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May 16, 2023

Derek Lunsford and Other Olympia Contenders Display Their Off-Season Mass Guest-Posing at 2023 Pittsburgh Pro

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This year’s Pittsburgh Pro felt like another appropriate preview of the Olympia.

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By now, many in the bodybuilding community understand the annual Pittsburgh Pro to be more than a major qualifying event on the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League calendar. In recent years, some of the most popular Mr. Olympia contenders in the Men’s Open division have appeared at the annual May contest to guest pose and offer a preview of their training progress in anticipation of the flagship Olympia later that fall. The 2023 iteration was no different.

On May 12-13, 2023, while champions like Michael Daboul (Classic Physique) were crowned during the official Pittsburgh Pro, Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, Samson Dauda, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, Hunter Labrada, and Shaun Clarida all guest-posed during the contest. The only notable absence, especially in the current Men’s Open pantheon, was defending Mr. Olympia champion Hadi Choopan. With nothing officially on the line for the slate of elite competitors, these six men still appeared on stage to tease how their sterling physiques are coming along for the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL, this early November.

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Amongst the guest posers at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro, Lunsford might be the presumed biggest contender to Choopan’s title. Lunsford is in the midst of training to improve upon a runner-up result in his first-ever appearance in the Men’s Open division at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. One of Lunsford’s main rivals, Nick Walker, believes the former 212 champion (2021) should be favored to win the 2023 Mr. Olympia. Bodybuilding legend Ronnie Coleman has also expressed his faith in Lunsford, anointing him as one of the next big things in the sport after a recent collaborative training session.

Walker’s faith in Lunsford is notable, given his status as one of bodybuilding’s top modern stars. Walker finished in third place at the 2022 Mr. Olympia and followed that up with a runner-up result at the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC). If anyone finally seems poised to break through from this field, it might be Walker.

Meanwhile, the 2023 AC victor, Samson Dauda, has started to receive hype as a legitimate Olympia titan. Icons like Jay Cutler have expressed that Dauda could be one of bodybuilding’s next big stars. It’s a label of high expectations that Dauda has not taken lightly. There’s also Elssbiay, who is coming off a disappointing sixth-place result at the 2022 Mr. Olympia after vying for a historic three-peat. The former two-time defending Olympia champion (2021, 2022) had previously skipped guest-posing at the 2022 Pittsburgh Pro and now appeared to be trying to build momentum toward another Olympia victory this November.

Labrada is in a similar position to Elssbiay, though he doesn’t have the resume of past Olympia victories to lean on. The athlete has expressed profound disappointment in his 2022 Olympia performance and vowed to have a more streamlined physique in 2023 in hopes of a huge rebound.

To round out this guest-posing group, Clarida, a two-time 212 champion (2020, 2022), will not be competing in the Men’s Open division at the 2023 Olympia. The athlete wishes to eventually break James “Flex” Lewis’s record of seven 212 Olympia titles (2012-2018) and will exclusively focus his efforts on that mission moving forward.

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Discerning the precise favorites for the 2023 Mr. Olympia would likely be impossible off one guest-posing appearance. Nonetheless, some of the top contenders for the tentpole contest made it a point to appear in Pittsburgh and show off what they might bring to the table in November.

With that, one of the unofficial first significant steps en route to this year’s Olympia is now in the rearview mirror.

Featured image: dereklunsford_ on Instagram

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April 19, 2023

Nick Walker Believes Derek Lunsford is His Main Obstacle to a 2023 Mr. Olympia Victory

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Walker doesn’t think highly of defending champion Hadi Choopan’s chances for a repeat.

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There are still months to go before the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL, but some of the top contenders for the Sandow Trophy are already posturing for their title chances. The 2022 Mr. Olympia third-place finisher Nick Walker recently shared an interesting outlook on the next edition of bodybuilding’s headline contest.

During the Apr. 17, 2023, YouTube episode of The Mutant And The Mouth, Walker discussed the 2023 Mr. Olympia outlook with his co-host Guy Cisternino. Not only did the superstar Walker express doubt in defending champion Hadi Choopan’s chances at a repeat, he painted Derek Lunsford as the athlete to beat in the Men’s Open division.

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To explain his rationale and confidence in his chances for the 2023 Olympia, Walker broke down part of the aftermath of the 2022 iteration. Even though he had shortcomings, Walker expressed he believes that Choopan and Lunsford finished at the top because they were ultimately comparable in their respective body compositions.

“I think I have a shot of winning any show that I do,” Walker said. “For the [2022] Olympia, I mean, the two people that were in front of me were Hadi [Choopan] and Derek [Lunsford], and I think they are very comparable. I think that’s why they were one and two.”

For Choopan, at least, this was where the endorsements from Walker ended.

While he respects his peer’s accomplishments, experience, and pedigree, Walker shared a rather frank assessment of Choopan adding another Olympia trophy to his mantel. Even though Choopan finished ahead of Walker and the entire field of competitors at the 2022 Olympia, he doesn’t believe he’ll be a repeat factor in November. That’s because Walker noted that he and Lunsford could be headed for a great battle.

It could be the start of a competitive, back-and-forth rivalry in the modern Men’s Open division.

“Listen, I love Hadi [Choopan] but I don’t see him repeating in my opinion,” Walker said. “And Derek … he could continue to beat me now that he has a full off-season actually to put the work in and put size on now, so we’ll see … People don’t understand, Derek [Lunsford] is not small by any means. Like, he’s a big guy and he’s got great shape.”

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Walker might profess that the 2023 Olympia will come down to him and Lunsford, an opinion seven-time Mr. Olympia champion (2011-2017) Phil Heath mostly shares. However, other bodybuilding icons like Jay Cutler and Miloš Šarčev disagree. While they don’t doubt Walker or Lunsford’s individual merits, the pair have talked up Samson Dauda — the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) winner — and his shot at a first Mr. Olympia victory. Dauda himself has similarly bought into his rising hype.

At this point in the competitive calendar, the only assertion that seems clear is that the 2023 Mr. Olympia could shape up to be an all-out battle royale on stage.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

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April 13, 2023

Phil Heath Names Top 2023 Olympia Contenders, Teases Potential Return

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Heath knows who he expects to win the next Olympia. He also knows how he might return to competition.

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Few bodybuilders will ever be able to match Phil Heath’s competitive rap sheet. With seven consecutive Mr. Olympia titles from 2011-2017, only Arnold Schwarzenegger (seven Olympia wins) and Ronnie Coleman and Lee Haney (eight Olympia wins each) are on par with the modern titan. Such a reality potentially makes Heath’s prognostication for the 2023 Mr. Olympia all the more intriguing.

On Apr. 11, 2023, Heath appeared in a YouTube interview with The Voice of Bodybuilding, Bob Cicherillo, to discuss the upcoming Olympia. In the process, Heath named some of his top contenders for the title, including defending champion Hadi Choopan. The living legend even touched upon what it would take for him to return to the stage in posing trunks.

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Before breaking down who he thinks could topple Choopan, Heath gave the athlete a wholehearted endorsement for a repeat title. It’s Choopan’s background, in addition to his elite fitness, that Heath thinks provides the champion with bodybuilder an edge over his peers.

“I think Hadi’s [Choopan] a repeat champion,” Heath said. “… You got to look at someone’s origin. Champions have a specific origin of how they got here in the first place. You think of someone that has grown up in that environment in Iran. Everything matters. This thing means everything to him and his country. There’s a lot of expectations, but he’s met those expectations in a very quick period of time. He’s never really been off.”

As for who could unseat Choopan, Heath likes the potential of Derek Lunsford and Nick Walker. Perhaps not by coincidence, Lunsford was the 2022 Olympia runner-up after transitioning from the 212 class, while Walker finished in third place.

For different reasons, this trio appears to be bodybuilding’s top Cerberus monster of sorts.

“It’s a three-headed monster at this point,” Heath explained. “It’s either Derek [Lunsford] and I can make a case for Nick [Walker]. Nick is an anomaly, he’s very different … It’s going to cancel out a lot of guys because of the density and muscle maturity, because those two [Choopan and Walker] won’t be out-conditioned. The cool thing about Derek [Lunsford] is, now he’s comfortable in that [Men’s] Open body. He’s a hard worker, got a good support system, a good coach.”

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As for his own personal competitive prospects, Heath still has no forthcoming plans to return to a bodybuilding stage. The 43-year-old icon never officially retired but hasn’t competed in nearly three years. His last competitive appearance on-stage was a third-place finish at the 2020 Mr. Olympia, when Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay captured his first title.

Heath told Cicherillo that, at the right lucrative price for one of the sport’s biggest names, he might well return to compete soon enough.

“I produce a lot of numbers,” Heath clarified. “I know my worth, it’s worth way more than $100,000 [Heath’s purse for third place at the 2020 Olympia] … There’s definitely a number, they [Olympia organizers] have to come up. It would have to make sense … We would have to have a meeting of the minds and actually figure it out.”

Featured image: @arnoldsports on Instagram

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March 24, 2023

Derek Lunsford, Nick Walker, And Other Men’s Open Stars Will Guest Pose at 2023 Pittsburgh Pro

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Bodybuilding gets a small taste of this year’s Olympia in early May.

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It’ll be a long wait for the 2023 Mr. Olympia. With this year’s flagship bodybuilding contest not occurring until Nov. 3-5, 2023, in Orlando, FL, there’s a lot of time for the stars of the Men’s Open division to gather themselves. This spring, they’ll be offering a teaser of what might come by appearing together at a relatively smaller scale International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League competition.

On Mar. 23, 2023, the National Physique Committee (NPC) organizers of the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro revealed who will be guest posing during this year’s competition the weekend of May 12-13. Here is an overview of big names who are expected to show off an early spring look at their physique with nothing tangible on the line:

2023 Pittsburgh Pro Guest Posing Athletes

Reigning four-time Classic Physique Olympia champion (2019-2022) Chris Bumstead has also been announced to make a special appearance, but he is not expected to guest pose.

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Save for the defending Mr. Olympia, Hadi Choopan, this list of guest posers at the latest Pittsburgh Pro is arguably a laundry list of potential contenders for the next Mr. Olympia title. There could always be an unexpected dark horse making a run out of the blue, but one of these names (with Choopan included) will likely be the 2023 Olympia victor.

Assuredly, there is no shortage of storylines leading into this first look at most of the main 2023 Mr. Olympia slate.

For Lunsford, after successfully transitioning from the 212 division, the athlete will now likely be pulling out all the stops to win his first Mr. Olympia title. Taking home a runner-up in his first Men’s Open try might have only been the start of a fruitful career in the top bodybuilding class. When it comes to Walker, “The Mutant” has submitted relatively disappointing performances of late. Two consecutive podium results at the 2022 Olympia and 2023 AC are nothing to sneeze at, but Walker expected to win. That makes what he brings to the stage in Orlando potentially even more exciting.

Elssbiay returns to guest pose at the Pittsburgh Pro after skipping the 2022 iteration. The former two-time Olympia champion has recently dipped a bit, performance-wise, and could be using the Pittsburgh Pro as a way to build some momentum heading into another Olympia appearance in the fall. Dauda surprised the bodybuilding world with his new AC title, but some established icons don’t think any coming victories will be much of a shock anymore. He’s undoubtedly seemed to establish himself as a household name.

Finally, amongst the main pantheon featured at the Pittsburgh Pro, Clarida will likely just be moonlighting guest posing among Men’s Open contenders as he pushes for a 212 Olympia title record. It doesn’t appear “The Giant Killer” will be slaying any of the athletes on stage in a primary competition any time soon. As for Labrada, after finishing in seventh place at the 2022 Olympia, he didn’t seem to be contending well with the outside noise. The athlete has been planning a streamlined physique in 2023, which he might show a glimpse of in the early stages in May.

At the time of this article’s publication, it is unclear what role Bumstead plans to play at the Pittsburgh Pro given that he isn’t guest posing. However, having another superstar on hand is always welcome by fans.

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From a competitive perspective, nothing meaningful is on the line for any of these dynamos at the 2023 Pittsburgh Pro. They are merely there to partly provide a public update on their training progress while fulfilling IFBB appearance “obligations” of sorts. That said, seeing the current elite mix of Men’s Open bodybuilders is one rousing way to stir up debate and draw attention before they actually duke it out on stage later this year.

Featured image: @npcifbbpropittsburgh on Instagram

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February 16, 2023

Nick Walker Shares Physique Update Two Weeks Ahead of 2023 Arnold Classic

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“The Mutant” wants to be called a two-time winner.

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The 2023 Arnold Classic is set to take place throughout the weekend of Mar. 2-5, 2023 in Columbus, OH. One of the 10 confirmed bodybuilders competing in the Men’s Open contest is 2021 winner Nick Walker. Many fans are looking at him as the favorite to win the contest, and both four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler and seven-time 212 Olympia champion Flex Lewis agree with Walker’s chances. Meanwhile, Walker himself is expressing confidence by sharing a series of progress photos with just two weeks until he appears on stage.

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On Feb. 14, 2023, Walker posted a photo of himself revealing a defined and vascular set of abdominals on Instagram. In following days, he also shared a side chest pose photo, as well as a pic lifting up his shirt to perform what he called a “quick ab check after training hamstrings.”

Critics have previously knocked Walker for having what they call a “blocky” physique, meaning he lacks symmetry and a narrow waistline. His recent photos, however, have received a fair share of positive comments from his supporters.

While the photos are fairly self-evident, Walker hasn’t shared much else about his progress such as his current body weight. He is working with coach Matt Jansen, who helped him earn his first Arnold Classic win in 2021. Walker and Jansen went on to work together for that year’s Mr. Olympia contest, where Walker placed 5th. That was his first Olympia as a competitor.

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Walker and Jansen then went their separate ways briefly in 2022, but they reunited and worked together again for the 2022 Mr. Olympia contest in Las Vegas, NV. Walker would improve from his debut year and place third — higher than 2019 Mr. Olympia winner Brandon Curry (4th) as well as two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay (5th). Hadi Choopan would go on to win the 2022 Mr. Olympia title.

Out of the competitors in the 2023 Arnold Classic field, the only two men that Walker has yet to defeat on a professional stage are, coincidentally, 212 competitors. Two-time 212 Olympia champion Shaun Clarida and 2019 Olympia 212 winner Kamal Elgargni are both making the jump into the open for this contest. They will be facing Walker, and other top contenders, for the first time. All 10 contestants will be looking to win the title, along with the $300,000 first place prize which was recently raised from the 2022 contest’s $200,000 award.

Tickets to the Arnold Classic and access to the pay-per-view of the contest, provided by Fanmio, can be obtained through www.arnoldsports.com.

Featured Image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

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January 27, 2023

Jay Cutler Pegs Nick Walker as His 2023 Arnold Classic Favorite

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Cutler is a huge fan of Walker’s prospects this year.

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Nick Walker has spent the better part of the roughly last two years turning heads. The young bodybuilder won the 2021 Arnold Classic, took home a top-five debut result at the 2021 Mr. Olympia, and followed that performance with a podium finish behind Derek Lunsford (second) and Hadi Choopan (first) at the 2022 Olympia. As the next chapter of his already productive career unfolds, Walker will first tackle the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) in March. It’s there where an established legend thinks the athlete should be the favorite.

On Jan. 26, 2023, during a podcast episode of The Cutler Cast, four-time Mr. Olympia champion (2006-2007, 2009-2010) Jay Cutler and esteemed trainer Miloš Šarčev discussed storylines and potential comparisons for the upcoming AC. One of the Cutler’s main points was that he believes Walker has a pole position for the Columbus, OH, contest on Mar. 2-5, 2023. It’s quite the endorsement for Walker from a respected competitor who, himself, is one of only four athletes to win the AC three times — Cutler captured the title in 2002-2004.

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While the final complete roster for the 2023 AC hasn’t been confirmed at the time of this writing, Cutler expressed to Šarčev that he thinks the other athletes aren’t on par with Walker’s overall build. Notably, some of the early confirmed competitors include former two-time winner William Bonac (2018, 2020), Samson Dauda, Kamal Elgargni, and Akim Williams.

“Are the big dudes going to have enough combination to push Nick [Walker] to the side?” Cutler said rhetorically. “I have a hard time believing that.”

The only peer Cutler seems to believe can truly push Walker is former two-time Mr. Olympia (2020-2021), Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. The Egyptian athlete had previously revealed he would compete at the 2023 AC in his second career appearance at the contest, having placed third in 2020. To Cutler, even with a disappointing fifth-place finish at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, if Elssbiay shows up in top form, it could morph into quite a battle.

“Ramy [Elssbiay] wasn’t full [at the 2022 Mr. Olympia],” Cutler said. “Ramy needed to be Ramy. His skin would have been tighter. His appearance, there would have been more roundness to everything. Listen, Ramy, we talked about it. If Ramy is 100 percent, he beats everybody. He’s still Big Ramy.”

That said, Cutler seems to sense something special and innate in Walker’s competitive mindset. He alluded to the point that Walker won’t let himself fall short so easily now that he’s established superstar in bodybuilding. As a result, for Cutler, a second AC title is clearly in the works for Walker.

“ … I just know Nick’s [Walker] mindset,” Cutler explained. “I know his vision. I know every night before he goes to bed, he’s visualizing winning this competition. And sometimes, you can’t overtake someone’s willpower. He believes more than anyone else on this planet. We can talk about the confidence of these people leading into these shows … I just don’t think there’s anyone more dedicated than Nick Walker. I think in the end, he’ll be a two-time champ.”

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From the time of Cutler’s prediction, the 2023 AC is still a ways off. A lot can change in the coming weeks before Walker and the other respective athletes take the stage in Columbus. It’s possible that another top-tier challenger who can duke it out with Walker on stage might emerge. Until then, Walker seems to have Cutler’s wholehearted seal of approval, and that is no small thing.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

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January 20, 2023

Nick Walker Is Prepared for Rivalry With Derek Lunsford

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Walker is keeping close tabs on Lunsford.

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In the current bodybuilding pantheon, few names are as big as Nick Walker and Derek Lunsford. The two young athletes have stormed respective paths to the forefront of the sport, seemingly becoming titans overnight. Walker first arguably came to prominence by winning the 2021 Arnold Classic, while Lunsford, the former 212 Olympia champion (2021), recently came in second in a debut Men’s Open performance at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. Lunsford would fall just short of beating new Mr. Olympia champion Hadi Choopan. Moving forward, by virtue of being in the same division, the pair will inevitable butt heads on stage now and again. This reality is clearly not lost on Walker.

On Jan. 19, 2023, during an episode of The Mutant and The Mouth podcast, Walker talked about his official prospects at the upcoming 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) in Columbus, OH. In the process, the discussion about the Mar. 2-5, 2023, contest — which recently announced a $300,000 first-place prize — eventually centered around Lunsford. That is to say: Walker is keeping a close eye on his elite peer.

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One of the first notes Walker clarifies about Lunsford is his status at the 2023 AC. Given the language Walker uses, it initially appeared he wasn’t aware that Lunsford confirmed he would not compete at the contest, but Walker later clarified that they wouldn’t face each other on stage quite yet. Nonetheless, Walker speculates about his rival’s current physique and why he’d take a step back from a significant tentpole competition.

It appears Walker believes Lunsford is having to make an adjustment to the size of the Men’s Open category, as opposed adhering to the 212 division’s weight limit. Therein, Lunsford might be taking his time to train and build size before he competes again.

“I’ve heard through the grapevine that he’s [Derek Lunsford] not doing the Arnold [Classic],” Walker said. “This is where I’m going to jump in. Did he add muscle or did he just keep it without losing it? I think he restricted himself [in previous] off-seasons [to fit the 212 Olympia weight class]. So I think what he gained back [when preparing for the 2023 Men’s Open Olympia] is what he normally has, plus maybe a little bit more, I’ll say. But he didn’t put on an astronomical amount of mass. He just didn’t have to suffer and lose mass to make 212.”

As someone who will potentially stand in the way of potential coming victories, Walker noted he’ll be watching for the gains Lunsford makes. Walker seems to think the coming off-season will be vital for Lunsford as he commits fully to the Men’s Open and tries to win the 2023 Mr. Olympia. That contest will take place on Nov. 2-5, 2023, in Orlando, FL.

“This will be the off-season where we’ll see how much tissue he [Lunsford] puts on and we’ll see what he looks like when he stands on the [2023] Olympia stage.” 

As for why Walker elected to compete in the AC again rather than focus his efforts entirely on his Olympia preparation, the answer is simple. The new lucrative prize incentivized him to return to the Columbus, OH, stage.

“They [The Arnold Sports Festival] gave me until after the holidays to think about it,” Walker said. ” … I felt good. So they reached out again, they basically said they were going to up the prize money to $300,000. I said ‘count me in.’”

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Walker has already been quite outspoken about what might lie ahead in 2023. In early January, he noted he was satisfied with a third-place result at the 2022 Olympia but probably could’ve finished higher in an ideal world. Before he works to improve on such results, he’ll first put his crosshairs on a second AC title. While he won’t have to worry about Lunsford at that particular contest, Walker seems to understand it might only be a matter of time before he and Lunsford cross paths again.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

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January 13, 2023

Nick Walker Will Return to 2023 Arnold Classic

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“The Mutant” is hungry for another Arnold Classic title.

