The Men’s Open landscape has changed drastically in a single weekend. In a September 28 video, coach Chris Aceto recapped Nick Walker’s epic victory at the 2026 Mr. Olympia. Looking back on the event, he believes Derek Lunsford actually brought the sharpest conditioning of the lineup.
Las Vegas, Nevada, served as the ultimate proving ground for the world’s best bodybuilders. Though Derek Lunsford, Andrew Jacked, and Samson Dauda headed into the contest as the on-paper favorites, it was Walker who emerged victorious. “The Mutant” won with lights-out conditioning and strong mandatory poses, which he improved with better waist control.
In the end, former two-time champ Derek Lunsford dropped to third place. In the show’s aftermath, he admitted that he felt off and said his muscles weren’t firing correctly. Despite saying as much, his coach, Aceto, doesn’t believe Lunsford missed the mark at the 2026 Mr. Olympia.
Chris Aceto Says Lunsford Was Most Conditioned at 2026 Mr. Olympia, Argues Walker Won on Muscularity
In the video, Aceto analyzed some of the poses between Lunsford and Walker. Overall, he thought Lunsford showcased more detail from the back:
“I would flip a coin [on the front double biceps pose]. I will say this: I really liked the way Nick has improved,” said Aceto. “I think the only person who had a Christmas tree [on their back] was Derek.”
“I thought his condition was the best in the show. I think the level of muscularity, which is different from condition, Nick had the most amount of muscularity in the show. Then, I think Samson at the finals; the judges saw it as okay. Well, tonight, Samson has the combination of muscularity and condition.”
As for the side triceps pose, he thought Lunsford’s legs had more polish on them, whereas the most muscular went to Walker without question.
“I like the lower body of Derek. Well, Nick has got a bigger leg from the side. Derek has the crazy condition on the side leg. I can see it splitting hairs there [in the side triceps pose]. I don’t know. Nick is bigger through the actual arm.”
“That’s why I’m stuttering on that because I thought, in person, I would have had Derek throughout the prejudging [on side triceps pose]. It’s the fullest his pecs have ever been. Yeah, most muscular is Nick’s bursting arms. Front lat: Derek, but Nick has improved that a lot.”
Although the night did not go in Lunsford or Jacked’s favor, Aceto didn’t dispute the results. He also gave his thoughts on Dauda’s impressive runner-up finish.
“By their own judging, which I’m not in dispute of, they didn’t contradict themselves. They just judged what was in front of them, again, at the finals. They decided, you know what? Just because Samson, we all had him third in the prejudging, we are marking the scorecards with what we’re seeing right now.”
“In other words, the two guys that were in first and second, one point separating them. Out of prejudging, even that had no factor on how they judged the finals.”
The Men’s Open division isn’t at a standstill despite Walker being crowned as the new champion. Already, he and Andrew Jacked have confirmed their entries for the upcoming 2027 Arnold Classic. Should Walker secure the victory, he’d not only become a two-time Arnold Classic champion, but he’d rake in well over $1 million in prize earnings in less than six months.
The sport continues to change and evolve at a rapid pace. Fans look forward to seeing who will reign supreme at the 2027 Arnold Classic, set for March 4-7 in Columbus, Ohio.
Watch the full video from the Rx Muscle – Truth in Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:
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