There are just nine days separating competitors from the stacked 2025 Mr. Olympia contest. In a recent video on Sept. 29, Shawn Ray discussed the event and warned that it’s not a guarantee fans get to see Nick Walker back onstage.
It’s been a challenging road back to the top for Nick Walker. In 2023, he was forced to withdraw from the Mr. Olympia after sustaining a hamstring and calf injury. A year later, his Olympia prep was plagued again, but this time it was because his body simply wouldn’t respond in time to present his best.
Walker mapped out his qualification route for the 2025 Mr. Olympia, which started at the Pittsburgh Pro. He nearly secured gold, but lost a sudden-death tie-breaker round to Derek Lunsford. Instead, Walker secured his entry for the biggest show of the year by winning a third New York Pro title. With the event almost here, Ray isn’t sold on Walker actually making it to the stage just yet.
Shawn Ray Questions If Nick Walker Makes It to 2025 Olympia: ‘It’s not a Guarantee’
During the video, Ray expressed doubt about Walker making it to the 2025 Mr. Olympia, especially after missing the last two years.
“Anything is possible when you talk about the Olympia. Some people rise to the occasion; others, they shrink. We saw Nick Walker for two consecutive years not make it to the stage, and we still have a couple of weeks. It’s not a guarantee that Nick even makes it to the stage. I said that a year ago, and that came true.”
If Walker does make it and competes, Ray predicted he’d earn a spot somewhere in the top six.
“I don’t want to jinx the guy, but he’s got a lot to do in the next two weeks, and getting through prejudging is going to be one of the biggest obstacles for Nick Walker. I believe he’ll be top-six, I know you had him around the top-eight, somewhere in there,” Shawn Ray said.
Bodybuilding legend Lee Haney joined the conversation for a moment. He shared that it’s going to be difficult to defeat Samson Dauda, given his mass, presentation, and tapered waist.
“Samson makes mass look great. He flows very well for his height. I mean, who can beat that? He brings that presentation with him and he’s got that nice tapering waist — I mean, he’s my guy.”
The bodybuilding community hasn’t been as dismissive of Walker heading into the Olympia. Coach Neil Hill, who oversees Classic Physique Mike Sommerfeld’s prep, labeled “The Mutant” a dangerous wildcard. He believes Walker can win the event if he’s at 100 percent.
Time will tell if Walker can prove the doubters wrong. Don’t miss Fitness Volt’s full coverage of the 2025 Mr. Olympia, set for Oct. 9–12.
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