Terrick El Guindy Predicts the 2025 Mr. Olympia Front-Runners and the Potential Rise of a New Dynasty
Renowned bodybuilding judge Terrick El Guindy recently shared his insights on the top contenders for the 2025 Mr. Olympia, shedding light on the elite physiques he believes will dominate the competition. In a YouTube video uploaded on March 18, 2025, he named Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, and Samson Dauda as his frontrunners for the prestigious title. El Guindy also speculated on whether bodybuilding fans are witnessing the emergence of a new Olympia dynasty.
A Rotating Sandow Trophy: The Battle for Olympia Supremacy
Since the end of Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay’s reign, the coveted Mr. Olympia crown has been passed between multiple athletes. Hadi Choopan captured the Sandow trophy in 2022, only to relinquish it to his teammate Derek Lunsford the following year. However, Lunsford fell short at the 2024 Olympia, paving the way for Samson Dauda to become the 19th man to claim the sport’s highest honor.
Choopan, known for his razor-sharp conditioning and dense muscle bellies, secured second place in 2024 before taking a break from competition to make critical improvements. Meanwhile, at the 2025 Arnold Classic, Lunsford avenged his Olympia loss by defeating Dauda, gaining crucial momentum ahead of their highly anticipated rematch in October.
Terrick El Guindy’s Top Picks for 2025 Mr. Olympia: “A Three-Headed Monster”
In his latest analysis, El Guindy acknowledged that while anyone could rise to the occasion, three former Olympia champions stand as the primary threats heading into the marquee event.
“We have a three-headed monster, right? The three guys that have won the past three Mr. Olympias. They are the favorites. There’s no way around it. They are the favorites. Obviously, we all know anybody can go there and surprise and win. Ronnie Coleman did that in 1998. Nobody had him as a favorite.”
Derek Lunsford: The Momentum-Driven Contender
El Guindy emphasized that if Lunsford replicates the physique he displayed in Columbus, taking him down will be a formidable challenge.
“Derek Lunsford just won the Arnold, possibly his best physique, looked incredible, looked amazing. We don’t know if he’s going to compete or possibly just rest up and compete at the Olympia. But we know that if he shows up with the same physique he showed up with at the Arnold, he is very very hard to beat.”
With his unparalleled 3D muscle fullness, paper-thin skin, and signature V-taper, Lunsford has established himself as a dominant force in the Open division. His ability to combine size with next-level aesthetics makes him a serious threat to reclaim the title.
Hadi Choopan: The Battle-Tested Veteran
El Guindy praised Choopan’s remarkable consistency, highlighting his back-to-back runner-up finishes at the last two Olympias.
“He’s the guy that has been more consistent out of the three. He’s the one that either won or placed second when Derek won, he was second, when Samson won, he was second. He is the most consistent guy in terms of conditioning.”
Fueled by redemption and a relentless work ethic, Choopan remains one of the most dangerous competitors in the sport.
“He carries a beautiful density, and he might be the best poser on the posing rounds when he’s between Derek and Samson. Now he’s had a whole year off, it’s exciting to see what he’ll bring to the Olympia because an angry Hadi Choopan is a very dangerous Hadi Choopan. He can come in and win the title again.”
With unmatched graininess, compact muscle structure, and an impeccable ability to peak on show day, Choopan is a major threat to regain the Sandow trophy.
Samson Dauda: The Mass Monster with Aesthetics
Despite his Arnold Classic defeat, Dauda continues to garner support from industry veterans who believe he has the tools to repeat as Olympia champion.
“The current Mr. Olympia. After the Arnold, I had a conversation with Dennis James, Chris Cormier, and Bob Cicherillo, and I asked them all, after this result, who do you think is the favorite to win the Olympia? And they didn’t hesitate at all. They still had Samson Dauda going into the 2025 as the favorite to win.”
If Dauda steps on stage with enhanced separation and deeper striations while maintaining his immense size, El Guindy asserts that he will be nearly impossible to defeat.
“The argument was that if Samson comes in at his best, based on his lines and size, nobody can beat him. So, that is the point that Samson needs to emphasize. He’s got the lines, but he needs to come in conditioned, and if he does, he might be the man to repeat the Mr. Olympia title.”
The Potential for a New Mr. Olympia Dynasty
With no single dominant champion in recent years, El Guindy theorized that the 2025 Olympia winner could set the foundation for multiple reigns.
“I think, and this is me just speculating here, that whoever wins the second title, this title in 2025, can really open up for more titles in the years to come. They are all fairly young. Nobody has major injuries. Nobody is 48, 49 years old losing muscle mass on the legs.”
While official Olympia contest prep has yet to begin, the battle for supremacy in professional bodybuilding is already heating up. With elite athletes bringing their best packages to the stage, the 2025 Mr. Olympia promises to be one of the most thrilling showdowns in recent memory. El Guindy’s picks stand as the strongest contenders, but as history has shown, anything can happen under the bright lights of bodybuilding’s biggest stage.
Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:
