There’s no shortage of compelling storylines on deck at the 2022 Mr. Olympia. For example, Chris Bumstead is vying for a fourth consecutive Classic Physique Olympia title while being coached by a legendary steward. On the flip side, the 212 champion from 2021, Derek Lunsford, will be a part of the flagship Men’s Open division after a noteworthy transition. Though, all these tidbits likely pale in comparison to what could be the top dogfight on Dec. 16-18, 2022, in Las Vegas, NV.
Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay is seeking to join an exclusive, all-time company with a third straight Mr. Olympia championship. Nick Walker, the athlete some consider to be the No. 1 contender to Elssbiay’s throne, is seemingly coming on with a full head of steam. In a Nov. 14, 2022, video on James “Flex” Lewis’ YouTube channel, legendary coach and 1989 Mr. Universe Miloš Šarčev maintained he thinks Elssbiay and Walker will present the main attraction at the 2022 Olympia.
At the moment, few people might be as plugged into what could happen at the 2022 Olympia as Šarčev. The coach is currently working with two separate rising athletes who have qualified for the contest — Samson Dauda and Behrooz Tabani Abar Ghani — and could add Joe Mackey to that catalog soon enough.
As he told Lewis, Šarčev has the informed opinion Elssbiay will once again stand on top of the Olympia podium.
“I see how the judges would favor Ramy [Elssbiay] because he’s just too overwhelming,” Šarčev said. “So, I still think Ramy, it’s his show to lose, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
Of course, the competitor Šarčev saw fit to mention as someone who could topple Elssbiay was Walker. The coach reflected on what Walker brought to the table performance-wise in a stellar fifth-place debut at the 2021 Olympia. He considered that the young athlete might return for his second go-round with an impeccable flourish against the sport’s current king. In fact, Šarčev believes a battle between Elssbiay and Walker is what everyone in the bodybuilding sphere is waiting for with bated breath.
“He [Nick Walker] was overwhelming,” Šarčev noted. “That front double biceps. Jesus Christ, those arms are [expletive] phenomenal. How could you not compare them? The world wants to see him [Nick Walker] next to Big Ramy, right? They are going to compare them, and let’s see which direction they go.”
Šarčev probably isn’t wrong. Elssbiay indeed might be the headliner in a stacked respective field of athletes and stories. However, a promising competitor like Walker, who is looking to make a name for himself in one of the best possible ways, sets up a potential bodybuilding battle the world won’t soon forget.
Featured image: nick_walker39 on Instagram
