Each October, Las Vegas becomes home to the sport’s most respected competition. The 2025 Olympia took place from October 9-12 at Resorts World Theatre, gathering elite athletes from around the globe to compete across 11 divisions. This weekend represents the culmination of years of dedication, discipline, and sacrifice for competitors who push human physiology to its absolute limits.

Derek Lunsford captured his second Mr. Olympia title in the Men’s Open division, completing a triple crown by winning the Arnold Classic and Pittsburgh Pro earlier in the year. He joined Jay Cutler as only the second bodybuilder in history to regain the Mr. Olympia title after previously losing it. The women’s divisions showcased equally impressive performances, with Andrea Shaw claiming her sixth consecutive Ms. Olympia championship and Maureen Blanquisco earning her first Bikini Olympia title.

What Makes Olympia the Ultimate Test

The Olympia stage offers the highest level of competitive bodybuilding. Athletes spend years preparing their bodies through precise nutrition protocols, calculated training splits, and meticulous attention to every detail of their physique. This competition separates good bodybuilders from great ones through an assessment of muscle size, symmetry, conditioning, and stage presence.

The Men’s Open division saw one of the closest competitions in recent history, with Derek Lunsford earning the title through his complete conditioning and fuller upper body development. Remarkably, Lunsford battled illness during the individual posing round but still presented an undeniable package that earned him the $600,000 top prize. Hadi Choopan secured second place with his signature granite conditioning, while Andrew Jacked delivered a career-defining performance to claim bronze.

Female Division Highlights

Andrea Shaw’s sixth consecutive Ms. Olympia title solidified her place among the all-time greats. Her dominance in the division continues to set the standard for female bodybuilding, combining mass, conditioning, and presentation that few can match.

The Bikini division saw a changing of the guard as Maureen Blanquisco claimed the top Olympia title. Blanquisco’s balanced proportions, muscle maturity, and confident stage presence earned her the crown in one of the most competitive divisions of the weekend. Competitors in this category must strike a careful balance—too much muscle loses the aesthetic judges seek, while insufficient development won’t stand out on the Olympia stage.

Eduarda Bezerra took home the Wellness division win, which is in its fifth year at Olympia, and is only the third woman to join that rank. Natalia Abraham Coelho took the Women’s Physique Olympia title, while Michelle Fredua-Mensah took Fitness Olympia, and Rhea Gayle won the Figure division.

The Role of Expert Coaching

Behind every Olympia champion stands a team of specialists who guide their preparation. Coaches analyze weekly progress photos, adjust macronutrient targets, modify training protocols, and make critical decisions about peak week strategies. These professionals understand the nuances of bringing an athlete to their absolute best on competition day.

The relationship between coach and athlete becomes paramount during the final weeks before competition. Water manipulation, carbohydrate loading, sodium intake, and training adjustments must be timed perfectly. A coach who has worked with multiple Olympia competitors brings invaluable experience to these decisions, recognizing subtle signs that indicate whether an athlete is on track or needs immediate intervention.

Many top bodybuilders work with the same coach for years, building trust and understanding that allows for precise adjustments. The ability to stay calm in comparison and radiate confidence, as Lunsford demonstrated despite his illness, often comes from thorough preparation guided by experienced coaching. Coaching decisions can make or break an Olympia run, determining whether an athlete stands on the podium or watches from the audience.

Final Thoughts

Watching athletes transform their bodies through years of disciplined effort reminds us that meaningful achievement requires sustained commitment. The Olympia showcases what becomes possible when someone dedicates themselves entirely to a goal, supported by expert guidance and an unwavering vision of excellence.

The lessons from this sport extend to any pursuit worth mastering. Strategic planning, attention to detail, recovery management, and performance under pressure apply whether you’re building a business, developing a skill, or chasing personal goals.

About Elisa Edelstein
Elisa is a curious and versatile writer, carving her niche in the health and wellness industry since 2015. Her lens is rooted in real world experience as a personal trainer and competitive bodybuilder and extended out of the gym and on to the page as a writer where she is able to combine her passions for empowering others, promoting wellness, and the power of the written word.