Written by David Baye
11 January 2016

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Who's Got Next - Profiling Bodybuilding's Rising Stars

NPC Welterweight Derek Lunsford

 

In this new ongoing feature we will be introducing you to some of the under 25 year old NPC competitors we have on our radar.

NAME: Derek Lunsford

AGE: 22

HOMETOWN: Petersburg, Indiana

HIGH SCHOOL: Pike Central

HEIGHT: 5’6”

WEIGHT: 160 (contest) 210 (Offseason)

COLLEGE: Cumberland University, Vincennes University, Indiana State (Current)

ATHLETIC BACKGROUND: Wrestling, Soccer

HOBBIES OUTSIDE OF BODYBUILDING: I enjoy spending time with family and friends, hunting, fishing, being outdoors and traveling.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START IN BODYBUILDING?In college I would go to the gym and train on a regular basis, but had no real vision once I had stopped wrestling and transferred to a school that didn’t offer it. I made a lot of new friends at the gym, including my coach now, James Brown, who would give me tips on how to improve my diet and training. There was one particular day when I was watching a motivational bodybuilding video on YouTube, and everything just clicked. I knew right then and there I would be a bodybuilder!

EARLY INSPIRATIONS: I’ve always just looked up to successful people in general from all walks of life, not just bodybuilding. People who have worked hard to get their names in the spotlight inspire me to do the same.

FIRST COMPETITON: 2015 NPC Indianapolis Championship. 1st Place Men’s Open Welterweight

NPC NATIONAL COMPETITIONS: 2015 NPC Jr. Nationals. 1st Place Men’s Open Welterweight

CURRENT ROLE MODELS: I really look up to Jay Cutler with his business skills, hard work ethic, incredible physique, all the competitive success and the celebrity status he’s achieved as a result! I admire Phil Heath as well for all the same reasons. Jose Raymond is also a huge inspiration for me. From what I’ve seen he’s a very down to earth guy and I love to see that with these big time bodybuilders.

UPCOMING COMPETITIONS: NPC Midwest Battle Of Champions, April 2016. NPC Indiana State, June 2016. NPC Junior Nationals, June 2016.

LONG TERM AMBITIONS: My long term goal is to be at the top of the bodybuilding industry! I am striving to be the same kind of role model for other young competitors as those I had. I would like people to look at me and say “that guy really worked hard to be where he is at in live and deserves every bit of it”.

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DISCUSS THIS NEW SERIES ON THE MD FORUM

SEE DEREK'S PHOTOS FROM THE 2015 JR NATIONALS