Tag: king kamali
King Kamali Believes Derek Lunsford Would “Look Small” Against The Top Five In Open Bodybuilding
King Kamali weighed in on how Derek Lunsford would look compared to the other elite competitors in Men’s Open.
It has been weeks now since the conversation began about Derek Lunsford moving to Open bodybuilding. The speculation began when he appeared as a guest poser at the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro next to some of the elite competitors in Men’s Open. This made many believe that he could hold his own if he made the switch. King Kamali is not one of those believers when it comes to Lunsford against the top five.
Lunsford was able to get over the hump during the 2021 Olympia and take home the 212 title. He had been vying for this honor for years and was finally able to reach the pinnacle. Now, it seems as though he has put on more muscle mass this offseason. This has many in the sport doubting his chance at defending his title in 212 this year, including Olympia President Dan Solomon.
READ MORE: Dan Solomon Claims Derek Lunsford Might Not Be In Olympia Without Special Invitation
Derek Lunsford might need a special invitation to compete in Open bodybuilding at this year’s Olympia. Big Ramy received this invitation prior to his title in 2020. He did not earn enough qualification points to make it that way and was given an invitation by the committee. This might be the way that Lunsford needs to work it as well.
It is unknown if Lunsford will ultimately receive this invitation but there is still time. It is clear that he is training for Men’s Open but would he be able to sneak into the top five?
King Kamali Believes Derek Lunsford Would Be Behind Many Competitors
Recently, Nick Walker joined Fouad Abiad on his podcast and discussed the status of Derek Lunsford. Walker finished fifth at the Olympia last year and believes he can climb the leaderboard further. When discussing Lunsford, Walker claimed that he might be able to make the top five. Walker even said that Lunsford could beat him in the future but not this year.
King Kamali went in depth about different competitors that would still finish ahead of Lunsford in Men’s Open.
“I’m just saying that there is going to be a few guys in trouble. So, he can’t beat Hadi. He can’t beat, I don’t think he can beat Ramy if Ramy is in shape. I don’t know, I don think he will beat Brandon if Brandon is in shape but I think he fares very well with all the other guys,” King Kamali explained.
King Kamali then used a quote from Dorian Yates to compare to Lunsford’s situation. Yates was told that if Nasser El Sonbaty built his back that he would lose. Yates responded and said “he’s been training for 18 years. What makes you think he’s going to get a back in one year?”
“Derek is a fantastic bodybuilder. He looks great. Great symmetry. He’s made some great improvements, okay?”
“When he stands next to the top five guys in the Open class of the Olympia, he’s king to look small.”
Where it stands right now, it seems as though Derek Lunsford moving to Men’s Open is not a case of if but when it will happen. When Lunsford decides to make the jump, there will be plenty of eyes on his first show at the next level.
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Patrick Moore Explains The Reason It’s Offensive To Suggest He Move To Classic Physique
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Patrick Moore details why he was annoyed at the suggestion he move down to Classic Physique division.
In 2021, there are now more divisions in pro bodybuilding than there ever has been in the history of the sport. What once used to be squarely one division now has eleven. This allows athletes to determine what kind of ultimate physique they want to achieve and find success in that framework. It also brings a lot of couch critics out of the woodwork. Fans can and will often speculate if a pro competitor would be better off in a different division. Patrick Moore has no plans to leave Men’s Open bodybuilding – and has found it offensive to suggest he does otherwise.
This became clear when King Kamali publicly stated that Patrick Moore should move to Classic Physique. The comment sparked a back and forth reaction between Moore and Kamali and brought their debate into bodybuilding headlines. During our conversation with Patrick Moore, we asked him about this moment so that he could further explain his mentality and why he was annoyed by the comment. In our latest GI Exclusive interview, Patrick Moore explains why it’s offensive to suggest he move down to Classic Physique.
With so many divisions in pro bodybuilding, there are more options than ever for athletes to find success. No one competitor is locked into the division they start in. There has been some debate as to whether or not this is a good thing. Some believe that this dilutes each division and encourages athletes to not push as hard. Supporters find that this brings in more athletes as a whole – and encourages athletes to compete who otherwise wouldn’t try due to the kind of physiques Men’s Open demands.
