Akim Williams
The Brooklyn Beast Will Be Again in 2024!
By Ron Harris
Once I use the phrase “underrated” to explain a bodybuilder, it doesn’t all the time imply merely that the person hasn’t obtained the competition placings he could have deserved at instances. I additionally use it within the sense of underappreciated, so I’d wish to take this opportunity to salute MuscleMeds athlete Akim “The Brooklyn Beast” Williams. In an age the place it’s widespread to see professionals make solely sporadic appearances on the competition stage and skip whole seasons, Akim has competed in a staggering 31 professional reveals since his debut within the spring of 2014. That’s not the one motive he warrants an additional degree of respect.
The Man Who Received’t Stop, or Even Complain
A few weeks into his prep for the 2021 Arnold Traditional, Akim got here down with COVID and misplaced appreciable measurement as he was unable to both eat various bites of meals a day or prepare. Relatively than bail on the present, he fulfilled his dedication and resumed prep, touchdown in fifth place at what was understandably inferior to the physique that had positioned sixth on the Mr. Olympia the 12 months earlier than. However as Akim’s followers know, as soon as he says he’s doing a present, he does it. And he nonetheless managed to take ninth on the Mr. Olympia two weeks later (this was that wacky pandemic 12 months when regular contest schedules had been turned the wrong way up).
In Might of 2022 as Akim was beginning his prep for the Tampa Professional, he was rear-ended in a devastating automotive accident that totaled his prized BMW and gave him excruciating decrease again and neck ache that made again coaching a monumental problem. Not solely did Akim persist and difficult his means by way of all of it, however he additionally received that Tampa Professional, defeating a lethal Kamal Elgargni, a 212 Olympia champion who had crammed out to make his Open debut. What none of us knew as a result of Williams by no means broadcasts his accidents in whiny social media posts fishing for sympathy or making excuses is that he’d additionally incurred a critical shoulder damage in that crash.
“Relatively than depend on the airbag, I locked my arms in entrance of me on the steering wheel simply earlier than influence,” he shares. “The labrum inside my proper shoulder tore proper there.”
Lastly, Time for a Break
In a few interviews I’d accomplished with Akim for the reason that accident, he by no means even talked about the shoulder ache he was coping with day-after-day within the health club. He had pressed on and competed on the Mr. Olympia, failing to make the highest 15 for the primary time in that prestigious occasion. Anybody else would have stepped again and regrouped for not less than just a few months at that time, however Akim had been invited to the Arnold Traditional happening lower than three months later and accepted, and he’s a person of his phrase. There he positioned sixth out of a 10-man subject, beating two-time Arnold champ William Bonac, Justin Rodriguez, Kamal Elgargni, and Patrick Moore as Samson Dauda received the present.
“After the Arnold was completed, I used to be going to maintain pushing and do the New York Professional to attempt to qualify for the 2023 Mr. Olympia,” he tells us. The shoulder ache was solely getting worse, and that’s when an MRI confirmed the labrum was in actual fact absolutely torn together with a partial biceps tear. “I stated to myself, since I turned professional in 2013, I’ve by no means taken any day off.” I’d say he was lengthy overdue! “It was the proper time to have the surgical procedure and restore my shoulder, let my physique heal, and are available again robust in 2024.”
The Street to Restoration
The surgical procedure was a hit, and as he started the rehab course of, Akim admits that he struggled with doubts. “You’re used to seeing your self look a sure means and feeling indestructible, particularly the weights you used to elevate. You surprise, will I ever be capable of do this once more? Medical doctors aren’t very reassuring, as a result of they’re fast to inform you that you simply’ll by no means be 100% once more.”
After all, Williams didn’t settle for that grim prognosis. He diligently commenced with bodily remedy and likewise had a bit further assist in the type of the MuscleMeds product Stemtropin, formulated to speed up therapeutic and restoration. Stem cell therapies have been all the craze in prime bodybuilding circles not too long ago, with superstars like Ronnie Coleman and Flex Lewis receiving therapies to speed up therapeutic and restoration from accidents and surgical procedures.
