by Christian Duque
When The Brooklyn Beast launched pictures on social media it created shockwaves all through the health trade. This high six Olympian has gone beneath the radar for many of his profession. Folks have all the time acknowledged the truth that he brings great dimension to the stage and is ready to get himself in nice situation however for some motive he has by no means been somebody that commentators thought-about to be a shoe in to win the competitors.
This might largely be attributed to the truth that he’s not a shit-talker. I’ve acquired to be sincere with you my buddies and that’s the one factor I understand how to be right here at Iron Journal after I inform you that the bodybuilders that allow their physiques do the speaking seldom benefit from the accolades of a media hungry for clicks.
The reason being as a result of many media web sites need to have articles that stir individuals up. That is the place people who decide to be dramatic as an alternative of sportsmanlike are inclined to get the lion’s share of the press. We’re sadly in a state in our sport the place social media is so dominant that for individuals to click on on precise information tales they’ve to be of a sensational character. In any other case individuals don’t learn articles anymore. Most bodybuilding followers additionally don’t actually frequent message boards like they did as lately as 10 years in the past. The entire dynamic has modified and it actually it has develop into extra a present of shock worth then of aesthetics, symmetry, and the general bundle.
The Arnold Traditional is a contest that’s shaping as much as be an outstanding showdown of nice bodybuilders in simply days away. Increasingly more followers wish to Columbus to see who will emerge victorious and the way they may fare on the Olympia which can be as soon as once more be held in Las Vegas nevada. Promoter Jake Wooden has pulled out all of the stops for the present referred to as the Tremendous Bowl of Bodybuilding however as soon as once more the Arnold Traditional has assumed its position because the second largest bodybuilding present. This after all is noteworthy as a result of final 12 months the competitors virtually didn’t occur. This present is admittedly second solely to the Olympia and I think it would go above and past even probably the most hopeful of fan expectations. I’ve a sense that after the close to failure of 2023 that Arnold and his crew are going to ensure that this competitors is one for the report books. And it’s not simply going to be with the bells and whistles but it surely’s additionally going to be with the depth of the lineup. We now have not seen this caliber of athlete take the stage in Columbus in most likely the final 20 years. Whoever emerges victorious in just some days will be capable of lay declare to being the primary contender.
What I discover outstanding nevertheless is it despite the fact that Akim appears to be in the most effective form of his life most commentators will solely give him high six. It is a man that took high 6 on the Olympia and never simply any Olympia however one of the aggressive up till that time. I’ll always remember assembly Akim on the 2014 Arnold Traditional. The sheer dimension of him made my jaw drop. I had by no means seen a man that enormous have such unimaginable form. I imply for those who go to those massive health expos you’ll after all run into guys that weigh loads however they don’t have the separation or the vascularity. You then may run into guys that do have the separation and the vascularity however they’re a bag of bones. To see this man referred to as The Brooklyn Beast in individual, it’s not simply hype. He was a man that walked round and knew that he was huge, but it surely was greater than that. He had a terrific persona and he was an actual individuals individual. And that’s precisely why on the time he labored with Species Diet and why he has all the time had a sponsor your complete time he has been an expert bodybuilder.
You’ve got to really love the followers and love the game for those who’re going to have sponsors. Most bodybuilders assume that sponsorships come simply because you possibly can construct a terrific physique or as a result of you may get a professional card or as a result of you possibly can win a professional present. Sadly that isn’t the case. Followers don’t reply to titles or trophies they reply to individuals that really love what they do and love the followers. That is why Akim made such a robust impression on me from the second I met him. After that we have been in a position to do many interviews together with some exercise footage on the iconic Bev Francis Powerhouse Gymnasium – the true Mecca of Bodybuilding. And that’s simply it, the place you come from actually shapes who you’re.
Akim is a bodybuilder straight out of New York. He has that New England work ethic. There’s one thing concerning the northeast; perhaps it’s the chilly temperatures or perhaps it’s the truth that coaching nonetheless issues there. No person skips like day. No person half-asses it within the fitness center. That’s the workplace. That’s the place you go to place in actual work. No stone will get left unturned. Once you’re coping with New York bodybuilders, New Jersey bodybuilders, Connecticut bodybuilders, you’re coping with a specimen not like some other. These guys eat, sleep, and breathe bodybuilding. Once I have a look at Akim, or Juan Morel, or Kai Greene, or Victor Martinez, you see what bodybuilding will be. These guys by no means maintain again; they go all the way in which. They by no means take a backward step. That is why after I see Akim drop a progress picture 3 weeks out from the Arnold Traditional I wouldn’t be like so many different fools and say he can barely make the highest six. If he’s placing out progress pictures 3 weeks out it’s as a result of he’s going to Columbus Ohio with one factor and one factor solely on his thoughts and that’s to win.
No self-respecting New Yorker who has positioned within the high six on the largest present in bodybuilding who trains recurrently on the Mecca and who has paid his dues goes to go to the second largest present in bodybuilding with out desirous to win. And that’s precisely what I believe goes to occur. I admire Nick’s Power and Energy’s commentary as a result of at the least he gave Akim the time of day. I’ll by no means assault a media outlet that offers protection to good athletes however I’ll say that I disagree as a result of I believe that Akim can go a lot farther than merely being the sixth man. I believe that he has all of the instruments in his arsenal to go there and beat the likes of Samson Dauda and Hadi Choopan and completely pull off the upset. Let’s not neglect that Samson is essentially tapped out and Hadi WAS Mr. Olympia. Just one man has ever reclaimed that title – ever! I believe that we’ve seen the most effective we’re going to see of him.
Subsequently it’s anybody’s Arnold Traditional to win and I particularly assume that The Brooklyn Beast can go there and ship the knockout similar to some other high man. Not solely can he ship the knockout, however being that he has positioned sixth on the earth he is aware of that he can cling with the massive boys and he is aware of that if he brings 100% it is going to be extra psychological than physiological when he’s on that stage. He has the dimensions, the situation, the self-confidence and the flexibility to current his physique to the judges in such a approach as to showcase all the things he has labored so laborious for. I’ve little doubt in my thoughts that we might be speaking about your 2024 Arnold Traditional champion.
What say you?
