Questions surrounding Nick ‘The Mutant’ Walker‘s chances at 2024 Mr. Olympia are swirling ahead of the blockbuster event. In the latest Rx Muscle Heavy Muscle Radio show, Chris Aceto discussed the wide waist criticisms of Walker and opened up on how he might stack up against the competition this October.
Grit, perseverance, and determination. These are all qualities that Nick Walker boasts in spades. He proved that after being forced to bow out of the 2023 Olympia. Just days before testing himself against the Open’s cream of the crop, Walker withdrew from the marquee show due to a hamstring and calf tear.
While he could have waited on the sidelines in hopes of receiving a special invitation, Walker wanted to earn his way to the 2024 Mr. Olympia. He bet on himself at the 2024 New York Pro in May, where he came out on top against Martin Fitzwater by only a point in prejudging and the finals. With concerns about the size of his waist coming up, coach Aceto assessed whether or not it could hold him back from success in a few months.
Chris Aceto Discusses Nick Walker’s Wide Waist Criticisms Months from 2024 Mr. Olympia: ‘It’s Not a Negative’
In Aceto’s opinion, Walker gets a bad rap for the size of his waist. He doesn’t believe it’s a negative, especially when Walker sits down on his abs to hit a powerful front double biceps pose.
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“Nothing negative, more of the same. I mean, he always looks good in these posted pictures, blah, blah, blah,” said Aceto. “I think his waistline is his waistline. It’s not the smallest, but it’s not a negative. It’s certainly not a negative. He can sit on his abs in the front double.
I think he gets a slight bum rap that he has a wide waist. He doesn’t have a wide waist but I mean, he’s not Flex Wheeler but he’s got a good-looking midsection because he has abs.”
If he had to nitpick Walker’s physique, he believes the Open star’s legs are short and that his torso looks long in certain areas. Because Walker is always in shape on stage, Aceto doesn’t believe these factors will prevent him from finding success against his rivals.
“If you want to nitpick or Nick-pick and I see… his torso is a little long in certain areas and the legs are a little short. But, I think – I don’t think it really matters that much. I think when you look at a photo like that you can see it but on stage, it’s definitely less apparent because when he hits his shots, you can hide a lot when you’re looking at something.
You can hide a lot when you’re looking at something. If he wasn’t in shape, you’d say, ‘Ah, shorter legs and longer torso.’ But when he’s in shape, which is pretty much always, you wouldn’t say that. The only way you would say it is if you’re standing next to somebody with like perfect shape.”
Considering how close the contest was between Walker and Martin Fitwzater in New York, Aceto argues names like Rafael Brandao could give ‘The Mutant’ trouble on the Olympia stage.
“You can go down the line with that. He beats Fitzwater by a point. Fitzwater beats Good Vito by a point. Good Vito can’t even when the Brazil Arnold. So that means Rafael is in there. I think it’s just who shows up that day. It’s apples and oranges. I know what it takes to win that show for sure.”
“I would never doubt the mental toughness of anyone in the top six period,” Aceto adds.
While preparing for his third run at the Mr. Olympia title, Walker has addressed criticisms of his midsection. He accepts that once you reach a certain point in bodybuilding, negativity follows you.
“I just think that when you’re at the top now, it’s just, unfortunately, negativity gets views. So, they are just going to nitpick every–I mean nowadays, people can know if you’re just being dumb, like okay, that’s stupid.
But with me and the waist, I’ll never–that’ll be my nickname forever basically. I could come in, I feel like I could practice getting a vacuum, hit it on stage, and everyone would be like, ‘Oh, his obliques were still wide though.’”
If Walker wants to leave Sin City with the Sandow trophy, he’ll have to outshine a crop of the world’s best talents, including the reigning champion Derek Lunsford, former champion Hadi Choopan, and last year’s third-place Olympia finisher, Samson Dauda. Given the deep lineup and it being the Olympia’s 60th anniversary, the ingredients are there for a historic bodybuilding event.
RELATED: Jay Cutler Doubtful of Nick Walker Making Top 3 at 2024 Mr. Olympia: ‘He Has to Step Up’
Watch the full video from the Rx Muscle – Truth in Bodybuilding YouTube channel:
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