by Christian Duque
Akim Williams hit the bottom operating on the prestigious 2024 Massive Man Weekend, profitable the final contest of 2024 in prime kind. There’s no higher strategy to finish the yr than to go away the followers with a reminder that this Prime 6 Olympian is to not be missed. Relating to working laborious, I believe that we’ve got to acknowledge that Northeast bodybuilders actually convey it on an entire new stage.
Akim is the form of man who trains laborious and doesn’t want an entire lot of social media postings to memorialize it. I bear in mind assembly him as soon as for a exercise and interview on the East Coast Mecca Bev Francis Powerhouse Gymnasium in Syosset New York. He began warming up if I’m not mistaken with 405 lb on the squat rack. He was doing these reps like they had been actually nothing. In any case, Akim was one of many greatest bodybuilders on the scene. I nonetheless bear in mind seeing him all these years on the Arnold Basic and the Olympia. I imply he was actually bigger than life. However the distinction between Akim and numerous the fellows that had been packing on tons of weight is that Akim had the potential to go very far within the sport – and did. Bear in mind, not simply anyone goes to the Olympia and cracks the Prime 6. It’s a really very troublesome endeavor and it was one which he pinpointed that yr. That yr that Akim took sixth he had stated that he would do it and he did. It’s nearly like a Babe Ruth kind factor (the place he pointed into the stands and hit the ball proper at them).
The issue with Akim is that he’s your straight up New York bodybuilder. They prepare legs on an entire completely different stage than they do out west. In reality for years it was a joke that the fellows in California couldn’t maintain a candle to the fellows within the Northeast when it got here to wheel improvement. When it got here to squats, leg presses, even leg extensions, these guys paled compared. And that’s most likely as a result of in New York, Connecticut – The Tri-State space, when winter hits there isn’t lots to do. It isn’t like California the place it’s at all times summer season. Within the colder States when snow is all over the place and persons are making an attempt to remain indoors, these are the right situations for hardcore coaching. The fitness center turns into a sanctuary. And within the fitness center these guys take it to the following stage. They’re not eager about taking it flippantly or hitting up the juice bar and bullshitting for two hours post-workout. Once they go to the fitness center each minute is accounted for. It isn’t a pastime, it’s a lifestyle. It’s actually like a day within the workplace. Every thing they do there compliments what they do within the kitchen, with the chiropractor, and posing within the mirror. That’s the reason after we did the interview at Bev’s – we didn’t wish to change something a couple of regular day within the lifetime of a prime professional bodybuilder.
Quite a lot of bodybuilders that I’ve interviewed over time will spend a considerable period of time making an attempt to determine what to coach and what to say. For Akim like I stated, it was second nature. And the identical factor utilized for all of the expos. What I like about him is that he’s very targeted on what he must do. He’s one of the educated bodybuilders on the planet, however he understands that every one of his training stops on the door with regards to coaching. He doesn’t act as if he is aware of all the pieces. I believe he is among the most humble bodybuilders on the market as a result of he’s continuously studying and his humility permits him to maintain an open thoughts to completely different methodologies. He’s labored with some fairly good coaches which have fairly alternative ways of doing issues. However I’ve by no means seen him at a contest wanting something lower than his greatest. He’s by no means fats or off form. He at all times exhibits super respect for the stage, which is a really old-fashioned attribute that’s misplaced upon numerous athletes as we speak. Quite a lot of prime opponents have had situations the place they seemed completely laughable. And that’s a product of contemporary occasions the place the stage doesn’t get the distinction it deserves.
I’ve little doubt that Akim may have certified at a present at first of the season in 2025. I don’t assume that doing this explicit present meant that he couldn’t win a much bigger one however I do assume 2025 goes to be an attention-grabbing yr with reference to the larger exhibits. I believe we may see Akim doubtlessly do the New York Professional or the Arnold Basic. I believe we may additionally see him do his best Olympia outing since he took prime six just some quick years in the past. There must be a cause for why he needs to qualify this early. Quite a lot of occasions guys try this as a result of they wish to spend a whole yr perfecting their physique. It is because they’re making an attempt to do one thing very particular with the upcoming yr. Possibly Williams simply wished to compete in December, however actually who needs to prep this near Christmas? And who needs to prep throughout Thanksgiving? Let me let you know one thing, I don’t assume anyone needs to do a present in late November or early December. However I believe that if Akim’s after spending as a lot time as potential bringing the absolute best physique to the Olympia stage, it makes all of the sense on the planet. He’ll mainly have a full yr. And a full yr for a man like Akim is mainly his means of writing his personal ticket.
I believe that his commanding win at The Massive Man sends a really robust message to everybody else that will likely be Olympia certified. When Akim hits the stage in Las Vegas Nevada in 2025 he’s going to make a serious affect. He can have labored each little bit of a yr to get there and I’ve a sense he’s going to shock the world. I’d prefer to ship Akim enormous congratulations – not just for doing this contest – however clearly for profitable it in the way in which that he did. No person is saying it was an in depth one and no person is saying that he didn’t should win. That is going to be one for the report books and 2025 is most actually going to be an enormous yr for The Brooklyn Beast, AKIM WILLIAMS!