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The 2023 Mr. Olympia lineup has taken a critical hit days earlier than the competitors is about to start. Last yr’s third-place finisher, Nick Walker, has formally bowed out of the present on account of tearing his hamstring in coaching throughout his prep. After contacting officers to allow them to know, he shared the information on his social media.
A photograph of the harm might be seen within the publish, and Walker tells his followers why he’s bowing out of the present.
“It’s with a heavy heart that I won’t be stepping onstage this year due to unforeseen and unfortunate reasons that remind us we’re only human,” he wrote. He shared that he and his workforce did all of the work they may to permit Walker to compete. However, their finest efforts weren’t sufficient, and the choice to drag out was in his final finest curiosity.
Walker is already in Orlando, FL for the competition on Nov. 2-5, however he’ll now be a spectator. He shared on the finish of the publish that whereas he gained’t be on this present, he nonetheless has his sights set on the long run.
“Thank you you to those who believe in me and have supported me since day 1. I’ll be back.”
Walker’s absence does open up an enormous alternative for a brand new contender to emerge within the prime three of this yr’s Mr. Olympia. Earlier this month, Olympia proprietor Jake Wood introduced that solely the highest three of this yr’s present will mechanically qualify for the 60th Mr. Olympia in 2024. The favorites going into this weekend embody defending champion Hadi Choopan, 2022 runner-up Derek Lunsford, 2019 Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry, and 2023 Arnold Classic winner Samson Dauda.
Furthermore, this additionally implies that if Walker heals up and is cleared to compete, then he should enter at the very least one different present within the 2024 season to earn a qualification to subsequent yr’s Olympia.
Fans that aren’t in Orlando can go to www.olympiaproductions.com to buy the 2023 Olympia pay-per-view to allow them to see all of the motion from the Orange County Convention Center dwell because it occurs.
Muscle & Fitness shall be offering protection all through the week main as much as bodybuilding’s largest weekend. For extra details about the 2023 Olympia, go to www.mrolympia.com.