by Christian Duque
The aggressive area for the 2023 Mr. Olympia has change into so intense that only a few pundits assume Nick “The Mutant” Walker can crack the High 3. I used to be not too long ago invited to a non-public chat by some trade bigwigs and we acquired to speaking in regards to the large contest. The aim for this impromptu chat was extra to see the place everybody stood than the rest.
Writers and commentators are inclined to have these moments the place they need to know what the following particular person is pondering. We’re an eccentric bunch that usually write first and edit later. The purpose is to simply write. For those who begin enhancing and re-reading and proofreading, you possibly can simply lose your method. Simply flip the spell verify off and write. You may make heads or tales out of it later. That’s the boring half.
Nonetheless, bodybuilding writers really do care what The Jones’ should say and don’t ever allow them to inform you in any other case. On the finish of the day, physique-based sports activities are opinion-based. That’s the poor man’s definition of the very philosophical subjective nature of a sport scored by a bunch of largely previous males. They sit there and shift their round, eat protein bars, and underneath the thunderous sounds from the stage, they’re in all probability letting a couple of rip as properly. The judges could look like they’re simply sitting there, however these people see every part. They observe and rating. There’s no politics concerned. And I’ve a full head of hair.
The identical method the judges confer so too do writers and commentators. We need to know what everybody else is considering and what the game’s pulse is. And proper now, the speak going around the scene is that Nick Walker simply gained’t stack as much as the High 3 and should not even make High 5. What’s up with that? Simply haters, salty folks, sad critics? What offers?
Nicely I’ll inform you what offers. What offers is that Nick Walker is a freak and freaks aren’t all the time the prettiest to have a look at. Huge Ramy is out. And if Hadi can’t efficiently defend his title, then that places the freaks to the facet. Because the now well-known Bob Cicherillo catchphrase goes, “bodybuilding is a sport about apples and oranges.”
Nicely, if all of the apples are gone, then it’s all about oranges. My level is, if Hadi can’t retain the title, we’re going to understand it virtually instantly. Whereas the place the judges put you doesn’t all the time predict how they’ll rating, it’s a fairly protected guess that heart stage throughout first callouts is the place the winner stands. If Hadi makes first callouts and is put within the wings, he’s not successful. If SOMEHOW he will get known as out within the second group and he stands heart stage there, then the champ is wanting – at finest – for 4th or as little as sixth. It’s occurred earlier than and it will possibly occur once more.
If Hadi wins or appears to win, then Nick could possibly be as excessive as 2nd. At that time, it’ll change into who’s freakier than the opposite. With Hadi relegated out to a decrease High 6 placings, this can undoubtedly harm Walker. Not solely do many individuals doubt Walker can place within the High 3, in addition they doubt Hadi can maintain on. He’s too quick, lots of his muscular tissues look suspect, and his form isn’t fairly to have a look at.
When you will have guys like Brandon Curry who’re making jaws drop although they’re seemingly ignored by the media, then guys like Hadi and Nick have an actual downside. Then you definately take a look at aesthetics wizards like Andrew Jacked and the Hadi/Nick genetics actually are inclined to look dangerous. It’s not that these guys don’t are available shredded. Good Lord they do! They work their asses off within the gymnasium they usually pose to the purpose they provide their absolute all, however that’s not the purpose. They simply don’t have the God-given circulate to their physique. They will even have that Dorian Esque grainy pores and skin, however whenever you evaluate that to a Lee Labrada or a Bob Paris or a Dexter Jackson or a Hunter, Samson, Andrew or DEREK – you’re simply left within the mud.
Lunsford has that look, though jacked past doubt, however it’s there. He’s acquired a whole physique however he additionally has that wow issue. I truthfully don’t know the way Derek misplaced to Hadi final yr, however that’s definitely not going to be a repeat this yr.
Derek smokes Hadi. Derek destroys Nick. In a really possible way it’s going to be Derek vs Brandon after which everybody else. I do know, I do know, individuals are going to provide me grief as a result of they’ll accuse me of being a Curry fanboy, however possibly I’m. And possibly I’m onto one thing. Solely time will inform, but when Hadi isn’t successful, I can’t think about how Nick will.
Nick Walker is a category act. He’s humorous on podcasts and he loves to advertise bodybuilding. He’s a little bit of a manchild in that he can’t settle for criticism and loves to dam folks – like Phil again within the day. Walker has me blocked not due to something I mentioned about him, however as a result of I took exception with how Matt Jansen handled Shaun Clarida. That’s nonetheless Shaun’s coach they usually do nice work collectively, however Matt can be a co-owner of RAW Diet and when that firm dropped Shaun, I assumed that was shitty. Jansen laughed at my critique however didn’t block me. And we nonetheless DM occasionally.
Nick, alternatively, acquired all butthurt and blocked me. He even warned me on the Epic Block Social gathering in Ozone Park, NY, to “not be destructive.” What a software. Lol. I’m a journalist! If I can solely be optimistic, I’d be a shill. However I digress. Regardless that The Mutant has me blocked, he’s nonetheless a fantastic bodybuilder and can be a fantastic ambassador as Mr. Olympia.
The issue with Nick is identical downside with Hadi. If the O isn’t in regards to the freak issue, they’ll get pushed to the facet. And one thing tells me that they are often the very best freak variations of themselves in 2023 and it’s not going to lead to them taking Sandow house. Solely time will inform.
Do you assume Nick can crack the High 3? Do you assume he can win the 2023 Mr. Olympia? Sadly, I don’t.