by Christian Duque
Over the course of the previous few weeks we now have seen a departure from Nick Walker. A departure from the best way that he was right into a extra politically-correct, extra motivationally-inspiring sort particular person. We noticed him make good on his phrase and produce a really spectacular physique to Pittsburgh. This was imagined to be his return to greatness. I’d argue that final 12 months’s New York Professional was not that. I’d as an alternative say that final 12 months’s New York Professional was the product of politics. Nick had been off of the Olympia stage for 2 consecutive years and I imagine the powers that be needed him again within the combine. As you guys know, I used to be very loyal to Pittsburgh at one level and I nonetheless imagine that the Professional League is the premier physique-based federation on this planet. I don’t suppose that there’s any competitors and whereas there have been some contenders over time, they proceed to reign supreme.
I give credit score the place credit score is due. That being mentioned, I’m not certainly one of these folks that believes that politics don’t have any place within the scoring and within the placings on the greatest and baddest reveals. The underside line is that the Olympia is the Tremendous Bowl of Bodybuilding and to ensure that it to be a field workplace success it must have the most effective athletes on its stage doable. Nick was sadly injured and couldn’t compete (e.g. 2024 Arnold Traditional). I additionally imagine that he was sitting on the sidelines as a result of perhaps he didn’t suppose that he can be aggressive sufficient. Regardless of the case could have been, the phrase on the road final 12 months was that if he didn’t qualify in New York he wasn’t going to strive once more. Due to this fact, he beat a man who ought to have overwhelmed him in Martin Fitzwater however that no person had ever heard of. Martin had merely received Detroit and had an Olympia qualification. I don’t suppose they had been about to offer him the win to him – despite the fact that he deserved it. Pittsburgh 2025 was imagined to be totally different. This was imagined to be Nick’s coming of age. Nick was supposed to come back in and defeat all people in sight. The one drawback is that he didn’t count on Derek Lunsford to be there.
Although Nick has completely modified his tune close to how he approaches the game and the way he offers with dissent, he’s nonetheless principally the identical individual that he’s all the time been. It is because I don’t actually imagine in PR makeovers. I believe that the intention is an efficient one however that it’s lots simpler mentioned than achieved. The one individual that I’ve really seen completely change the best way they was, to a sure extent, can be Phil Heath. Although he nonetheless has me blocked on Twitter – it’s not even known as that anymore! Nick did block me simply final 12 months on I and what’s humorous about that’s that he didn’t block me for something that he and I had mentioned to one another. I met him on the Epic Block Social gathering in Ozone Park, New York a few years in the past and he had advised me to “keep optimistic.” I didn’t actually know what to make of that seeing as I’m a member of the media and my most necessary aim is to not be optimistic, fairly, it’s to be brutally goal. Being optimistic and goal don’t all the time go hand-in-hand. When you can’t take the criticism, perhaps you shouldn’t compete in a physique-based sport. In any occasion, he didn’t block me for something between us, he blocked me as a result of I used to be harsh on his coach who additionally owned the complement firm who dropped Shaun Clarida at a time when he wanted the help most. I assume Nick didn’t actually recognize what I needed to say about Matt, however oddly sufficient, he additionally would go away Matt down the street. To me, professional’s that block journalists are normally not the most effective ambassadors for the game. Blocking somebody means you’re the sort of one who likes to stay in a bubble. GROW UP!
I wasn’t tremendous impressed with Nick close to Pittsburgh. I felt that he was not very gracious on stage and was not very respectful of Derek who’s a previous Mr O. At first, he didn’t wish to pose with him after which he tried to overpower him together with his dimension. In the end, when he did pose with Lunsford it appeared considerably compelled. When the placings had been introduced and Nick took second place it was Derek who went to him to attempt to cheer him up. Initially, Nick didn’t wish to look Derek within the eyes and wasn’t tremendous accepting of Derek’s kindness. Why does the newly-announced winner have to fret about cheering up 2nd place (or 1st place loser)? That being mentioned, Nick ulitmately congratulated Derek and didn’t stroll off stage like a former Mr O didn’t so way back. However right here is the humorous factor, it didn’t take very lengthy for Nick to start out questioning the ends in Pittsburgh. The truth that he received in New York solely made issues worse as a result of the true Nick Walker stood up and stood up rapidly. All of the PR and inspirational quotes apart, Walker confirmed himself to be what I’ve all the time recognized him to be. A sore loser!
