by Christian Duque
Over the course of the previous couple of weeks we’ve 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 speculated to be his return to greatness. I’d argue that final 12 months’s New York Professional was not that. I’d as a substitute 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 consider 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 consider that the Professional League is the premier physique-based federation on the earth. I don’t assume that there’s any competitors and whereas there have been some contenders through the years, they proceed to reign supreme.
I give credit score the place credit score is due. That being mentioned, I’m not one among these folks that believes that politics don’t have any place within the scoring and within the placings on the greatest and baddest exhibits. 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 perfect athletes on its stage potential. Nick was sadly injured and couldn’t compete (e.g. 2024 Arnold Basic). I additionally consider that he was sitting on the sidelines as a result of perhaps he didn’t assume 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 crushed him in Martin Fitzwater however that no person had ever heard of. Martin had merely gained Detroit and had an Olympia qualification. I don’t assume they have been about to provide him the win to him – regardless that he deserved it. Pittsburgh 2025 was speculated to be totally different. This was speculated to be Nick’s coming of age. Nick was supposed to return in and defeat all people in sight. The one drawback is that he didn’t anticipate Derek Lunsford to be there.
Although Nick has completely modified his tune almost about how he approaches the game and the way he offers with dissent, he’s nonetheless mainly the identical person who he’s at all times been. It’s because I don’t actually consider in PR makeovers. I feel that the intention is an effective one however that it’s rather a lot simpler mentioned than achieved. The one person who I’ve truly 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 Get together in Ozone Park, New York a few years in the past and he had informed me to “keep constructive.” I didn’t actually know what to make of that seeing as I’m a member of the media and my most vital purpose is to not be constructive, fairly, it’s to be brutally goal. Being constructive and goal don’t at all times go hand-in-hand. If you happen to 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 depart Matt down the street. To me, professional’s that block journalists are normally not the perfect ambassadors for the game. Blocking somebody means you’re the form of one that likes to reside in a bubble. GROW UP!
I wasn’t tremendous impressed with Nick almost about 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 measurement. In the end, when he did pose with Lunsford it appeared considerably compelled. When the placings have 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 begin questioning the leads to Pittsburgh. The truth that he gained in New York solely made issues worse as a result of the actual Nick Walker stood up and stood up shortly. All of the PR and inspirational quotes apart, Walker confirmed himself to be what I’ve at all times recognized him to be. A sore loser!
The actual fact is Nick has taken to saying all around the interwebs that he the truth is beat Derek. That’s categorically false as a result of Derek acquired 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 feel it’s an important distinction as a result of Nick Walker shouldn’t be in that prime three class in my view (on the present time). I don’t assume he could be Derek at his greatest, I don’t assume he can beat Hadi at his greatest, and I don’t assume he can beat Samson at his greatest. I do know that sure heavyweights within the business wish to put that on the market, however I feel that’s extra to promote tickets to the O than the rest.
I feel 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 when you took his look in New York and in contrast that look to Derek’s look in Pittsburgh, he nonetheless wouldn’t have gained 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 properly. It actually comes right down to the obligatory 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 exhibits that Nick continues to be the pompous asshole that he’s at all times 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 a variety of 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 as if the furthest factor from humble to me. It looks as if a really boastful assertion to make from a man who’s now advertising 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 acquired his ass handed to him by Martin Fitzwater and this 12 months he acquired practically beat by William Bonac. It is a man that’s banking on a variety of 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 rationale 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 stability, and when you take away the sheer measurement issue, what do you could have left? This isn’t the course the game ought to go in. And I definitely don’t assume that is what the New York Professional champion ought to seem like, both. In any case, the New York Professional is the third most vital present and by crowning a man with that sort of physique because the champion sends a foul message. I don’t assume Nick would have gained with both the New York or Pittsburgh physique in Columbus. And I don’t assume he would win in Las Vegas, both. I feel for him to say that he’s going to be a favourite for prime three shouldn’t be solely just a little foolish, however borderline comical.
However hey, perhaps my model of bodybuilding is outdated. What say you? And do you actually consider that Nick has modified his mind-set – or – is it simply an try to win over the naysayers? As at all times, I look ahead to studying your suggestions within the feedback. I personally don’t assume Nick will get prime three at this 12 months’s Mr O, however I assume we’ll simply have to attend and see. As at all times, thanks for studying my article, right here, at IronMag. Make sure you copy and paste a hyperlink to this text on your entire social media feeds. It can undoubtedly generate some full of life conversations.