IFBB Pro League bodybuilder and 2021 Arnold Classic champion Nick Walker spent the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024 recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the 2023 Mr. Olympia contest in Orlando, FL, won by Derek Lunsford. Walker’s fans have yearned for his return to the competition stage, thereby resuming his quest for the Sandow Trophy.
Walker confirmed he’ll return to pro action by competing in the 2024 New York Pro, set for May 18, 2024 in Teaneck, NJ. Walker made the announcement in an Instagram reel posted on Jan. 29, 2024, which can be seen below:
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GAME TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! New YORK PRO!!!!!
Walker’s decision and announcement come after weeks of rumors that he would jump into the 2024 Arnold Classic in Columbus, OH, on March 1-2, 2024. He cleared those rumors — he had no intention of entering the Arnold Classic as it would have been too premature during his recovery.
Walker shared that he did not want a special invite to the 2024 Olympia, preferring to earn his ticket to Las Vegas. The 29-year-old is familiar with the New York Pro because he scored his first IFBB Pro League win in the 2021 edition of the contest. The 2024 New York Pro is in Walker’s original home state of New Jersey.
Walker needs to win a pro contest during the 2024 Olympia qualifying season to earn his spot in the 2024 Olympia in Las Vegas, NV, on Oct. 10-13, 2024.
Walker has two career pro victories: the 2021 New York Pro and the 2021 Arnold Classic. Walker has ranked fifth and third in his two career Olympia appearances. His most recent contest was the 2023 Arnold Classic, where he finished second to Samson Dauda.
The rest of the 2024 New York Pro roster has not yet been announced at the time of this article’s publication. Walker is the only athlete confirmed and we’ll see if he has effectively rebounded from his injury.
Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram
