Bodybuilding veteran Shawn Ray continues to monitor the Men’s Open class in retirement. In a recent Voice of Bodybuilding podcast, Ray assessed Walker’s performance at the 2024 New York Pro, casting doubt on his ability to win the 2024 Mr. Olympia.
Walker guest posed alongside Derek Lunsford and other contenders in Pittsburgh, which ignited discussions about the size of his waist. A week later, he pushed all of his chips in and competed at the 2024 New York Pro in pursuit of his second title. Walker bounced back successfully after suffering a devastating hamstring and calf tear last year.
The shock of the night wasn’t Walker getting his hand raised. It was Martin Fitzwater’s breakout performance. Not only did he give ‘The Mutant’ a run for his money, but he left the bodybuilding community buzzing about the close encounter. Now that Walker has his 2024 Olympia qualification, prominent voices in the sport are discussing his chances at the show’s 60th anniversary.
Shawn Ray Talks Nick Walker’s Chances of Winning 2024 Mr. Olympia, ‘He Wouldn’t Get My Vote’
Ray has doubts about Nick Walker’s chances against Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan if his New York Pro look was his all-time best.
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“Is Martin Fitzwater that good or is Nick getting a little bit too much hype too soon? Because that was such a close show.
I mean, Nick claims to be almost at his all-time best and if that’s his best, what is that going to look like next to Hadi? Is Fitzwater a top-five guy in the Olympia on his first time out, what are we really talking about here?” asks Ray.
Ray says it wasn’t a shut-out victory for Walker at the 2024 New York Pro and believes he needs a ‘dose of reality’ if he hopes to defeat names like Lunsford, Choopan, or Samson Dauda.
“Nick, this was not as obvious, this was not an obvious victory for Nick. It’s debatable. People are still taking about it right now. Nick’s got his fans saying it was a slam dunk. He’s going to need a dose of reality. If it’s that close with Nick, how close will it be standing next to Hadi or Derek or big Samson.”
Although he states Walker ‘deserves his day in the sun,’ Ray doesn’t think his physique should represent the Mr. Olympia.
“Nick deserves his day in the sun. Is that something I want to be the premier physique that represents what all of bodybuilding is about?
He will never get my vote. Twice on Sunday, he wouldn’t get my vote. That doesn’t take away the fact that he’s a blue-collar hardcore bodybuilder. Doesn’t mean he’s not worthy of the New York Pro championships or the Arnold Classic.”
Moreover, Ray doesn’t believe Walker’s physique would fit in with history alongside Lee Haney, Dexter Jackson, and other shapely aesthetic champions.
“I wouldn’t want that to represent the premier physique in the Mr. Olympia and put that name, that physique, online with Lee Haney, Dexter Jackson, all the guys that have been there before.
Then, you plop in Nick because it’s a different conversation when you put Nick in there amongst those types of physiques that are complete from front to back, shapely, balanced, proportioned, and we can’t necessarily say all those things about Nick. Nick’s got a long career.”
“He’s doing the best he can do. As an Olympia representative, he couldn’t get my vote. I couldn’t go there.”
With ambitious plans for the 2024 season, Walker can finally lock it down in preparation for the Olympia. He reacted to his victory in Teaneck, New Jersey recently, underscoring that when he sets out to accomplish something, he honors his word.
Although Shawn Ray doesn’t believe Walker will win the sport’s most prestigious title, he respects his blue-collar work ethic and determination. Do you think Walker can defeat Derek Lunsford and Hadi Choopan at the 2024 Mr. Olympia?
Watch the full video from the Voice of Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:
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