The 2023 Arnold Classic is almost here, prompting Nick Walker and Patrick Moore to share their progress. In a pair of Instagram posts, Walker and Moore showed off their final touch physique updates before taking to the stage in Ohio.
The annual Arnold Sports Festival serves as the second-most prestigious bodybuilding competition to Mr. Olympia. However, the roster for the Arnold Classic this year took some unexpected turns initially. After the final competitors list was revealed, Open class talents Blessing Awodibu and Charles Griffen pulled out of the show.
As a result of their subsequent withdrawals, the IFBB Pro League announced new rules and disciplinary action should an athlete choose to pull out of an invitational contest after a final roster goes public. Nevertheless, interest surrounding the event grew after the AC organizers pumped the prize money up to $300,000 for the Men’s Open winner.
The prize money increase got the attention of Nick Walker, Patrick Moore, Andrew Jacked, and former two-time Mr. Olympia Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. With competitors dialing in preparations for the show starting on Friday, Walker and Moore offered their latest physique updates before taking to the stage.
Nick Walker Looks Diced Days Before 2023 Arnold Classic
Walker’s update was shared by his coach Matt Jansen on Instagram.
“In order to be someone you’ve never been, you’ve got to go somewhere you’ve never gone. @nick_walker39” Jansen posted.
Walker gained steam as a Men’s Open standout in 2021 after claiming a pair of consecutive victories at the New York Pro and Arnold Classic. At his first Olympia contest, Walker’s freaky muscularity guided him to a fifth-place debut. He dedicated the entire 2022 off-season to adding size while keeping his midsection slim. The efforts paid off as he pushed into third place at the most recent Olympia contest last December.
Heading into prep week, Walker was honest about his struggles in a recent Mutant and the Mouth podcast with Guy Cisternino. Walker mentioned that his 2023 AC preparations have been ‘literally the hardest’ and said there were times when he thought about giving up. He believes going to this dark place is essential to finding success as a bodybuilder.
Patrick Moore Intends to Make Statement with Return at 2023 AC
Patrick Moore shared his latest physique update exactly four days from taking to the stage in Ohio.
“He’s bigger, so his waist definitely grew”😈…. @bryan_troi this is about as flat as we can get…🥞 4 days to stage time!” Patrick Moore posted.
Moore is eager to reinstate himself as a top threat given his year-long hiatus from competition. He took part in three IFBB Pro shows in 2021, starting with a victory at the California Pro. From there, Moore finished 14th at Olympia and 10th at the Legion Sports Fest Pro, which was won by reigning 212 Olympia Shaun Clarida.
Last August, Moore offered fans a status update on an Achilles injury he sustained. Moore shared that his Achilles tendon completely ruptured. At the time, he thought the issue would prevent him from training. After pushing through surgery last May, Moore will seek redemption at the nearing Arnold Classic.
RELATED: 2023 Arnold Classic: Classic Physique Preview – Who Will Be Crowned Champion?
Time is running out for athletes to put the final touches on their 2023 Arnold Classic packages. Many consider Nick Walker to be the frontrunner, but fans expect a fierce battle from Moore, Samson Dauda, Clarida, Jacked, Ramy, William Bonac, Justin Rodriguez, and Kamal Elgargni.
Catch full coverage of the 2023 Arnold Classic, including pre-judging, event recaps, analysis, and final and full results at our Arnold Classic coverage hub: FitnessVolt.com/arnold-classic
Published: 1 March, 2023 | 2:03 PM EDT
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