As the 2024 Mr. Olympia approaches, bodybuilding veterans are offering their predictions and insights into what may unfold on stage. One of the more notable discussions recently took place between Shahriar “King” Kamali and Chris Cormier, who delved into Nick Walker‘s potential to claim the Sandow trophy at this year’s event.
Kamali, a seasoned bodybuilding analyst and former IFBB Pro, believes that if Walker shows up at his best, he could outperform reigning champion Hadi Choopan in key poses, particularly from the back.
Nick Walker’s Comeback and Injury Recovery
Nick Walker, known as “The Mutant” for his dense and massive physique, is eager to make a strong comeback at the 2024 Mr. Olympia, scheduled for October 10-13 in Las Vegas. His journey to this year’s competition hasn’t been without its challenges.
After being sidelined by a hamstring and calf tear just before the 2023 Olympia, Walker was forced to watch the competition from the sidelines.
Despite many fans and insiders believing that Walker deserved a special invite to that year’s contest, he chose to earn his qualification the hard way by competing at the 2024 New York Pro.
Nick Walker’s performance at the New York Pro was a narrow victory, with up-and-coming talent Martin Fitzwater giving him a serious challenge.
The two battled it out on stage, but Nick Walker ultimately won by a single point, securing his qualification for this year’s Olympia.
Though some were surprised by how close the contest was, Nick Walker’s victory proved that he was still a force to be reckoned with, even after injury.
Related: Nick Walker Confident Weeks from 2024 Mr. Olympia: “I’m Coming to Take Everybody Out”
King Kamali’s Predictions for Nick Walker
In a recent YouTube discussion, Kamali and Cormier discussed the 2024 Mr. Olympia and the conditions Nick Walker would need to meet to win.
Kamali, who was initially skeptical of Walker’s potential, now believes that if Walker shows up at his absolute best, he could pose a serious threat to the reigning champion Hadi Choopan.
Kamali pointed out that Nick Walker’s strongest poses—such as his side chest, side triceps, back double biceps, and most muscular—could allow him to dominate certain comparisons on stage.
Kamali and Cormier agreed that the competition for the top spot would be fierce, with several athletes in the mix for the title.
Kamali highlighted four main contenders: Derek Lunsford, Hadi Choopan, Samson Dauda, and Nick Walker.
He also acknowledged the impact of Andrew Jacked, who could potentially surprise the field, but didn’t place him in his top four due to the level of competition.
Nick Walker vs. Hadi Choopan
One of the most intriguing comparisons Kamali made was between Walker and Hadi Choopan, the current Mr. Olympia. Kamali argued that Walker could “crush” Hadi from the back, a statement that underscores Nick Walker’s strong conditioning and muscle density in key poses.
According to Kamali, Nick Walker’s aggressive stage presence and grainy physique—qualities that have drawn comparisons to retired bodybuilder Branch Warren—could give him an edge in certain poses.
“Him at his all-time best, the nasty grainy, he’s got that Branch Warren conditioning. He’s got that Branch Warren look to his body. If he brings that graininess with the size and again, being pissed off, that can be a good thing because some people actually propel themselves to the next level with anger,” Kamali explained, likening Walker’s intensity to that of the iconic Hulk character.
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Nick Walker’s back double biceps, in particular, is one of his strongest poses, and Kamali believes it could expose weaknesses in Hadi Choopan’s back development.
While Choopan is known for his symmetry and balance, Nick Walker’s sheer mass and density from the rear could sway the judges in his favor.
However, Kamali emphasized that Nick Walker would need to be at his all-time best to achieve this.
Chris Cormier’s Take on Walker’s Strengths and Weaknesses
Chris Cormier, another respected voice in bodybuilding, also shared his thoughts on what Walker needs to do to secure a top-three finish or even take home the Sandow trophy.
Cormier believes that Nick Walker’s strong points—such as his most muscular, side chest, and side triceps—could help him stand out, but he also noted that Walker needs to focus on improving his midsection and overall symmetry.
One of the critiques Walker has faced in the past is his inconsistent posing, particularly in the front lat spread.
Cormier emphasized that Walker’s posing must be on point if he wants to win the 2024 Olympia, noting that his conditioning must also be flawless to keep up with the likes of Derek Lunsford, Samson Dauda, and Hadi Choopan.
“Fullness in the chest. Matching the back from the front, very strong from the back, you have to be just as strong from the front.He’s got a great most muscular, side chest, side tricep—all that stuff is great with him,” Cormier said, echoing Kamali’s assessment of Walker’s strengths.
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The Branch Warren Comparison
One of the most striking comparisons made during the discussion was between Nick Walker and Branch Warren, a two-time Arnold Classic champion known for his grainy, rugged physique and unmatched intensity.
Kamali likened Nick Walker’s potential success at the 2024 Olympia to that of Warren’s, suggesting that if Walker brings the same grainy look Warren was famous for, he could be a serious contender for the title.
This comparison has been echoed by other bodybuilding figures, including Bob Cicherillo and Steve Weinberger, who believe that Walker’s best chance at winning the Olympia lies in coming in as a “Branch Warren 2.0.”
If Walker can bring that level of conditioning while maintaining his massive size, he could very well shock the bodybuilding world.
Conclusion: Will Nick Walker ‘Crush’ Hadi Choopan?
As the 2024 Mr. Olympia approaches, all eyes will be on Nick Walker to see if he can deliver the grainy, aggressive package that King Kamali and IFBB Pro Chris Cormier believe could lead him to victory.
While Hadi Choopan remains a formidable champion, Walker’s potential to dominate from the back and in key poses could be the X-factor that tips the scales in his favor.
Whether he can “crush” Hadi from the back as Kamali predicts, or secure a top-three finish, remains to be seen.
But one thing is certain: Nick Walker is coming to the 2024 Mr. Olympia with a point to prove, and bodybuilding fans around the world are eagerly awaiting the showdown.