Some bodybuilders have had great success changing divisions, such as Hadi Choopan, who moved from Men’s 212 to Men’s Open. Many were worried he would fall behind against larger competitors. Ultimately, his risk paid off with consistent top five placings at Mr. Olympia. So when King Kamali suggested that Patrick Moore possibly move down to Classic Physique – it might not have been that crazy of an idea in general.
But from Patrick Moore’s perspective, this comment was unhelpful, unrealistic, and slightly insulting. During our interview, he explains that all it took was one competition where he looked off for the suggestion to come along. In fact, he points out that Kamali had praised his Men’s Open physique in 2019.
Patrick Moore points this out directly during our conversation:
“What lost it for me with him was this was a guy that was giving me praise in 2019 when I was in the open class. So once I come in a little off… so now I should go to Classic? It’s just crazy.”
Patrick Moore also points out that he would need to drop down to about 206 pounds at his height. So he would have to lose quite a bit of weight in order to qualify to compete in Classic Physique:
“So at the Olympia 2019, I was 236 [pounds]. There’s no way – and I was peeled. I had no fat. There was no way I was going to cut down to 206 pounds. So for him to say some ignorant sh*t like that… it’s like he’s miseducating… you’re telling people I should do something that’s impossible.”
Patrick Moore feels that, since King Kamali has a rather large following, his comments are misleading fans to expect something that Moore believes to be impossible. It poisons the well and changes the kind of fan interaction Moore has leading up into the next competition. Moore felt that key aspect is what made the comment disrespectful.
You can watch Patrick Moore explain his comments in full detail by watching our latest GI Exclusive interview segment above!
King Kamali Lifts Car To Save Victim In Car Accident
King Kamali recently helped save a victim in a car accident.
Shahriar Kamali, better known as King Kamali, is a well-known bodybuilder who has remained vocal about the sport. Recently, he used his strength to help someone in danger following a car accident.
On Wednesday, King Kamali posted a video on his Instagram page explaining an incredible story. He was driving with his daughter and saw a car accident. The car was upside down and there was a need for help. Kamali hopped out of the car and went to help any victims.
In his caption on social media, Kamali explains that he had to rip the door of the car off to get to the passenger and proceeded to lift the car to get the victim’s arm out. Unfortunately, the passenger has to have her left hand amputated and suffered broken legs but she is still alive.
“Jesus Christ people… I’m still in shock. Thanking God right now for the strength he has blessed me with because it took everything I had to lift this car off of her arm. Left hand amputated and legs broken but I stayed with her the entire time. The only way to get to her was to rip the fucking door off and I did. #godbewiththem #thankthelordformystrength“
King Kamali remained with the victim until the ambulance arrived and she was able to get the proper care. This incredible feat of bravery and strength is what Kamali has been all about. He banged up his hand in the process but admitted it was worth it.
“2 jammed, 1 dislocated and 1 fucked up.. battle scars from yanking a car door off the hinge. It was worth it helping a fellow human being in need. #kingsworld??“
Kamali has retired from bodybuilding after a long career as an IFBB professional. Born in Iran, Kamali moved to New York and began his career. He gained interest in bodybuilding in college while studying Exercise Physiology at George Mason. This allowed him to learn about about sports nutrition paired with distinctive posing styles.
In 1999, Kamali won the NPC Nationals in the heavyweight division. He went onto finish fourth at the Arnold Classic in 2001. He appeared in three Arnold Classic competitions and two Mr. Olympia’s.
King Kamali last appeared on stage in 2006 at the Atlantic City Pro. Since his retirement, Kamali has remained vocal in the sport attempting to improve it moving forward. It is clear that Kamali has the best interest of bodybuilding but also for human beings as a whole.
Kamali references his incredible strength for being able to pull off the rescue. There was much more to it as he was courageous enough to jump right in. This proves once again that humans can channel super strength in times of need.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
2019 Olympia Mens Open Division Adds Hadi Choopan To The Competitors List!
With The Mens Open Bodybuilding Contest At The 2019 Olympia Being Wide Open, Hadi Choopan Opts Out of Mens 212 and Enters Open. Stranger Things have Happened!