{"id":22016,"date":"2026-06-09T18:46:51","date_gmt":"2026-06-09T18:46:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=22016"},"modified":"2026-06-09T18:46:51","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T18:46:51","slug":"chris-aceto-raises-doubt-over-nick-walker-hiring-new-coach-says-2026-tampa-pro-not-a-slam-dunk-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=22016","title":{"rendered":"Chris Aceto Raises Doubt Over Nick Walker Hiring New Coach, Says 2026 Tampa Pro ‘Not a Slam Dunk’ \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Discussions around bodybuilder Nick Walker are heating up for the 2026 bodybuilding season. In a YouTube video from June 8, 2026, Chris Aceto questioned Walker\u2019s decision to hire a new coach and stressed that the upcoming Tampa Pro won\u2019t be an easy win.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

After mistiming his peak and finishing sixth at the 2025 Mr. Olympia<\/a>, Walker\u2019s stock was at an all-time low. He parted ways with his ex-coach<\/a>, Kyle Wilkes, and prepared for the Arnold Classic on his own. The decision paid off, and Walker claimed silver against an all-time best Chinedu Andrew \u2018Jacked\u2019 Obiekea<\/a> in Ohio. It was a milestone moment for \u201cThe Mutant,\u201d who celebrated his first victory over Hadi Choopan<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Walker hinted that he might take a break from competing following the performance. The Detroit Pro<\/a> passed by. The New York Pro<\/a> and Pittsburgh Pro<\/a> came and went\u2026 yet Walker had not targeted another event. Just recently, he hired a new coach<\/a> and confirmed his Tampa Pro entry. With the show approaching, Aceto opened up about Walker\u2019s latest career moves.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chris Aceto Questions Nick Walker\u2019s Decision to Hire Coach, Warns 2026 Tampa Pro \u2018Not a Slam Dunk\u2019 \u00a0<\/h2>\n

In the video, Aceto raised questions about Walker\u2019s decision to hire a coach, especially after showcasing a career-best look at the Arnold Classic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cI can\u2019t get over the idea that you\u2019d want to even change anything, other than what you did at the Arnold.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, I mean, the Arnold was Nick\u2019s all-time best, by far. All you need to do is replicate that or you don\u2019t even need to replicate it because you were standing next to the best Andrew Jacked ever. You were standing next to, maybe not his best, well, not his best, but a good Hadi Choopan.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He explained that if Walker can replicate his Arnold look at the Olympia, it would be among his strongest packages:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cEven if you didn\u2019t replicate that, even if you came within the bodybuilding guesswork of three percent of that, and on a different stage, it\u2019s still going to translate into Nick\u2019s all-time best because you\u2019re not standing next to Hadi Choopan and Andrew Jacked.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Though Aceto labeled Walker the heavy favorite, he doesn\u2019t believe the show will be a cakewalk. Based on physique updates, Jo \u201cThe Machine\u201d Palacios could be his toughest test onstage:\u00a0<\/p>\n

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\u201cNick is definitely the heavy favorite, but it\u2019s hard to go into a show and blast everyone off the stage. Maybe I\u2019m speaking too soon. Nick is pretty damn impressive.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not going to be a slam dunk for Nick Walker. If you want to mark my words on anything, mark those,\u201d adds<\/a> Aceto.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The 2026 Mr. Olympia qualification period began on September 15, 2025, and runs until August 30, 2026. Should Walker claim gold at the Tampa Pro from July 30 to August 1, he\u2019d be on the verge of his fourth appearance at the prestigious contest.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/strong>\u00a0Bodybuilder Nick Walker Shares Key Training Cue That Helped Him Grow His Chest<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the Rx Muscle \u2013 Truth in Bodybuilding YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/h4>\n