The biggest bodybuilding weekend of the year has arrived. The 2025 Joe Weider’s Olympia Fitness and Performance Weekend returns to Las Vegas, NV, October 9-12, and the main event is the 61st edition of the Mr. Olympia competition.
The Men’s Open competition will feature twenty athletes from ten countries. Four of these men have won the Sandow Trophy during their illustrious careers. Those four men want to keep it that way, while the rest of the field wants Bob Cicherillo to announce ‘and new’ on Saturday evening.
Pre-judging will take place at the Resorts World Theater on Friday, October 10, with the finals taking place the following evening. Below is the full lineup for the Men’s Open.
Open selection Olympia men 2025
PAST CHAMPIONS
Samson Youth
The reigning and defending world champion is Samson Dauda, who will attempt to become the first man since Big Ramy to win two Olympic Games in a row. The 19th Mr. Olympia champion has traveled the world spreading the message of bodybuilding but is now determined to bring a second Sandow to Britain. Expect the champion to be bigger than last year as he looks to push his fitness even further. If these targets are met, he will be difficult to beat. If he shows up like he did in 2024, he will be in for a long weekend.
Derak Lunsford
Ever since Derek Lunsford tasted defeat in 2024 when he finished in third place, he has been determined to re-establish himself as the number one man in the sport. Lunsford has won the Arnold Classic and the Pittsburgh Pro this season. He will attempt to achieve a rare feat by winning both the Arnold and Olympia in the same year. The last to do it was Brandon Curry in 2019, who is also in this lineup. Adding the Pittsburgh Pro made this Lunsford’s personal “Triple Crown” of six-figure sweepstakes.
Hadi Chopan
“The Persian Wolf” has won silver each of the last two years after winning the 2022 Olympia. Choopan and Lunsford are both trying to become the second man to regain the title after losing it on the podium. Jay Cutler was the first in 2009. Choopan has kept quiet and quiet, aside from the odd post on social media. Don’t get so twisted, though. He’s done a lot of lifting. His conditioning will be among the best in the lineup. If he has some extra mass and the other two favorites deviate even a little, Eugen Sandow will return to Iran.
Brandon Curry
The 2025 Olympia will be historic as four past champions will share the podium. One of these is Curry, who was the winner in 2019 but finished in ninth place a year ago. According to many experts, he is not one of the favorites, but his contribution to the sport –
especially as Mr. Olympia during the first year of the pandemic – commands respect. Even though he’s over 40 now, don’t expect him to just roll over in Las Vegas.
TOP PARTICIPANTS
If neither of these men is the last man standing on Saturday night, then we have a twentieth Mr. Olympia champion, and it could very well be one of these men.
Nick Walker
After missing the last two Olympias, “The Mutant” is eager to get back on the Olympia stage. Nick Walker placed second to Lunsford in a tiebreaker at the Pittsburgh Pro and went on to claim his third New York Pro ring. As fans have seen in his videos and posts, he is big, conditioned and ready. Experts knock his shape and symmetry, but his muscularity and intensity make up for that. He came third at the 2022 Olympia and will accept nothing less than gold here.
Martin Fitzwater
Some fans may have forgotten that Martin Fitzwater finished fourth in 2024, but with the buzz from the other champions and Walker making headlines, ‘The Martian’ has no problem flying under the radar again. The problem for him this year is that he has never beaten Walker on the podium. If he wants to compete against the last three champions again, he will have to change that.
Andreas Jacked
Andrew Jacked rounded out the top five a year ago and could cause problems if he maintains his fitness this year. He has the size to assist Dauda and the form to hold his own against Lunsford. This year it won’t be enough for him to be on the first call; he wants a medal and gold if possible.
REMARKABLE OLYMPIA DEBUT
The rest of the field have all earned their place among the best in the world, but there are a few who will be doing so for the first time.
Behroz
After three years of trying and being denied, the fourth time was the charm for Choopan’s compatriot. Behrooz Tabani will make his long-awaited Olympia debut and coach Milos Sarcev admits he is biased but thinks he could be a contender to win based on how he looked when he arrived in the United States.
Brett Wilkin
“The Butcher” Brett Wilkin also had to drop out of the Olympia when he last qualified, but will make his first appearance on the big stage. Wilkin will be a dark horse, but could very well end up in the top 10 or even top six if things work out in his favor.
Urs Kalecinski
Former Classic Physique pro Urs Kalecinski finally took the plunge by competing in the Men’s Open, and he already has two victories to his name. This will be his debut at the Men’s Open Olympia and fans can’t wait to see him rank among the best in the world in his new division.
Sasan Heirati
Sasan Heirati worked hard and competed often at the beginning of the year, but ended his 2025 season on a two-show winning streak. His first appearance at Olympia will be unforgettable for him, and the experience he gains could stand him in good stead in 2026 and beyond.
By the end of this weekend we will definitely know who is Mr. Olympia of 2025 will be. However, we now know one thing for sure. This has the potential to be the most competitive Olympia in history. If you’re not at the Resorts World Theater, make sure you’re near a screen so you can see the history. For more information about the 2025 Olympia Weekend, visit www.mrolympia.com and subscribe to the M&F newsletter to stay up to date on all things bodybuilding and fitness.
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