by Christian Duque
The aggressive discipline for the 2023 Mr. Olympia has turn out to be so intense that only a few pundits assume Nick “The Mutant” Walker can crack the Prime 3. I used to be not too long ago invited to a non-public chat by some trade bigwigs and we acquired to speaking concerning the huge 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 wish to know what the subsequent particular person is pondering. We’re an eccentric bunch that always write first and edit later. The purpose is to simply write. In the event you begin modifying 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 truly do care what The Jones’ must 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the poor man’s definition of the very philosophical subjective nature of a sport scored by a bunch of principally outdated males. They sit there and shift their round, eat protein bars, and beneath the thunderous sounds from the stage, they’re in all probability letting a number of rip as effectively. The judges might seem to be 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 wish to know what everybody else is considering and what the game’s pulse is. And proper now, the discuss going around the scene is that Nick Walker simply received’t stack as much as the Prime 3 and will not even make Prime 5. What’s up with that? Simply haters, salty folks, sad critics? What offers?
Effectively I’ll inform you what offers. What offers is that Nick Walker is a freak and freaks aren’t at all times the prettiest to take a look at. Massive 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 realize it nearly instantly. Whereas the place the judges put you doesn’t at all times predict how they’ll rating, it’s a fairly protected wager 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 referred to as out within the second group and he stands heart stage there, then the champ is trying – at greatest – for 4th or as little as sixth. It’s occurred earlier than and it may well occur once more.
If Hadi wins or appears to be like to win, then Nick could possibly be as excessive as 2nd. At that time, it’ll turn out to be who’s freakier than the opposite. With Hadi relegated out to a decrease Prime 6 placings, this may 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, lots of his muscular tissues look suspect, and his form isn’t fairly to take a look at.
When you will have guys like Brandon Curry who’re making jaws drop though they’re seemingly ignored by the media, then guys like Hadi and Nick have an actual drawback. Then you definitely have a look at aesthetics wizards like Andrew Jacked and the Hadi/Nick genetics actually are inclined to look unhealthy. It’s not that these guys don’t are available shredded. Good Lord they do! They work their asses off within the health club and so they pose to the purpose they provide their absolute all, however that’s not the purpose. They only don’t have the God-given stream to their physique. They will even have that Dorian Esque grainy pores and skin, however whenever 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, but it surely’s there. He’s acquired a whole physique however he additionally has that wow issue. I truthfully don’t understand how Derek misplaced to Hadi final 12 months, however that’s actually not going to be a repeat this 12 months.
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 offer 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 stated about him, however as a result of I took exception with how Matt Jansen handled Shaun Clarida. That’s nonetheless Shaun’s coach and so they do nice work collectively, however Matt can also 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 every now and then.
Nick, however, 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 instrument. Lol. I’m a journalist! If I can solely be constructive, I’d be a shill. However I digress. Although The Mutant has me blocked, he’s nonetheless a terrific bodybuilder and could be a terrific ambassador as Mr. Olympia.
The issue with Nick is similar drawback 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 one of the best freak variations of themselves in 2023 and it’s not going to end in them taking Sandow house. 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.