“Restoration is so typically missed in our sport,” notes Akim. “Should you don’t get better correctly, there’s no means you’ll be able to probably feel and look your finest.” He takes two capsules earlier than each exercise. Akim has additionally come to appreciate that since he already constructed a lot mass over years of extraordinarily heavy coaching, he doesn’t want to make use of fairly as a lot weight anymore.
The Brooklyn Beast Returns in 2024
As a result of time really does fly in bodybuilding, Akim already has to begin planning out his 2024 season. As of now, he desires to be onstage subsequent March in Columbus for what can be his fifth Arnold Traditional, and hopefully because the winner. “I really feel in my coronary heart that I’ve what it takes to win,” he explains. He acknowledges that he’s no spring hen within the recreation with a full 10 seasons as a professional beneath his belt, however there’s nonetheless a bit “gasoline left within the tank.” Together with the Arnold, there’s nonetheless another title he desires earlier than he walks away from the stage: the New York Professional. Akim has competed there 4 instances and got here inside a hair of profitable it in 2019 however finally was runner-up to Juan Morel. “Let’s simply say it’s on my bucket listing,” he says.
Akim has the complete help of not solely legions of loyal followers all over the world but additionally MuscleMeds, the one firm he’s ever been beneath contract to and who he now has been a part of since 2015. Not too long ago he has skilled with and provided posing assist to fellow MuscleMeds athlete Robert “NDO Champ” Wilmote, who we profiled right here in MD. Williams assured me that the over-the-top character we see on his YouTube channel and IG just isn’t an act – that’s the actual Robert.
“He’s such an intense man with unbelievable power and fervour,” Akim says. “You may be drained or no matter, however you’ll be able to’t assist however get pumped up figuring out with that man!”
As we converse, Akim is healed up, rested and refreshed, and already again working exhausting within the health club for the 2024 season. He acknowledges that there’s been a significant inflow of recent expertise within the final couple of years, however he’s assured that he cannot solely stay related and maintain his personal however come out on prime. “I nonetheless have my mass, my traces and form, my small waist, the issues which have taken me this far within the sport – so I’m not afraid to face subsequent to anybody.”
Akim’s MuscleMeds® Stack
CARNIVOR™ LEAN MEAL – 2 shakes per day
VITAMIN T™ – every day in morning with breakfast
NITROTEST™ – pre-workout
AMINO DECANATE – intra-workout
FEAST MODE – with largest meal
AROMATEST– most power aromatase inhibitor
STEMTROPIN – nighttime
For extra info, go to musclemedsrx.com
Professional Report
2014 New York Professional – 11th Place
2014 Chicago Professional – Fifth Place
2014 Golden State Professional – Seventh Place
2015 Chicago Professional – Third Place
2015 Tampa Professional – Eighth Place
2015 Europa Dallas – Third Place
2016 Chicago Professional – Sixth Place
2016 Tampa Professional – Winner
2016 Arnold Traditional Asia – Ninth Place
2016 Kuwait Professional – 10th Place
2016 Mr. Olympia – 15th Place
2017 New York Professional – Fifth Place
2017 California Professional – Fifth Place
2018 New York Professional – 10th Place
2018 Toronto Professional – Second Place
2018 Muscle Mayhem Kansas Professional – Second Place
2019 Arnold Traditional – Ninth Place
2019 Arnold Traditional South America – Third Place
2019 Indy Professional – Second Place
2019 New York Professional – Second Place
2019 Bigman Weekend Professional – Second Place
2019 Mr. Olympia – Ninth Place
2020 Arnold Traditional – Seventh Place
2020 Chicago Professional – Winner
2020 Mr. Olympia – Sixth Place
2021 Puerto Rico Professional – Winner
2021 Arnold Traditional – Fifth Place
2021 Mr. Olympia – Ninth Place
2022 Tampa Professional – Winner
2022 Mr. Olympia – Didn’t Place
2023 Arnold Traditional – Sixth Place
Ron Harris bought his begin within the bodybuilding trade throughout the eight years he labored in Los Angeles as Affiliate Producer for ESPN’s “American Muscle Journal” present within the Nineties. Since 1992 he has printed almost 5,000 articles in bodybuilding and health magazines, making him probably the most prolific bodybuilding author ever. Ron has been coaching for the reason that age of 14 and competing as a bodybuilder since 1989. He lives along with his spouse and two kids within the Boston space. Fb Instagram
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