The actual fact is Nick has taken to saying all around the interwebs that he actually beat Derek. That’s categorically false as a result of Derek obtained the win in Pittsburgh. It’s additionally categorically false as a result of even when he did beat Derek in his thoughts, he wasn’t up towards Derek at 100%. The Derek that competed at Pittsburgh was not the Derek that one in Columbus. It was additionally not Derek that competed in Las Vegas final 12 months. If something Nick was dealing with a barely burnt out Derek Lunsford. It is a level that was made by Matt from Muscle Discord and impressed this text. I believe it’s an important distinction as a result of Nick Walker is just not in that prime three class in my view (on the present time). I don’t suppose he will be Derek at his finest, I don’t suppose he can beat Hadi at his finest, and I don’t suppose he can beat Samson at his finest. I do know that sure heavyweights within the trade wish to put that on the market, however I believe that’s extra to promote tickets to the O than the rest.
I believe it’s an important distinction that Matt made due to the truth that Nick has taken to creating media appearances and suggesting he had Derek on the ropes. He didn’t, and even if you happen to took his look in New York and in contrast that look to Derek’s look in Pittsburgh, he nonetheless wouldn’t have received in my humble opinion.
It isn’t a query of whether or not or not he blocked me or not. Derek has been shitty to me as nicely. It actually comes right down to the necessary poses. If we’re going pose by pose – even when we evaluate Nick in New York to Derek in Pittsburgh – Derek nonetheless prevails in my humble opinion.
Simply a few days in the past Nick made a remark that lots of people thought confirmed his actual humility. it doesn’t actually present any humility so far as I’m involved, if something, it reveals that Nick continues to be the pompous asshole that he’s all the time been. When Nick mentioned that he was assured that he would Place prime three on this 12 months’s Mr. Olympia, I couldn’t assist however chuckle. After numerous discuss and banter Nick took second to a burnt out Derek Lunsford and an off Martin Fitzwater in Pittsburgh. Then he goes to New York and barely beats William Bonac, who got here to the present firing on all cylinders. The Mutant nonetheless has not confronted off towards Hadi or Samson in prime kind – and even actually Derek in prime kind. But he’s assuring the general public goes to be prime three? Does that appear humble to you? It looks like the furthest factor from humble to me. It looks like a really boastful assertion to make from a man who’s now advertising and marketing himself as a 3x New York Professional champion. And he’s a three-time champion on paper, however like I mentioned, final 12 months he obtained his ass handed to him by Martin Fitzwater and this 12 months he obtained almost beat by William Bonac. It is a man that’s banking on numerous hype, however as of but has to show it. I personally am not as impressed with this physique – both in Pittsburgh or New York. Sorry, however not sorry.
And the explanation for that’s that Nick Walker to me doesn’t embody what bodybuilding needs to be. He doesn’t have good proportions, he doesn’t have good steadiness, and if you happen to take away the sheer dimension issue, what do you will have left? This isn’t the path the game ought to go in. And I definitely don’t suppose that is what the New York Professional champion ought to seem like, both. In spite of everything, the New York Professional is the third most necessary present and by crowning a man with that sort of physique because the champion sends a nasty message. I don’t suppose Nick would have received with both the New York or Pittsburgh physique in Columbus. And I don’t suppose he would win in Las Vegas, both. I believe for him to say that he’s going to be a favourite for prime three is just not solely a little bit foolish, however borderline comical.
However hey, perhaps my model of bodybuilding is outdated. What say you? And do you actually imagine that Nick has modified his mind-set – or – is it simply an try to win over the naysayers? As all the time, I look ahead to studying your suggestions within the feedback. I personally don’t suppose Nick will get prime three at this 12 months’s Mr O, however I assume we’ll simply have to attend and see. As all the time, thanks for studying my article, right here, at IronMag. Make sure you copy and paste a hyperlink to this text on all your social media feeds. It’s going to positively generate some vigorous conversations.