Phil Heath Says Nick Walker ‘Has What It Takes’ to Win 2026 Mr. Olympia, But Peaking at the Right Time is Key
The 2026 Mr. Olympia is quickly approaching, and seven-time champion Phil Heath believes Nick Walker has a legitimate chance to leave Las Vegas with the Sandow Trophy.
During a recent interview with Beyond The Stage TV, Heath was asked whether Walker could actually defeat the loaded group of contenders expected to battle for the Men’s Open title. Heath pointed to Walker’s previous showdown with reigning champion Derek Lunsford as evidence that “The Mutant” belongs in the championship conversation.
“Look, he took Derek to the brink of a sudden, so-called sudden death pose, pose down in Pittsburgh last year. I think Nick has what it takes.”
Walker and Lunsford produced one of the closest contests in recent bodybuilding history at the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro. The two finished tied on the scorecards before an additional tiebreaking comparison ultimately went in Lunsford’s favor.
Phil Heath Says Nick Walker Can Win 2026 Olympia, But Competition Is ‘On Fire’
While Heath believes Walker has the tools to become Mr. Olympia, he certainly isn’t overlooking the rest of the field.
“Derek is on fire. Andrew is on fire. Samson is on fire. So let’s just hope and pray that these guys stay healthy.”
Lunsford enters as the reigning Mr. Olympia and is once again expected to be among the favorites. Samson Dauda, another former Olympia champion, is also officially qualified alongside Walker, while the Open field includes Martin Fitzwater, Brandon Curry, Behrooz Tabani, and others.
Phil Heath Says the Olympia Could Come Down to Who Peaks at the Right Time
For Heath, however, having the best physique during prep won’t necessarily determine who walks away as champion. The seven-time Olympia winner emphasized the importance of timing the peak correctly across both nights of competition.
“You guys, I’ve told all of you, you need to peak on Friday, and you need to hold it and get better for Saturday night.”
That could be particularly important for Walker. At the 2025 Pittsburgh Pro, head judge Steve Weinberger explained that Walker lost some of his sharpness as the competition progressed while Lunsford tightened up, helping swing the razor-close decision in Lunsford’s direction.
Walker has already made his own confidence clear heading toward the Olympia. Still, Heath’s comments carry considerable weight given his seven Sandow victories and experience navigating two-night Olympia battles.
With Walker, Lunsford, Dauda and the rest of the division preparing for Las Vegas, Heath believes the eventual champion may simply be the man who brings his absolute best package at exactly the right moment.
The 2026 Olympia Weekend is scheduled for Sept. 24-27 in Las Vegas, with the Friday and Saturday evening finals taking place at the Orleans Arena.
Image embed via Instagram @nickwalker39
