Crowd Favorites Who Didn’t Place as Expected at Mr. Olympia 2025

[FrenzyMaster]

Hey, it's FrenzyMaster, and wow, the 2025 Mr. Olympia shocked a lot of people in the bodybuilding world. There were a lot of big people on stage, and the tension was high. When the lights went out, the final rankings made fans go crazy. Some big names came in great shape, but not quite enough to make the top spots. Others showed why they are still among the best. Let's look at the biggest surprises from this year's show.

The runner-up finish of Hadi Choopan has caused a lot of talk.​

This time, Hadi Choopan didn't win the Sandow, but his second-place finish showed that he is still one of the toughest competitors alive. The Persian Wolf looked thick and strong when he came in, but not as sharp as he was when he won in 2022. Some fans said that his fullness should have helped him beat Lunsford, but this year, the judges were more interested in structure and flow.

Even though he came in second, Hadi's presence was unmatched. His conditioning, muscle maturity, and trademark intensity kept him in the running from the start to the end. He'll be even hungrier when he comes back in 2026.

Andrew Jacked's Rise to the Top 3​

Andrew Jacked made it into the top three for the first time, and the crowd went wild. He was taller and more aesthetically pleasing than shorter, blockier bodies because his muscles were so well-defined. You could tell that he had gotten better at posing because he moved like a pro instead of a beginner.

It is the kind of progress that makes bodybuilding fun again. We might be talking about a future Mr. Olympia if Andrew can add just a little more muscle to his back and legs.

Samson Dauda Almost Got Fourth Place​

Samson Dauda had one of his best looks so far: huge, round, and full. But he just missed the top three. He was very confident on stage and in front of an audience, but when people compare him to Derek and Hadi side by side, it showed that he needed to work on his conditioning a little.

Even so, coming in fourth in this tough field shows that Samson is here to stay. His body screams potential, and if he gets in better shape next season, he has a good chance of making it into the top two.

Nick Walker's sixth-place finish and the talk of his comeback​

Nick "The Mutant" Walker came back to the Olympia stage after a tough year of preparation and came in sixth. Some fans said it was a letdown, but let's be honest: coming off rumors of an injury and facing the deepest lineup in years is still impressive.

Walker had the size, density, and trademark graininess, but his shape didn't look quite right compared to how he looked in 2023. People still loved him, though, and you could feel the energy every time he struck a most-muscular pose. Don't give up on him making a big comeback if he has a healthy offseason and a better peak strategy.

Brandon Curry's Fall to Seventh​

Brandon Curry, who won the Olympia in 2019, came in seventh, which shows that the new generation is catching up quickly. His upper body was still world-class, with wide shoulders and perfect chest lines, but his legs couldn't quite keep up with the new level of density seen on stage this year.

Brandon is still one of the most respected names in the game, though. His professionalism and presentation are still top-notch. At 42, he still has a body that most guys in their 20s would envy.

Frequently Asked Questions​

Who won Mr. Olympia 2025?​

Derek Lunsford claimed his second Mr. Olympia title, displaying unmatched balance and conditioning.

Who were the top five finishers?​

The top five were Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, Andrew Jacked, Samson Dauda, and Martin Fitzwater.

Did Nick Walker compete this year?​

Yes, Nick Walker competed and finished sixth, marking a solid return after injury concerns.

Where did Brandon Curry place?​

Brandon Curry placed seventh, maintaining his spot among the elite despite fierce competition.

What's next for the Olympia veterans?​

Expect Hadi, Curry, and Walker to regroup for 2026 with refined conditioning and smarter prep strategies. This competition just proved no one's throne is safe.