While fans await one of the best bodybuilding competitions – Arnold Classic 2023, bodybuilder Derek Lunsford shared not-so-happy news with everyone. Seems like Mr. Olympia’s 2022 runner-up has withdrawn from the upcoming competition, Arnold Classic. Despite the hefty prize money and value of participating in the title, Lunsford seems to have made up his mind.

To a newly-married Lunsford, his wife’s advice helped him realize an important thing, which is why he pulled out of the important championships.

Derek Lunsford makes a big revelation

Mr. Olympia 2022 runner-up, was featured on his coach Hany Rambod’s recent episode of ‘The Truth Podcast’. While the coach and bodybuilder duo talked in detail about their Olympia journey, they soon decided to discuss Derek’s future competition plans. Rambod let the bodybuilder reveal the news to the fans and explain his reasons.

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“After 2022 I’m a married man, I felt that this decision that I don’t need to just make on my own. I think this is a decision that I should make with my wife. Because it is a lot of money, as a professional in the sport, for someone that loves bodybuilding, Classic is a prestigious title. So, both those things were making me want to do the Arnold,” Lunsford began.

The bodybuilder seemed quite positive about his participation until his wife’s words helped him realize the importance of health. “I had my wife’s full support, either way, I wanted to go. Her main thing was, ‘I want you to be healthy,’ that has always been her number one thing. ‘If you’re pushing into Arnold and you are doing it unhealthily, I don’t want you to do it.’ And I said, ‘Okay, I agree.’ I’m the same way. Health is super important,” Lunsford confessed.

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Besides his wife, coach Rambod has also supported Lunsford’s decision to take a break from the competing stage. However, besides Lunsford, Charles Griffen to has opted out of the Arnold Classic 2023, citing similar reasons.

Health over trophy

A few days after his name was listed in the official roster of the Arnold Classic 2023 competitors, Charles Griffen announced that he would no longer participate in the prestigious competition.

Via his Instagram stories, Griffen mentioned that he wanted to give both his mental and physical health some rest and prepare himself for Mr. Olympia 2023. Although fans were looking forward to seeing the IFFB pro bodybuilder on the Arnold Classic stage, they supported Griffen’s decision.

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Athletes across the sporting world are realizing the importance of health over competitions, thanks to athletes like Simone Biles, Naomi Osaka, and others, who never shied away from discussing such issues in the open. Hopefully, Derek Lunsford and Charles Griffen’s choices will also help upcoming bodybuilders during such important decisions, in the future.