by Christian Duque
The aggressive discipline for the 2023 Mr. Olympia has turn out to be so intense that only a few pundits suppose 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 business bigwigs and we obtained to speaking concerning the large 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 following individual is considering. We’re an eccentric bunch that usually write first and edit later. The purpose is to only write. If you happen to begin enhancing and re-reading and proofreading, you may simply lose your means. Simply flip the spell examine off and write. You can also make heads or tales out of it later. That’s the boring half.
Nonetheless, bodybuilding writers truly do care what The Jones’ should 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the poor man’s definition of the very philosophical subjective nature of a sport scored by a gaggle of principally outdated males.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 a couple of rip as properly. The judges might seem to be they’re simply sitting there, however these of us see every part. They observe and rating. There’s no politics concerned. And I’ve a full head of hair.
The identical means 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 individuals, 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 reasonably secure guess 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 profitable. If SOMEHOW he will get referred to as out within the second group and he stands middle stage there, then the champ is trying – at greatest – for 4th or as little as sixth. It’s occurred earlier than and it may possibly occur once more.
If Hadi wins or seems to be to win, then Nick may very well 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, it will undoubtedly harm Walker. Not solely do many individuals doubt Walker can place within the Prime 3, in addition they doubt Hadi can maintain on. He’s too quick, a lot of his muscle tissue look suspect, and his form isn’t fairly to take a look at.
When you have got 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 drawback. Then you definately take 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 offer their absolute all, however that’s not the purpose. They simply don’t have the God-given circulation 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 obtained an entire physique however he additionally has that wow issue. I actually don’t know the way Derek misplaced to Hadi final 12 months, however that’s definitely 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, individuals are going to provide 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 profitable, 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 individuals – 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 be a co-owner of RAW Diet and when that firm dropped Shaun, I believed that was shitty. Jansen laughed at my critique however didn’t block me. And we nonetheless DM on occasion.
Nick, however, obtained all butthurt and blocked me. He even warned me on the Epic Block Social gathering in Ozone Park, NY, to “not be unfavourable.” What a device. 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 an ideal bodybuilder and can be an ideal ambassador as Mr. Olympia.
The issue with Nick is identical 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 the most effective freak variations of themselves in 2023 and it’s not going to end in them taking Sandow house. Solely time will inform.
Do you suppose Nick can crack the Prime 3? Do you suppose he can win the 2023 Mr. Olympia? Sadly, I don’t.