Bodybuilding historical past was made in Columbus.
Final up to date on March 1st, 2025
Derek Lunsford is the 2025 Arnold Traditional champion. After a detailed spherical of pre-judging on Feb. 28, 2025, the finals have been held within the Battelle Grand of the Higher Columbus Conference Heart in Columbus, OH, on March 1, 2025. Because of his efforts, he left the stage with the Arnold trophy and $500,000, the second-largest prize purse in bodybuilding historical past.
Samson Dauda was the runner-up, and third place went to Andrew Jacked. The highest six finishers are as follows:
2025 Arnold Traditional Outcomes
- Derek Lunsford
- Samson Dauda
- Andrew Jacked
- Brandon Curry
- William Bonac
- Akim Williams
After pre-judging, Dauda, Lunsford, and Jacked have been thought-about the highest three favorites. Come the finals, Jacked fell out of the race and entered the bronze battle towards Curry. Dauda and Lunsford clashed by way of three rounds of head-to-head posing. The followers confirmed their appreciation for them with a standing ovation.
By the third spherical, seven-time Mr. Olympia Phil Heath, on commentary, mentioned Lunsford’s quads have been beginning to fade. He and Nick Miller from Nick’s Energy and Energy, additionally on commentary, favored Dauda in most poses. All of the rivals then took half in a pose down, which the followers loved much more.
Winner — Derek Lunsford
This was Lunsford’s Arnold Traditional debut, and he made essentially the most of it. The 2023 Mr. Olympia winner earned half one million {dollars} and has regained momentum heading into the 2025 Mr. Olympia.
Second Place — Samson Dauda
The 2024 Sandow Trophy winner confirmed up respectfully, but it surely was inadequate to overhaul Lunsford. Nonetheless, Dauda now has further gasoline for his hearth as he prepares to defend his Olympia championship later this season.
Third Place — Andrew Jacked
Jacked was coming off a fifth-place end on the 2024 Mr Olympia, and he wanted this win to qualify for 2025. To compete in Las Vegas, he should win a professional present earlier than Sept. 14, 2025.
Different Notes
Lunsford obtained the Ed Corny award as the very best poser for this competitors and a $10,000 bonus for his efforts. Dauda received the identical prize cash for incomes the Franco Colombu Most Muscular award.
Mike Katz, a former professional bodybuilder, decide, and star of Pumping Iron, obtained the 2025 Arnold Traditional Lifetime Achievement award. Katz was honored through the Saturday evening finals within the Battelle Grand room.
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Featured Picture: @arnoldsports on Instagram
