The Mutant is taking the high road after coming up just in need of the title.
Nick Walker entered the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) as a presumed favorite. After ending in third place on the 2022 Mr. Olympia, some, like four-time Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler (2006-2007, 2009-2010), expected Walker to capture his second AC title in three years. Walker had the physique and the mindset, however it wasn’t enough. As an alternative, Samson Dauda edged just ahead of the star to win the 2023 AC title. Walker is seemingly already looking forward, as a sequence of reflective Mar. 5-6, 2023, posts on his Instagram suggest.
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Despite an apparently improved training regimen, Walker couldn’t channel his preparation right into a victory on the AC. Nevertheless, reasonably than dwell on what went incorrect, the athlete looked as if it would deal with the positives at the beginning. In any case, a loss doesn’t must sting for long.
For an elite athlete like Walker, it may and doubtless needs to be a useful learning experience.
“We got here in higher [than] the O [the 2022 Mr. Olympia], improved in all areas we wanted to enhance upon,” Walker wrote. “I’m really blissful with the package we brought, got here up a little bit short, but you recognize how I do, after I lose, I only come back higher.”
Some ensuing posts would see Walker drop random quotes about what’s next and his current mindset. He maintained that he’ll all the time prioritize his conditioning first and that he’s a “fighter.”
Eventually, Walker got here to some extent where he was ready to offer credit where credit was due. First, to the Arnold Sports Festival (ASF) for, in Walker’s opinion, running the competition and not using a hitch. Second, in a display of sportsmanship, to Dauda: for breaking through in bodybuilding’s second-biggest competition.
“I need to offer an enormous shoutout to the [Arnold Sports Festival] putting on a tremendous show!” Walker wrote. “You guys killed it! Awesome production and the whole lot was run easily … Huge shoutout to [Samson Dauda] for coming in guns blazing and taking the title win! It was a detailed battle however it was a well-deserved win! Samson is an awesome guy and I’m incredibly blissful for him!
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Appropriately, with Walker likely only aiming at big fish moving forward in his skilled profession, he ended his line of reflections in an expected place. Next in his crosshairs is the 2023 Mr. Olympia. After his recent spate of podium results, he’ll once more be a probable top contender for the largest title in the game.
“Time to return to work! Olympia is barely across the corner!”
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Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram