Fan anticipation surrounding Steve Weinberger’s 2024 New York Pro continues to build before the May 18 showdown. In a recent Voice of Bodybuilding podcast, Bob Cicherillo and Shawn Ray discussed the strengths and weaknesses of favorites Nick Walker and Quinton Eriya.
Sporting some of the biggest arms in the IFBB Pro League, Nick Walker remains one of the most talked-about athletes on the planet. Having nailed down a New York Pro title in 2021, ‘The Mutant’ intends to go 2-0 when he takes on the Open lineup in just a few weeks.
Placing as high as third on the Mr. Olympia stage, Walker’s freak factor and muscle volume are potent weapons. In his last showing, he narrowly took second place behind Samson Dauda at the 2023 Arnold Classic. Although he had planned to dominate the 2023 Olympia, he was forced to pull out of the contest due to a career-altering hamstring and calf tear.
Quinton Eriya was also on fire in 2022, registering impressive performances at the Tampa Pro (3rd) and Texas Pro (5th). He took the entire 2023 season off to build his physique, adding a significant amount of muscle tissue to his tall frame. His eyes are now locked on the nearing 2024 New York Pro, where he will face his teammate Walker on stage.
Shawn Ray and Bob Cicherillo Say Quinton Eriya Has ‘Legitimate Shot’ of Beating Nick Walker at 2024 New York Pro
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According to Bob Cicherillo, Quinton Eriya reminds him of an early Paul Dillett.
“Quinton Eriya, bro, this guy is not only big, but he is very put together, he reminds me of an early Paul Dillett with his genetics. I think he’s made enough strides where he has a legitimate shot to take out Nick Walker, contends Bob Cicherillo.
Shawn Ray suggests that Quinton Eriya could end up being a rare talent thanks to his height, shape, and structure.
“There’s always one right, every once in a while, somebody gets thrown into the mix and you’re like holy crap. Like where did Dorian come from back in 1990 or 91 when he arrived at the Olympia? Every once in a while, some stray cat throws a monkey wrench in there.”
Considering that Nick Walker has to bounce back from an injury, Ray suspects that the Open star has had to train with a fair degree of caution.
“Nick isn’t taking his foot off the gas. Listen, he heard all the criticism. He saw how fragile being on top when he got injured, had to sit there in a wheelchair watch the Olympia, go to the Arnold Classic a show that he’s won before, and watch that go down. You miss what you once did on a regular basis. He’s still probably training with good caution for very good reason. You don’t want to injure that leg.”
Ray made it clear that if Walker puts his season in ‘cruise control,’ a contender like Eriya could spoil his potential Mr. Olympia plans.
“If he takes his foot off the gas and puts that thing on cruise control, someone like Quinton could come in and it’d be an eye opener, it’d be a slap in the face because you can’t cruise into these shows because you have to train for the unknown.”
With shape and ‘x-factor’ on his side, if Eriya nails his conditioning, Shawn Ray believes Walker could find himself in trouble on stage.
“This guy is the X-factor. If he comes in conditioned, forget about shape he has the shape, he actually has better shape, if he comes in condition, it’s going to spell trouble for Nick, regardless of what he’s done in the past,” adds Ray. “Nick has to be 100 percent, they judge the show on the day not someone’s potential.”
Although legs were never a weak point of Walker’s, Ray still has questions about his training intensity in light of the previous injuries he sustained.
“We’re dealing with an injured Nick who is going to have to mask, work around, and deal with an injury so severe that it cost them a run at the Olympia one year. So, is Nick training harder than he was before the injury? Time will tell. Legs were not his weak point.
But if this kid knows that he can really be topic of conversation if he can take this guy out on a show that’s this important as they increased the prize money. The New York Pro has always been a very important show heading into the Olympia.”
Ray also called for finishers beyond the podium to receive more prize money at Pro shows.
“If fifth place is paying $1,000, I personally could find a guest posing job for $3,000 and I don’t have to get in shape or go through the abuse. I think our federation needs to stop looking at the winner-take-all prize money and start taking care of the lesser placing guys so they have an opportunity to survive in this sport of Pro bodybuilding.”
Even though Nick Walker has yet to qualify for the biggest show of the year, public support behind him continues to build. As of late, bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler backed Walker to ‘possibly’ win the 2024 Mr. Olympia later this year.
Other bodybuilding veterans like coach Chris Aceto have analyzed the upcoming battle between Walker and Eriya. Aceto maintains that Walker’s size will help him neutralize many of Quinton Eriya’s strongest poses on stage.
The 2024 New York Pro promises to be one of the most exciting contests of the year. Whoever emerges victorious will have considerable momentum heading into this year’s Olympia show, taking place October 10-13 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Walker will also display his physique during a special guest posing gathering at the nearing Pittsburgh Pro on May 10.
Watch the full video from the Voice of Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:
RELATED: Quinton Eriya Discusses If He Can Beat Nick Walker at the 2024 New York Pro
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