Nick Walker is keeping his eye on Derek Lunsford and Shaun Clarida.
Top bodybuilder, Nick Walker recently spoke on two of his chief rivals in the open weight division Derek Lunsford and Shaun Clarida ahead of the 2023 Arnold Classic. While Lunsford may not be competing at the show, Walker spoke on the major threat that he poses, as well as what he believes his rival will do during the off-season. As for Clarida, Walker views him as a major threat at this year’s Arnold Classic.
It’s interesting to note that three of the most talented bodybuilders in the open weight division got their start in the 212 division. Hadi Choopan took top honors at the 2022 Olympia walking away as champion. Derek Lunsford, on the other hand, may not have become Mr. Olympia, but was able to secure second place. While Shaun Clarida chose to compete in the 212 division at the Olympia, he made good with his return, securing his own victory. With these three showcasing, their dominance at the 2022 Olympia, it’s clear that to 12 bodybuilders are not less than their open week counterparts, but right on par. Nick Walker certainly seems to share that sentiment.
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Derek Lunsford Just Getting Started
During a recent episode on his new podcast alongside Guy Cisternino, Nick Walker discussed Derek Lunsford, and what he believes he’ll be doing during the off-season. While Lunsford may not be competing at the 2023 Arnold Classic, Walker is keeping a close eye on his rival. Walker believes that we have yet to see the best out of Lunsford and that his performance at the 2022 Olympia was simply a prelude of things to come. As such, Walker believes that Lunsford will be making the most of his off-season to put on even more mass a head of the 2023 Olympia.
“I’ve heard through the grapevine that he’s [Derek Lunsford] is not doing the Arnold,” said Nick Walker. “This is where I’m going to jump in. Did he add muscle or did he just keep it without losing it. I think he restricted himself those off-seasons, so I think what he gained back is what he normally has, plus maybe a little bit more I’ll say but he didn’t put on an astronomical amount of mass, he just didn’t have to suffer and lose mass to make 212.”
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Nick Walker went on to explain what he thinks Derek Lunsford will be doing with his down time.
“This will be the off-season where we see how much tissue he puts on and we’ll see what he looks like when he stands on the [2023] Olympia stage.”
The Clarida Threat
Derek Lunsford wasn’t the only bodybuilder that Nick Walker has been keeping his eye on. Walker has also been taking a close look at two-time 212 Olympia champion Shaun Clarida. Having knowledge that Clarida will be competing at the 2023 Arnold Classic, Walker believes that the 212 Olympia champion could be his biggest threat at the show. He even believes that Clarida could take second place, after Walker, of course.
“Because of my confidence in myself, I have him number two. He’s a threat. Shaun Clarida is very dangerous. He might be small but he’s like the perfect bodybuilder. If he’s peaked correctly and someone falls short, he’s jumping up. Considering me and him have the same coach, we are both going to be peaked to the fullest.”
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“Yeah, first will be me and second Shaun Clarida. People really underestimate Clarida. A lot of the talks he’s not included for first or third spot… Seeing him up close in person, it’s different.”
What do you think of Nick Walker and his assessment of rivals Derek Lunsford and Shaun Clarida?
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News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.