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Nick “The Mutant” Walker wasn’t always a hulking phenom — one of modern bodybuilding’s top competitors. Then he won the 2021 Arnold Classic (AC) during his International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness (IFBB) Pro League rookie year, and he’s seemingly only become more high profile by the day ever since. A fifth-place result at the 2021 Mr. Olympia was a fitting cherry on top for an athlete who seemed like the next big thing in the sport. Now, after a podium performance at the 2022 Mr. Olympia, Walker will be wasting no time getting back on the mass warpath. He’ll return to some of his roots to do it.

On Jan. 12, 2023, the Arnold Sports Festival revealed that Walker would compete at the 2023 edition of the Arnold Classic. The contest is currently scheduled for Mar. 2-5, 2023, in Columbus, OH, where, unsurprisingly, several other established superstars already plan to gather. A stacked field likely won’t intimidate Walker, who seems to be on a determined mission to make it two vaunted AC titles in three years.

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Walker’s AC return announcement came shortly after the Arnold Sports Festival announced that this year’s first-place prize money would be upped to $300,000 for the Men’s Open winner. That compensation is almost three times Walker’s victory winnings of $130,000 in 2021, partly signifying the tremendous rapid growth of the competition and its significance.

In a quick post on his Instagram, Walker tersely but efficiently elaborated on the news of his return to the AC. He shared a picture from his winning performance at the 2021 iteration with a caption of “run it back,” with obvious intentions of overcoming his elite peers on the Columbus, OH, stage again.

Walker will face no shortage of worthy challengers to etch his name as the Arnold Classic winner for the second time in three years.

For example, two-time winner William Bonac will seek his third career AC crown (2018, 2022), a feat only four other bodybuilders have accomplished in the contest’s 33-year history. At the same time, a newer ascending star like Samson Dauda will also be vying for the momentous championship. Other notable confirmed names so far include Kamal Elgargni and Akim Williams.

Notably, a group of relative newcomers in Derek Lunsford, Blessing Awodibu, and Michal “Križo” Križánek announced plans to skip the tentpole contest. Each of the three athletes made a distinction that they’d prefer to get some rest before focusing most of their efforts on an improved performance at the 2023 Olympia in November. Lunsford, in particular, as the 2022 runner-up in his Men’s Open debut, might have the most realistic chance of reaching those lofty goals.

At the time of this article’s publication, it is unclear if another two-time AC victor (2019, 2022) and the reigning champion, Brandon Curry, will come back to defend his title.

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The 2023 Arnold Classic is already shaping up to be a battlefield if announcements like Walker’s expected appearance mean anything. With the new year up and rolling, March’s competition will likely be a memorable addition to bodybuilding lore.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

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The 2023 Arnold Classic Increases Prize Money, Men’s Open Winner Receives $300,000

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A lucrative reward awaits whoever can stand on top of the podium in Columbus.

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It’s not precisely on par with the Olympia contest, but the annual Arnold Classic (AC) arguably holds as much prestige and influence, being considered one of the major contests on the bodybuilding calendar. When some of the world’s best bodybuilders travel to Columbus, OH, to take the stage on Mar. 3-4, 2023 for the latest edition, they can take solace in knowing one thing. A victory will be rewarded more handsomely than ever.

On Jan. 12, 2023, the Arnold Sports Festival organizing body put out a press release on their website and posted to Instagram announcing the prize for winning the Men’s Open division at the 2023 AC will be $300,000. That is a $100,000 increase from the $200,000 reigning AC winner Brandon Curry took home in 2022. It builds on a significant increase from previous years when former champion Nick Walker won $130,000 after the 2021 iteration, and inches closer to the $400,000 top prize earned by Hadi Choopan after winning the 2022 Mr. Olympia.

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In the press release, Arnold Schwarzenegger elaborated on the significance of the growth of the Arnold Classic.

“From the first time we hosted a bodybuilding championship in Columbus in 1976, my goal has been increasing the prize money to reward these fantastic athletes,” Schwarzenegger said. “I am excited to announce that this year’s winner of the Arnold Classic will win a record $300,000.”

As for who will travel to Ohio to vie for the newest AC title, a few past champions, big names, and up-and-comers highlight the Men’s Open. On Jan. 12, 2023, the organization revealed that Nick Walker would return to the 2023 AC and the contest that arguably first helped him build his sterling reputation in professional bodybuilding. Past winner (2018, 2020) William Bonac will also return to the Columbus stage. Meanwhile, two-time 212 Olympia winner Shaun Clarida (2020, 2022) will try to challenge both men. Other confirmed Men’s Open competitors include Samson Dauda, Kamal Elgargni, Justin Rodriguez, and Akim Williams.

Notably, a recent cadre of elite bodybuilders revealed they had either withdrawn or declined their invitations to the 2023 Arnold Classic. At the time of this writing, that group features the second-place finisher at the 2022 Mr. Olympia in Derek Lunsford, Blessing Awodibu, and Michal “Križo” Križánek.

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As the 2023 competitive bodybuilding season develops, the 2023 Arnold Classic will undoubtedly be one of the first significant steps toward making it a year to remember. Eventually, one focused athlete with incredible mass and a ripped physique will have the great fortune of leaving Columbus, OH, $300,000 richer for their diligent efforts.

Featured Image: @nick_walker39 / Instagram

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January 9, 2023

Nick Walker Reflects on 2022 Mr. Olympia Performance, Thinks He Could’ve Fared Better

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Walker wasn’t satisfied with his latest Olympia output, and teased a resurgence.

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Nick Walker entered the 2022 Mr. Olympia with legitimate aspirations of capturing bodybuilding’s most illustrious title. A top-five finisher in his debut in 2021, many presumed Walker would improve upon that result and push former two-time reigning champion Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay for the crown. As it turns out, Elssbiay would fall short of defending his title, but to Hadi Choopan instead. Walker would technically build upon his debut Olympia by finishing in third, but it still wasn’t exactly what he wanted.

On Jan. 1, 2023, Walker appeared in a YouTube podcast episode of The Mutant & The Mouth. The discussion saw him reflect on his 2022 Olympia performance and look ahead to potentially completing his ascent to the top of bodybuilding’s highest peak in 2023. (Note: There is NSFW language in the video.)

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Walker doesn’t mince his words about his performance. In a frank assessment, the athlete admits he was pleased with his third-place result but thinks he probably should’ve and could’ve finished even higher in an ideal set-up. At the same time, he acknowledged that he, Derek Lunsford (second place), and Choopan might be duking it out at the top of the current Olympia pantheon for a little while. That is unless rising stars like Samson Dauda (sixth place) and Andrew Jacked (eighth place) break up the party.

“I’m very happy I took third [place],” Walker explained. “But I think, as an overall package, I think I could have been second. Derek [Lunsford], Hadi [Choopan], and I will probably be battling this out for years unless Samson [Dauda] comes out of the woodwork or if Andrew [Jacked] nails it one time. I do believe us three will be there for quite some time.”

It’s the latter two competitors in Dauda and Jacked that Walker seemed surprised by. The pair made enough of an impression on Walker for him to believe they could make some real noise with the proper refinements over the next approximate year.

“I arguably could have probably had Samson [Dauda] beating Ramy [Elssbiay] to be honest,” Walker said. “Samson’s a freak. I’m definitely excited to see what he can do at the Arnold [the Arnold Classic in March 2023], and what he can do at next year’s Olympia [in November 2023]. My personal opinion of Samson is I think he should sit out the Arnold and focus on making more improvements for the Olympia. He could cause a lot of havoc. His only downfall was he wasn’t conditioned enough. … Andrew [Jacked] made us look like amateurs. When this man was just chilling in his little Speedo, just relaxing, you’re just like, ‘What the [expletive] is that?’ He is one of the nicest guys.”

Walker himself will not be participating in the 2023 Arnold Classic. Much like the year 2022, he will center his efforts on training for the Olympia to optimize his best hopeful possible results.

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Like many of his peers, the year 2023 will be pivotal for Walker. Already a household name in the bodybuilding sphere, all that’s left for him to accomplish is capturing his first career Olympia title. The next edition of the contest will take place sometime in November 2023 in Orlando, FL. Given some of the names he was impressed by, that task likely won’t come easily. As Walker assuredly understands, winning the sport’s most prestigious prize rarely comes without a few challenges.

Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram

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