{"id":12033,"date":"2023-04-19T01:34:21","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T01:34:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/?p=12033"},"modified":"2023-04-19T02:01:00","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T02:01:00","slug":"nick-walker-believes-derek-lunsford-is-his-main-obstacle-to-a-2023-mr-olympia-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/everything-else\/nick-walker-believes-derek-lunsford-is-his-main-obstacle-to-a-2023-mr-olympia-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Nick Walker Believes Derek Lunsford is His Main Obstacle to a 2023 Mr. Olympia Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>There are still months to go <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/2023-mr-olympia-date-confirmed-orlando-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"238224\">before the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL<\/a>, but some of the top contenders for the Sandow Trophy are already posturing for their title chances. <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/nick-walker-2022-mr-olympia-performance-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"238225\">The 2022 Mr. Olympia third-place finisher Nick Walker<\/a> recently shared an interesting outlook on the next edition of bodybuilding&#8217;s headline contest. <\/p>\n<p>During the Apr. 17, 2023, YouTube episode of <em>The Mutant And The Mouth<\/em>, Walker discussed the 2023 Mr. Olympia outlook with his co-host Guy Cisternino. Not only did the superstar Walker express doubt in defending champion Hadi Choopan&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/hadi-choopan-ripped-physique-update-2023-mr-olympia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"238226\">chances at a repeat<\/a>, <strong>he painted <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/derek-lunsford-ronnie-coleman-back-biceps-workout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"238227\">Derek Lunsford<\/a> as the athlete to beat in the Men&#8217;s Open division<\/strong>. <\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-youtube wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube\"><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/nick-walker-derek-lunsford-2023-mr-olympia\/\"><img src=\"http:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/lyteCache-14.php\" alt=\"YouTube Video\" \/><\/a><figcaption><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-call-out-bm-icon is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><em><strong>More from Breaking Muscle:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/neutral-grip-pulldown\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"238228\">How to Do the Neutral-Grip Lat Pulldown for a Bigger Back<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/partial-reps\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"238229\">Partial Reps \u2014 Short-Range Movements for Maximum Results<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>To explain his rationale and confidence in his chances for the 2023 Olympia, Walker broke down part of the aftermath of the 2022 iteration. Even though he had shortcomings, Walker expressed he believes that Choopan and Lunsford finished at the top because they were ultimately comparable in their respective body compositions. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>&#8220;I think I have a shot of winning any show that I do,&#8221; Walker said. &#8220;For the [2022] Olympia, I mean, the two people that were in front of me were Hadi [Choopan] and Derek [Lunsford], and I think they are very comparable. I think that\u2019s why they were one and two.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>For Choopan, at least, this was where the endorsements from Walker ended. <\/p>\n<p>While he respects his peer&#8217;s accomplishments, experience, and pedigree, Walker shared a rather frank assessment of Choopan adding another Olympia trophy to his mantel. Even though Choopan finished ahead of Walker and the entire field of competitors at the 2022 Olympia, <strong>he doesn&#8217;t believe he&#8217;ll be a repeat factor in November<\/strong>. That&#8217;s because Walker noted that he and Lunsford could be headed for a great battle.<\/p>\n<p>It could be the start of a competitive, back-and-forth rivalry <a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/jay-cutler-modern-day-mens-open-90s-bodybuilding\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"238230\">in the modern Men&#8217;s Open division<\/a>. <\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>&#8220;Listen,&nbsp;I love Hadi [Choopan] but I don\u2019t see him repeating in my opinion,&#8221; Walker said. &#8220;And Derek &#8230; he could continue to beat me now that he has a full off-season actually to put the work in and put size on now, so we\u2019ll see &#8230; People don\u2019t understand, Derek [Lunsford] is not small by any means. Like, he\u2019s a big guy and he\u2019s got great shape.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-instagram wp-block-embed-instagram\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<div class=\"sbi-embed-wrap\">\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media sbi-embed\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CrG-zJhPWJM\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\" style=\" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:500px; min-width:326px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);\">\n<div style=\"padding:16px;\"> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CrG-zJhPWJM\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" background:#FFFFFF; line-height:0; padding:0 0; text-align:center; text-decoration:none; width:100%;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"> <\/p>\n<div style=\" display: flex; 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font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:550; line-height:18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\" width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\" background-color: #F4F4F4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/CrG-zJhPWJM\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" style=\" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Nick &#34;the Mutant&#34; Walker (@nick_walker39)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.instagram.com\/en_US\/embeds.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-style-call-out-bm-icon is-layout-constrained\">\n<p><em><strong>More from Breaking Muscle:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/deadlift-form\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"238231\">7 Tips to Perfect Your Deadlift Form<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<li><strong><em><a href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/how-to-build-muscle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-lasso-id=\"238232\">How to Build Muscle: The Training and Diet Guide for Lifters<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Walker might profess that the 2023 Olympia will come down to him and Lunsford, an opinion seven-time Mr. Olympia champion (2011-2017) Phil Heath <a data-lasso-id=\"238233\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/phil-heath-2023-olympia-contenders\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mostly shares<\/a>. However, other bodybuilding icons like <a data-lasso-id=\"238234\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/jay-cutler-olympia-chest-workout\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jay Cutler<\/a> and Milo\u0161 \u0160ar\u010dev\u00a0disagree. While they don&#8217;t doubt Walker or Lunsford&#8217;s individual merits, <a data-lasso-id=\"238235\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/samson-dauda-jay-cutler-milos-sarcev-2023-mr-olympia-contender\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">the pair have talked up Samson Dauda<\/a> \u2014 the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) winner \u2014 and his shot at a first Mr. Olympia victory. Dauda himself has similarly <a data-lasso-id=\"238236\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/samson-dauda-physique-guest-posing-ben-weider-2023\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">bought into his rising hype<\/a>. <\/p>\n<p>At this point in the competitive calendar, the only assertion that seems clear is that the 2023 Mr. Olympia could shape up to be an all-out battle royale on stage. <\/p>\n<p><em>Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n<p>The post <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\/nick-walker-derek-lunsford-2023-mr-olympia\/\">Nick Walker Believes Derek Lunsford is His Main Obstacle to a 2023 Mr. Olympia Victory<\/a> appeared first on <a rel=\"nofollow\" href=\"https:\/\/breakingmuscle.com\">Breaking Muscle<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There are still months to go before the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL, but some of the top contenders for the Sandow Trophy are already posturing for their title chances. The 2022 Mr. Olympia third-place finisher Nick Walker recently shared an interesting outlook on the next edition of bodybuilding\u2019s headline contest. During the Apr. 17, 2023, YouTube&#8230;<br \/>\nThe post Nick Walker Believes Derek Lunsford is His Main Obstacle to a 2023 Mr. Olympia Victory appeared first on Breaking Muscle.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12035,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":""},"categories":[20,1,21,22,19],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12033"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12033"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12033\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12036,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12033\/revisions\/12036"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12035"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12033"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12033"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bestratefinders.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12033"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}