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 Prime 3. I used to be lately invited to a non-public chat by some business bigwigs and we received to speaking concerning the huge contest. The aim for this impromptu chat was extra to see the place everybody stood than anything.
Writers and commentators are likely to have these moments the place they wish to know what the following individual is considering. We’re an eccentric bunch that always write first and edit later. The purpose is to only write. In case you begin modifying and re-reading and proofreading, you may simply lose your approach. Simply flip the spell test 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’ need to 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the poor man’s definition of the very philosophical subjective nature of a sport scored by a gaggle of principally outdated males. They sit there and shift their round, eat protein bars, and underneath the thunderous sounds from the stage, they’re most likely letting just a few rip as nicely. The judges might look like they’re simply sitting there, however these people see all the things. They observe and rating. There’s no politics concerned. And I’ve a full head of hair.
The identical approach the judges confer so too do writers and commentators. We wish 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 received’t stack as much as the Prime 3 and should not even make Prime 5. What’s up with that? Simply haters, salty folks, sad critics? What provides?
Effectively I’ll inform you what provides. What provides is that Nick Walker is a freak and freaks aren’t at all times the prettiest to take a look at. Large Ramy is out. And if Hadi can’t efficiently defend his title, then that places the freaks to the aspect. Because the now well-known Bob Cicherillo catchphrase goes, “bodybuilding is a sport about apples and oranges.”
Effectively, 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 comprehend it virtually instantly. Whereas the place the judges put you doesn’t at all times predict how they’ll rating, it’s a fairly secure wager that middle 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 middle stage there, then the champ is wanting – at finest – for 4th or as little as sixth. It’s occurred earlier than and it could possibly occur once more.
If Hadi wins or seems to be to win, then Nick might 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 Prime 6 placings, this can undoubtedly harm Walker. Not solely do many individuals doubt Walker can place within the Prime 3, additionally they doubt Hadi can maintain on. He’s too brief, a lot of his muscle mass look suspect, and his form isn’t fairly to take a look at.
When you may have guys like Brandon Curry who’re making jaws drop despite the fact that they’re seemingly ignored by the media, then guys like Hadi and Nick have an actual downside. Then you definitely have a look at aesthetics wizards like Andrew Jacked and the Hadi/Nick genetics actually are likely 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 health club they usually pose to the purpose they offer their absolute all, however that’s not the purpose. They simply don’t have the God-given stream to their physique. They’ll even have that Dorian Esque grainy pores and skin, however once you examine 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 received a whole physique however he additionally has that wow issue. I actually 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, persons are going to present me grief as a result of they’ll accuse me of being a Curry fanboy, however perhaps I’m. And perhaps 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 stated 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 also be a co-owner of RAW Vitamin 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 every now and then.
Nick, then again, received all butthurt and blocked me. He even warned me on the Epic Block Celebration in Ozone Park, NY, to “not be detrimental.” What a instrument. Lol. I’m a journalist! If I can solely be constructive, I’d be a shill. However I digress. Though 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 similar downside with Hadi. If the O isn’t concerning the freak issue, they’ll get pushed to the aspect. 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 residence. Solely time will inform.
Do you assume Nick can crack the Prime 3? Do you assume he can win the 2023 Mr. Olympia? Sadly, I don’t.
