Mutant is taking the high road after less than a title.
Nick Walker enters the 2023 Arnold Classic (AC) as the predicted favorite. After finishing third in the 2022 Mr. Olympia, some say the four-time Mr. Walker had the physique and the mentality, but it wasn’t enough. Instead, Samson Dauda was just ahead of the star to win the 2023 AC title. Walker is seemingly already looking ahead to the March 5-6, 2023 reflection sequence, as posts on his Instagram indicate.
Despite an apparently improved training regimen, Walker was unable to carry over his preparation to victory at AC. However, instead of dwelling on what went wrong, the athlete seems to focus first and foremost on the positives. After all, the loss doesn’t have to sting for long.
For elite athletes like Walker, this can be a valuable learning experience.
“We’ve come a long way [than] O [the 2022 Mr. Olympia], improved in all the areas we wanted to improve,” Walker wrote. “I’m really happy with the package we came up with, a bit underwhelming, but you know how I do, when I lose, I only come back better.”
The next few posts will see Walker drop random references to what’s next and his current state of mind. He has always prioritized his conditioning and maintained that he is a “fighter”.
Eventually, Walker came to a point where he was ready to give credit. First, in Walker’s opinion, to the Arnold Sports Festival (ASF) for running the competition without a hitch. Second, in a display of sportsmanship, to Dauda: for cracking bodybuilding’s second biggest competition.
“I want to give them a big shout out [Arnold Sports Festival] Putting on an amazing show! ” Walker wrote. “You killed it! Fantastic production and everything ran smoothly…big shout out [Samson Dauda] For coming in guns blazing and winning the title! It was a close battle but a well deserved win! Samson is a wonderful person and I am incredibly happy for him!
Fittingly, Walker ended his line of reflections in the expected place, aiming only for the big fish going forward in his professional career. Next in their crosshairs is 2023 Mr. Olympia. After his recent podium results, he will once again be a top contender for the biggest title in the sport.
“Time to get back to work! Olympia is just around the corner!”
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Featured Image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram