking to buy videos of her “burping or farting.”
“I try to keep an open mind, but burping in front of people, selling [videos of] me burping, farting… I’m like, ‘no!’”
“I call them closet muscle lovers… I genuinely am fascinated by what draws people to me, and why. The answer is never the same, which keeps it very interesting to me, and I always try to approach a situation or a fan with an open mind.”
Aleesha Young: “I Have People Openly Be Like ‘Why Would You Want That Much Muscle?’”
Aleesha Young burst onto the scene as an extremely gifted competitor. She won the 2014 NPC USA Championships before moving to IFBB. Her last appearance on stage came during the 2020 Rising Phoenix Pro where she finished fourth. Young has went toe-to-toe with other elite competitors, such as Andrea Shaw and Helle Trevino.
READ MORE: Bodybuilding Grandmother Begins Competing At 69 Years Old, Feels Better Than In Her 20s
After making her claim, Young was questioned further by the podcast host to discuss the nature of these videos.
“Both, or just a video of it. I can’t do it… I don’t blush but I’m totally blushing. I’m like, ‘no, I am not doing that’.”
Aleesha Young continued to discuss some issues she has faced and this includes public perception of her physique. Young goes in depth on some reactions she has gotten from those who do not understand bodybuilding.
“Some of the things people say to me in public, I’m just like, ‘wow, I’m not easily offended but you wouldn’t say anything like that to somebody that was overweight.
I have people that will openly be like, ‘why would you want that much muscle? Why have you done that?’ And I generally laugh. I’m still really girly, I still love makeup, I still love hair, I still love all the ‘girl things’.”
Aleesha Young has not competed since 2020 and there is no plan for her to return to the stage as of now. She continues to train in the gym and keep her physique in top shape. This leaves the door open for a potential return to competition if she wants to throw her hat back into the ring.
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For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Hafthor Bjornsson Calls Out Tyson Fury During Training: ‘Are You Afraid? Show Yourself’
Hafthor Bjornsson continues to prepare for his next opponent and calls out Tyson Fury.
Hafthor Bjornsson has made his debut in the ring and continues to train at a high level. After taking down fellow former strongman Eddie Hall, Bjornsson is ready to take the talent level up a notch. The former World’s Strongest Man has been calling out Tyson Fury in recent weeks and did it once again on social media.
This is not the first time that the two have commented on the idea of a possible fight. At the end of June, both Fury and Bjornsson posted stories on Instagram teasing the idea of a fight. Fury retired from competitive boxing after his most recent victory over Dillan Whyte. For Bjornsson, his last time in the ring was a unanimous decision over Hall.
Fury and Bjornsson have great respect for one another and that showed during their one in-person meeting. If the two stepped in the ring together, there would be many eyes on the event.
Hafthor Bjornsson Calls Out Tyson Fury
Hafthor Bjornsson has lost a significant amount of weight since making the transition from strongman to boxer. He was one of the best in the world lifting weights and still holds the deadlift world record. Now, Bjornsson has put together a shredded physique thanks to the new diet plan and training regimen.
Along with his coach Billy Nelson, Bjornsson had just put in a huge workout to better his skills. He then took to Instagram to make a statement to Tyson Fury.
“Hey guys I hope you’re having a great, great day. I just finished my second session of the day, had a good session with my coach Billy Nelson. But hey, I have a question for one guy. Tyson Fury, where the F**k are you? I thought you said you’d come to Iceland. Are you afraid? Show yourself.”
To this point, there are no plans for a fight between Fury and Bjornsson but the idea is in the universe. Fury might have retired from boxing but he did not close the door on ideas like this that could draw a large audience and payday for both sides.
Hafthor Bjornsson brings incredible size and strength but Fury is a different animal. He is a champion with incredible footwork and instincts. Could Bjornsson actually last in the ring? It would be interesting to see how the fight would play out.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Kai Greene Documentary ‘Kai’ Receives New Teaser Poster With Announcement Film Is “Coming Soon” This Summer
The Kai Greene story will be fully revealed with the release of the biopic ‘Kai’ later this summer. Check out the new first look teaser poster.
Last year, the Generation Iron Network announced production on a documentary chronicling the life story of Kai Greene – with the involvement of The Last Dance producer Matt Maxson. Now the studio has released the official teaser poster of Kai and have announced that the film will be coming soon later this summer. Notoriously known for his cryptic words and mysterious past – Kai will explore Kai Greene’s life story from childhood through his bodybuilding career and into his post-retirement life. It will be the most comprehensive and direct look into the life and mind of one of bodybuilding’s biggest modern legends.
Kai Greene is a former professional bodybuilder and one of the biggest modern day legends in the sport. Known by his nicknames ‘The Predator’ and ‘The People’s Champ’, he is decorated with multiple major bodybuilding victories including five Arnold Classic victories. Check out the official teaser poster below:
Beyond his accolades, Kai Greene was also known for adding a new form of poetry into the sport of bodybuilding. He would often wear mysterious masks and unique costumes to his posing routines. Kai is a painter, a writer, and an all around creative artists. He saw bodybuilding as yet another form to express his artistry. His creativity breathed life into modern bodybuilding.
However, Kai Greene’s journey towards bodybuilding greatness was not easy. He was born straight into struggle that followed him throughout his life. Kai grew up in a broken household full of verbal and physical abuse. He was taken from his parents by the state and put into orphanages only to eventually get arrested at school and put into juvenile detention. This is where he discovered bodybuilding.
Upon leaving juvenile detention, he used his improved physique to become a male exotic dancer to make money. He slowly gained the confidence to compete in bodybuilding shows, eventually earned his pro card, and build himself up into the icon we know today.
His mixture of creativity and bodybuilding prowess turned him into a crossover success. He gained roles in television and movies including a particularly memorable highlight in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
Kai chronicles Kai Greene’s life story from childhood, through bodybuilding, and onto his latest goal – to create and release a graphic novel series through a major publisher titled Chronicles of King Kai. The documentary will cover in-depth the pinnacle moments of his life and career including his rivalry with Phil Heath, his reasons for retiring from the sport, and his traumatic past.
Most notably, it will be the first ever authorized biopic about Kai Greene’s life. And it will also bring into direct focus the true facts and drama of his life. Known for his cryptic way of discussing his past – all secrets will be fully unveiled.
Emmy nominated Producer Matt Maxson’s The Last Dance starring Michael Jordan took the world by storm in 2020 – becoming one of the most talked about TV events of the year on ESPN and Netflix. He now took his producing talents to the world of bodybuilding and fitness with his involvement in the Kai documentary feature.
Matt Maxon’s other producing credits include Andre The Giant and The Circus: Inside The Greatest Political Show On Earth. Before producing, he spent five years working in production at HBO Sports where he worked on the network’s documentary series 24/7 which garnered 18 Emmy Awards.
The Last Dance received critical acclaim, with praise for its directing and editing. It won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Documentary or Nonfiction Series at the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 96% based on 53 reviews. The documentary series provided the most in-depth look at Michael Jordan’s career with the Chicago Bulls where he played alongside other legendary players such as Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, and coach Phil Jackson.
Kai will be directed by Vlad Yudin (Generation Iron, Ronnie Coleman: The King) and produced by both Yudin and Edwin Mejia Jr. (Generation Iron, Ronnie Coleman: The King). It will be executive produced by Matt Maxon, David Gendron, Russ Riggins, and Viviana Zarragoitia.
While an exact release date has not been announced. It has been confirmed by the Generation Iron Network that the film is completed and “coming soon” – set to release later this summer.
Dan Solomon Claims Derek Lunsford Might Not Be In Olympia Without Special Invitation: ‘Derek Is Much Bigger Than 212’
Dan Solomon and the Olympia committee are weighing all options when it comes to Derek Lunsford.
Derek Lunsford reached the pinnacle of the 212 division during the 2021 Olympia when he defeated Shaun Clarida for the Sandow Trophy. After reaching this level, Lunsford has put on some incredible muscle mass in the offseason — so much so that he might not be ready for 212 come December. Olympia President Dan Solomon recently spoke on the potential decisions regarding Lunsford.
Lunsford pulled off the upset of Clarida in October after years of work to reach the top. Now, Lunsford could be ready to take the next step. The 212 champion appeared on stage during the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro in May as a guest poser. He appeared alongside Nick Walker, Brandon Curry, and Hunter Labrada as he filled in for reigning two-time Olympia champion Big Ramy.
During this appearance, it was clear that Derek Lunsford was able to stack up with other mass monsters in Men’s Open. This is when the conversation began about Lunsford potentially moving to Open bodybuilding. That time might come quicker than expected.
Dan Solomon: “Derek Is Much Bigger Than 212”
Obviously, Derek Lunsford is qualified for the 2022 Olympia after winning last year. The problem is, he might be too big to return to the 212 division and defend his title. This is a situation that is unique and has the Olympia committee going over different options.
In a recent YouTube video with OlympiaTV, Solomon discussed the possibility of Lunsford moving to Open bodybuilding.
“Derek is much bigger than 212. Then, we ask ourselves, what does he have to put his body through to get under 212-pounds. That’s a legitimate question right?
First of all, he is the reigning 212 champion. He hasn’t even had a chance to go in and defend his 212 title yet, that’s the first thing. But then we have a health issue. Not saying Derek has a health issue, Derek is very healthy, so let me be clear about that. Here’s why it’s a health issue. Derek is no where near 212 at this point. We’ve seen it.”
It is extremely uncommon that a reigning champion at the Olympia is in a position like this. Because of this, Dan Solomon also mentioned a scenario where Lunsford is left out of the show completely.
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Could Derek Lunsford Miss The Olympia?
If Derek Lunsford is unable to compete in 212, he will require a special invitation to Men’s Open. If this does not happen, here is a legitimate chance that Solomon and the Olympia committee prepare for a show without Lunsford.
“So, yeah, the Derek Lunsford matter is one that we’ve never really been faced with.
That our reigning champion might not even be able to compete in the 212 because his body has grown at such a feverish pace.”
“Derek’s situation is unique because if it comes to a point where we have to evaluate an invitation for him to compete in the big division, that’s a tough one because it’s possible if he doesn’t get that opportunity, he might not be able to be in the show.”
Derek Lunsford is clearly one of the top bodybuilders in the world and could have the chance to stand alongside the best at the Olympia in Men’s Open. There are man who believe that Lunsford could finish in the top five if he made the jump. While this remains a legitimate possibility, Solomon and the rest of the committee are not deep into thought just yet.
“The question for us becomes, do we want to put on an Olympia without Derek Lunsford in the contest? That’s a conversation for you know, Jim Manion, Tyler, Jake Wood that we will have to have when that time comes. Right now, we’re not thinking too much about it.”
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.