Mr. Olympia 2023 Olympia winner Derek Lunsford made history after winning the most prestigious title in bodybuilding. The win made the 29-year-old the first two-division champion in the history of the contest that Joe Weider created in 1965. Lunsford also came close last year as he gave the 2022 champion, Hadi Choopan, a run for his money and finished as a runner-up.

However, this year, the former 212 Olympia champion made significant improvements and snatched the title from the defending champion. Choopan wasn’t happy with the result. The Persian Wolf stormed off the stage after receiving the silver medal and clicking a few pictures. But while Choopan apologized, a section of fans attacked the newly crowned champion on social media. Earlier, Derek Lunsford responded to the comments.

Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford speaks his mind

The champ uploaded a video on Instagram, which he recorded while doing his cardio on the treadmill. The bodybuilding icon revealed he didn’t temporarily shut down his Instagram account. After clearing it up with the fans, Lunsford addressed a more serious topic about getting “negative comments,” on social media after defeating Hadi Choopan.

“I just want to say that there is a point where it does cross the line,” said Lunsford. While the 29-year-old isn’t bothered by a few mean comments, many have targeted his family. Lunsford said that the line gets crossed “whenever my family gets involved. When there’s threats being made to my family or myself.” However, the bodybuilder didn’t have anything negative to say about those who made such comments.

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Instead, the humble champion urged people to abstain from making such comments. “I can’t control what others are going to do or what they’re going to say. I just ask that we’re all respectful to each other,” said the 2023 Peoples Champion. Instead of anger, Lunsford showed respect to bodybuilding fans, including Hadi Choopan’s fans and the former champion himself graciously commented on the reigning champion’s video.

Hadi Choopan responds to Derek Lunsford’s video

Unlike Derek Lunsford, the Persian Wolf isn’t too active on social media. Despite that, the Iranian bodybuilder commented on his brother’s video. “Laugh bro, a hero has negative and positive fans,” wrote the former champion. Choopan said he was happy that Derek Lunsford “is happy” to have created history. He also had a message for his fans.

The 36-year-old asked the fans not to leave negative comments. “I want them to be calm and not to mix competition with being brothers. We are all human and we are all brothers and equals,” said the former champion. While Derek Lunsford might have shown anger against the negative comments against himself and his family, Choopan chose to show humility instead.

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