by Christian Duque
“Is Nick Walker low key doing the Arnold? Is he getting an invitation? What’s happening? Effectively, there isn’t any Arnold for me. That’s too quickly. That’s simply 4 weeks out. And there’s no invite and actually I’d quite [pause] earn my qualification.” – Nick Walker
As at all times I like to begin my articles about Nick by placing it on the market that he has me blocked on all social media as a result of based on him I’m far too destructive. I did meet him on the Pure Nutritional vitamins Epic Block Occasion in Ozone Park, New York a few years in the past, and on the time not solely did he not have me blocked however we had just a few exchanges in direct messages.
I had suggested him on some strikes for the longer term based mostly on my expertise as a journalist within the health trade. For no matter it’s value I believe he appreciated my commentary and I assumed we had been cool. So in fact once I came upon that he can be presenting along with his sponsor at this occasion I made some extent to go and say howdy. We chatted a bit bit and I requested him if I may take a photograph with him and he obliged which I assumed was actually cool. What I assumed was very fascinating nevertheless is that he warned me to remain constructive. At first in fact I assumed he was kidding however then I observed he was being fairly severe.
Not too lengthy after when his sponsor dropped Shaun Clarida from their roster I took exception to that. It bothered me as a result of the sponsor is co-owned by Shaun’s coach and on the time Nick’s coach as nicely. it additionally bothered me that he was dropped contemplating that he was a 212 Mr Olympia defending his title and I assumed it was fairly crappy to remove an earnings stream when he was on the highest of the game.
Whereas I didn’t assault Matt immediately I did criticize the truth that he didn’t combat arduous sufficient for Shaun. Because of my criticism of Matt and the sponsor, Nick went on to dam me. Maybe to him being a journalist requires writing cookie cutter items and by no means criticizing anybody, particularly not anybody related to him. Sadly that may have made me a shill and I merely can’t subscribe to that means of doing issues. I’ve at all times stated what I consider and if I’m incorrect I’m the primary to retract. That being stated, I’m additionally an individual that has deeply held opinions and I’m not about to compromise these opinions simply to not get blocked by some skinny skinned bodybuilder. The fact of the matter is I’ve been blocked by Phil Heath, Nick Walker, and perhaps a few others who sadly lack the wherewithal to resist criticism. That’s their flaw, not mine.
Now what I discover fascinating is how a lot of a non-factor Nick has change into. At one cut-off date when he gained the North American Championships he was presupposed to be one of many subsequent Mr. Olympia’s; nevertheless, on account of a variety of large speak not backed by motion, he fell by the wayside.
We are able to blame it on damage, we will blame it on exhaustion, however in the end this can be a very arduous man to work with. He has jumped from coach to educate, he has jumped from sponsor to sponsor, and let’s face it, he isn’t the nicest man to work with. He could have had a tough previous and he could have been very open about that, however that doesn’t quantity to a hill of beans. In the event you can’t stick with a coach or a sponsor for the lengthy haul, then you definately’re a little bit of a unfastened cannon.
The fact of the matter is that he was not capable of win an Olympia and I don’t assume that he can be very aggressive within the 2024 Arnold Basic. That’s most likely why he didn’t obtain an invite and that’s most likely why he won’t obtain a particular invitation to the 2024 Mr olympia. When he says he would quite earn it that’s bs. I respect him for making an attempt to promote us that however no bodybuilder that may very well be given a particular invite would quite qualify as a substitute. Qualifying is all he has left.
However it feels like if he was invited to the Arnold he would settle for the invitation. The one factor is I don’t assume that invite is coming. With reference to the New York Professional I hope to God he brings his finest bundle ever as a result of Large Steve doesn’t placed on crap reveals. He should convey his best possible physique if he plans on profitable. It’s additionally noteworthy to remind you guys that the purpose system is gone. So let’s say he goes to New York and takes second after which goes to Chicago and takes second after which goes to Tampa and takes second – he’s not going to go to the Mr. Olympia. Factors are completed. The one means you get to the large dance is in case you’re a earlier Mr. O, in case you win a professional present, or in case you get a particular invite. Nick will not be a earlier winner and he’s not going to get a particular invite. The one means that he can go to the Tremendous Bowl of Physique constructing is by profitable a professional present.
That being stated, he’s a previous Arnold Basic champion.
Why do I make that statement? As a result of he can’t go to some rinky dink present in Timbuktu and qualify. He must at the least win an enormous present that has some sort of bragging rights. The outdated pecking order survives until today. Olympia, Arnold, NOC. The brand new NOC for the reason that departure of Wayne Demilia has been the New York Professional. Large Steve has placed on the third greatest bodybuilding present with nice delight and that area of the nation will endlessly be a hotbed of bodybuilding. I’m speaking about New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. That’s the East Coast Mecca and it’ll eat, sleep and breathe bodybuilding for generations to come back.
I’ve little doubt that if Nick places 100% in that he can win that present but it surely’s not a foregone conclusion. He’s not going to stroll in there and take the trophy after which prepare for the Olympia. The New York Professional is an all-out struggle and he might want to convey a variety of combat with a view to stroll away with the W.
Now that apart, how aggressive will Nick be on the Olympia stays to be seen. I don’t assume that he’ll make the highest three in 2024 and what’s loopy is that he says he’s going to win all of it. I might like to be incorrect and I might be the primary to congratulate him, however I simply don’t see it taking place. I believe as soon as once more he’s placing an infinite quantity of stress on himself when what he ought to be doing is specializing in profitable New York after which hunkering down and making an attempt to fly in below the radar to Las vegas. By making a daring assertion that he’s going to win the 2024 Mr. Olympia now he has efficiently elevated his stress stage for no obvious motive. There’s completely no good that may come from this. So then why did he do it?
He did it as a result of nobody is speaking about him anymore. He did it as a result of he needs to be within the dialog on large web sites and articles similar to this one. I don’t care what any high bodybuilder says after they indicate on the contrary. When large stars say they don’t care in the event that they’re talked about or not, that’s utter crap. When you’ve been within the dialog to be the very best on the earth and now no person even brings you up, that’s going to ruffle a variety of feathers.
Nick needs to be again in that dialog so sadly he’s counting on a variety of large speak and right here we’re speaking about him. It could be very unhappy if he can’t even win the New York Professional, a lot much less the Olympia. I hope to God he does much less speaking and extra prepping and lives out his desires. He belongs on the high however he’s not going to simply stroll again and reclaim his place from when he gained the North People or when he gained the Arnold Basic. I believe he must serve himself a slice of humble pie and get to work.
What say you?
