Cutler is a big fan of Walker’s prospects this 12 months.
Nick Walker has spent the higher a part of the roughly last two years turning heads. The young bodybuilder won the 2021 Arnold Classic, took home a top-five debut result on the 2021 Mr. Olympia, and followed that performance with a podium finish behind Derek Lunsford (second) and Hadi Choopan (first) on the 2022 Olympia. As the following chapter of his already productive profession unfolds, Walker will first tackle the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) in March. It’s there where a longtime legend thinks the athlete must be the favourite.
On Jan. 26, 2023, during a podcast episode of The Cutler Solid, four-time Mr. Olympia champion (2006-2007, 2009-2010) Jay Cutler and esteemed trainer Miloš Šarčev discussed storylines and potential comparisons for the upcoming AC. Considered one of the Cutler’s fundamental points was that he believes Walker has a pole position for the Columbus, OH, contest on Mar. 2-5, 2023. It’s quite the endorsement for Walker from a respected competitor who, himself, is one in every of only 4 athletes to win the AC 3 times — Cutler captured the title in 2002-2004.
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While the ultimate complete roster for the 2023 AC hasn’t been confirmed on the time of this writing, Cutler expressed to Šarčev that he thinks the opposite athletes aren’t on par with Walker’s overall construct. Notably, a few of the early confirmed competitors include former two-time winner William Bonac (2018, 2020), Samson Dauda, Kamal Elgargni, and Akim Williams.
“Are the massive dudes going to have enough combination to push Nick [Walker] to the side?” Cutler said rhetorically. “I even have a tough time believing that.”
The one peer Cutler seems to consider can truly push Walker is former two-time Mr. Olympia (2020-2021), Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay. The Egyptian athlete had previously revealed he would compete on the 2023 AC in his second profession appearance at the competition, having placed third in 2020. To Cutler, even with a disappointing fifth-place finish on the 2022 Mr. Olympia, if Elssbiay shows up in top form, it could morph into quite a battle.
“Ramy [Elssbiay] wasn’t full [at the 2022 Mr. Olympia],” Cutler said. “Ramy needed to be Ramy. His skin would have been tighter. His appearance, there would have been more roundness to every little thing. Listen, Ramy, we talked about it. If Ramy is 100%, he beats everybody. He’s still Big Ramy.”
That said, Cutler seems to sense something special and innate in Walker’s competitive mindset. He alluded to the purpose that Walker won’t let himself fall short so easily now that he’s established superstar in bodybuilding. Consequently, for Cutler, a second AC title is clearly within the works for Walker.
“ … I just know Nick’s [Walker] mindset,” Cutler explained. “I do know his vision. I do know every night before he goes to bed, he’s visualizing winning this competition. And sometimes, you’ll be able to’t overtake someone’s willpower. He believes greater than anyone else on this planet. We are able to talk concerning the confidence of those people leading into these shows … I just don’t think there’s anyone more dedicated than Nick Walker. I feel in the long run, he’ll be a two-time champ.”
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From the time of Cutler’s prediction, the 2023 AC remains to be a ways off. Lots can change in the approaching weeks before Walker and the opposite respective athletes take the stage in Columbus. It’s possible that one other top-tier challenger who can duke it out with Walker on stage might emerge. Until then, Walker seems to have Cutler’s wholehearted seal of approval, and that isn’t any small thing.
Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram