When it comes to extreme muscle density and so-called “granite-like” hardness, there’s no one in the world more qualified than Dorian Yates. The six-time Mr. Olympia, known for his brutal workouts and uncompromising preparation, closely followed this year’s competition in Las Vegas. And although he respects all the finalists, his personal pick for the winner was clearly Nick Walker from the very start of the pre-judging.
In the era of massive monsters, it often happens that competitors sacrifice their final form at the expense of weight. This year’s showdown between 140-kilogram Samson Dauda, the aesthetic Derek Lunsford, and Nick Walker was a prime example of this. According to Dorian Yates, however, Walker was the only one who understood that at this level, what matters most is 100 percent readiness without a single drop of water under the skin.
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A Return to Granite-Like Hardness
“Bodybuilding is a sport where you create an illusion, but you simply can’t fool anyone with raw muscle density and true, bone-dry dehydration,” Yatessaid in his assessment of the competition. “Samson was gigantic; his size was breathtaking. Derek had amazing shape. But when Nick took the stage, I saw that old-school style. I saw the taut hardness and the details that were missing in the others. For me, it was a clear victory.”
Yates highlighted Walker’s back poses and the details in his lower body in particular. Hamstring separation and “chiseled” glutes are precisely the areas on which Yates built his dominance over the rest of the field throughout his career. According to him, Nick Walker showcased a package that perfectly combined the “freak factor” with uncompromising detail.
The Triumph of Hard Work
In addition to his physical form, Britain’s “The Shadow” also praised Walker’s indomitable spirit. His comeback from last year’s serious hamstring injury required exactly the kind of “Blood and Guts” determination that Yates embodies so well. According to legend, Walker refused to let the pressure from those around him break him and let his physique speak for itself on stage. The Sandow Trophy is thus in the very best hands this year, in the words of the six-time champion.
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