The 2024 New York Pro, considered the third-most prestigious bodybuilding event of the year, is almost here. In a recent offering on YouTube, head judge Steve Weinberger and Bob Cicherillo discussed the show’s frontrunners including Nick Walker and Quinton Eriya.
Steve Weinberger’s annual New York Pro takes place May 18 this weekend. The Men’s Open division will serve as the marquee headliner as a handful of the world’s best talents aim to secure their 2024 Mr. Olympia qualification. Nick Walker has plans for redemption after failing to make it to the Olympia stage last year due to a devastating hamstring injury.
If ‘The Mutant’ wants to raise gold above his head, he must get through a murderer’s row of contenders. Reigning 2023 New York Pro champion Tonio Burton, Quinton Eriya, ‘Beef’ Stuart Sutherland, and Detroit Pro winner Martin Fitzwater will all be after the coveted NY ring and a $30,000 cash prize.
Bob Cicherillo Talks 2024 New York Pro W/ Steve Weinberger, Picks Quinton Eriya to Upset Nick Walker
After the Mr. Olympia and Arnold Classic, Weinberger underlined that the New York Pro holds the best reputation of any IFBB Pro show.
Level Up Your Fitness: Join our 💪 strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!
“I think after the Olympia and the Arnold, the New York Pro is in my opinion the best show. So, if you’re not ready for the Arnold or the Olympia and you want to get your feet wet in a Pro show and test the waters, the New York Pro is a great place to do that before the Arnold or the Olympia,” shares Steve Weinberger.
“This year is no exception. We have a great lineup this year. It’s going to be a tough show in all divisions. I don’t know. I just think after those two monster shows, this has the next reputation. So, in my opinion, it’s the third show.”
Despite the overwhelming public support for Nick Walker, athlete rep Bob Cicherillo is picking Quinton Eriya to win in New York.
“I got to go by what I see. I know all the experts are picking him and that’s great, but I pick Big Q. I picked Quinton Beastwood, let me tell you something, this guy is for real.
If anybody saw the shots of him, that’s a pure physique. He’s another Phil Heath-type guy where you look at him, he’s a lot taller, he’s six-foot-two, he’s huge. Anyone that has seen him in person, this guy has a lot of muscle.”
Given the lineup, Weinberger mentioned that cracking the top five will be extremely challenging.
“Yeah, he’s huge [Quinton Eriya]. You’ve got to take him into consideration. Stu came second last year. Tonio won last year, it’s a stacked lineup. You know what I mean? I saw Fitz in the gym, Martin, he looked amazing, he looked really good. It’s going to be a — it’s going to be hard to get in that top five. It’s really not going to be an easy task.”
During the recent guest posing event in Pittsburgh, Bob Cicherillo thought Nick Walker’s physique was underwhelming.
“Yes, all things considered. Listen, Nick is a great bodybuilder. We know all that. I give him credit where it’s due. But I got to be honest, I was not blown away in Pittsburgh. I was a little underwhelmed with what I saw. I know a lot can happen in a week. We all know that.”
Although he backed Eriya to come out on top, Cicherillo emphasized that Walker’s only chance at gold would be presenting a ‘Branch Warren 2.0’ physique, complete with grainy muscle detail.
“So, I’m not saying anything about that but he was having a very hard time with the midsection and that’s not his best part. He’s very thick through the middle. His proportions are not the best.
We’ve been saying that since day one. If he’s going to win, he’s like a Branch Warren 2.0 he’s got to be ripped, he’s got to be grainy, gnarly, and hard, but that’s always in the absence of someone who presents a better physique.”
While fans have largely gotten behind Walker’s chances in New York, Cicherillo contends that the show will be much closer than people think.
“If you look at Quinton, okay? And what I’ve seen and his changes and improvements, he checks a lot of boxes off right off the bat. He’s got better shape, better proportions, better symmetry, he’s a foot taller than Nick okay? And he’s very broad. That’s a lot of good boxes to check off. Yes, Nick is going to be a little thicker from the side but the side is only two poses. I think this could be a lot closer than people think.”
Days before the contest in New York, Weinberger spoke with Nick Walker about his future in the Open class. In addition to comparing his back shots to six-time Mr. Olympia Dorian Yates, Weinberger offered ‘The Mutant’ tips on how to defeat Derek Lunsford in October.
If Nick Walker can leave New York with the victory, he will be one step closer to performing at the Mr. Olympia. Fans look forward to welcoming the world’s best to the stage from October 10-13 for the organization’s 60th anniversary.
RELATED: Dennis James, Milos Sarcev, and Chris Cormier Give Top 5 Predictions for 2024 New York Pro
Watch the full video from the OlympiaTV YouTube channel below:
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.
