{"id":21289,"date":"2026-06-01T00:03:40","date_gmt":"2026-06-01T00:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=21289"},"modified":"2026-06-01T00:03:40","modified_gmt":"2026-06-01T00:03:40","slug":"derek-lunsford-urges-nick-walker-to-compete-at-2026-tampa-pro-or-texas-pro-to-qualify-for-mr-olympia-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=21289","title":{"rendered":"Derek Lunsford Urges Nick Walker to Compete at 2026 Tampa Pro or Texas Pro to Qualify for Mr. Olympia \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Will we see bodybuilder Nick Walker compete at the 2026 Mr. Olympia? In a YouTube video from May 26, 2026, Derek Lunsford answered that question and urged him to jump into the Tampa or Texas Pro.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

After dropping out of the 2023 and 2024 Mr. Olympias, public doubt around Walker\u2019s potential crept in. However, he redeemed himself in 2025 with a runner-up finish against Lunsford at the Pittsburgh Pro<\/a>. While he was considered a favorite to win the Olympia<\/a> last year, Walker mistimed his peak and fell to sixth place, a career-low finish.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He parted ways with his coach, Kyle Wilkes<\/a>, and prepared for the 2026 Arnold Classic Ohio<\/a> alone. The decision paid off; Walker pushed Chinedu Andrew \u2018Jacked\u2019 Obiekea<\/a> on the scorecards, but narrowly took second place.<\/p>\n

According to \u2018The Mutant,\u2019 it was still a milestone moment because it was the first time he beat Hadi Choopan<\/a>. The 2026 Mr. Olympia wouldn\u2019t be the same without Walker, but the Men\u2019s Open star has yet to stamp his ticket.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Derek Lunsford Says Walker Needs to Compete at Texas or Tampa Pro to Secure Mr. Olympia Qualification\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the video, Lunsford shared that Nick Walker might have brought his best look ever to last year\u2019s Pittsburgh Pro. For that reason, he thinks it would be a mistake for him to miss out on another Mr. Olympia contest.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWell, a lot of people said the best Nick Walker was last year\u2019s Pittsburgh Pro. I can\u2019t disagree with that. He was big, he was shredded, he was on.<\/p>\n

So, if last year, he presented his best physique, why wouldn\u2019t we want to see him on the Olympia stage? I mean, come on\u2026 I think he\u2019s done the Olympia once in the past three or four years.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The reigning two-time Mr. Olympia champ urged Walker to enter the 2026 Tampa or Texas Pro.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cWe need to get him back up on the Olympia stage this year. One way or another, this dude needs to show up at Tampa or Texas, or something can get him back on the Olympia stage,\u201d said<\/a> Derek Lunsford.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Derek Lunsford hasn\u2019t been the only bodybuilder to assess Walker\u2019s next move. Fouad Abiad, who used to sponsor Nick Walker, recently hinted that he plans to enter the 2026 Texas Pro<\/a> to ensure his presence on the Olympia stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Athletes in the IFBB Pro League have until August 30, 2026, to secure their qualifications. The Tampa Pro is scheduled for July 30 to August 1, and the Texas Pro will take place August 14-15.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:\u00a0<\/strong>Steve Weinberger Talks Derek Lunsford & Andrew Jacked Beef, Says \u20188 Guys\u2019 Can Win 2026 Mr. Olympia<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the Beyond the Stage TV YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n