by Christian Duque
At the beginning, Martin Fitzwater has develop into probably the most talked about bodybuilder on the professional circuit thus far. There’s a really actual motive for this as his star has continued to climb since profitable in Detroit, getting robbed in New York in 2024, profitable twice in Prague and putting High 5 on the 2025 Olympia.
Fitzwater, or The Martian as he’s referred to as by a rising military of worldwide followers, retains his head low and does the enterprise of bodybuilding. He’s a competitor with an enormous coronary heart who doesn’t interact within the type of petty squabbles that lavatory down so many opponents. He’s brazenly pleased, even supportive, of his fellow opponents. And this mindset isn’t restricted to when he’s profitable or receiving high honors. Martin is legitimately pleased, even in defeat, and that’s fairly uncommon. Lots of people simply don’t know what to make of him. Media commentators choose on him typically. There are those that are daring – being merciless to his face, whereas others make use of passive-aggressive techniques. I can see all of them, as Martin has develop into my favourite bodybuilder because the late nice Shawn “Flexatron” Rhoden. Flexatron was additionally focused by the identical sort of people that as we speak go after Martin. So why all of the efforts at undermining Fitzwater? It’s as a result of he’s the following nice champion. In any other case, he’d be out of sight and out of thoughts. That’s bodybuilding for ya.
As I stated, Martin Fitzwater is probably the most talked about bodybuilder on the planet. The current non-incident with Giles “Tiger” Thomas on the 2025 EVLS Prague Professional is one other instance of the distances Fitzwater’s haters will go. I simply hope that if he defends his Prague Professional title and makes it a 3-peat in 2026, that the promoter of that contest will present him the respect he deserves and be certain that he competes in a pleasant surroundings. In any other case, I believe he may skip their present altogether. I imply, wouldn’t you? After the shitshow following an inadvertent telephone faucet, would you need to return? Particularly, since for subsequent 12 months’s Prague Professional, Martin could also be Mr. Olympia. Hopefully the promoter in Prague will get his head out of his ass and does proper by The Martian.
Martin Fitzwater IS the following Mr. Olympia. It ought to occur in 2026, however it might take one other 1-2 years. Both method is okay. Bodybuilding shouldn’t be a race, moderately, it’s a marathon. If Martin have been to maneuver up from fifth to 4th on the 2026 Olympia, that might be a step in the best course. If he went from fifth to third, that might be large!! So long as he stays within the High 6 – at that stage and continues profitable massive exhibits – his future is ready. That stated, Martin’s rise received’t take that lengthy. A minimum of not primarily based on his trajectory and never primarily based on his potential. Very similar to Brandon Curry did in 2018, I believe that Fitzwater will use his High 5 putting in 2025 as a springboard to profitable the title in 2026.
However right here we’re, 4 paragraphs in, and we nonetheless haven’t talked in regards to the 2026 Arnold Traditional in Columbus, OH. Martin can be doing the competition, in addition to a second Arnold Traditional. For all intents and functions, nonetheless, the unique is the massive ticket. The Arnold Traditional is the 2nd most prestigious bodybuilding contest on the calendar. When it comes to prize cash, it exceeds the Olympia, however its worth by way of bragging rights is essential. In recent times, Arnold winners have included Samson, Hadi, Brandon and Derek – all Mr. Olympia champions. Ramy tried his hand at profitable the Arnold after dropping his second Olympia protection, and positioned fifth. The Arnold is as aggressive because it will get and can be the right springboard for Martin. If he positioned High 5 within the O after which High 3 in Columbus, he can be in a strategic place to win the 2026 Olympia. Hell, greater than strategic, he can be arguably the #1 or #2 contender by way of public opinion. On a a lot lesser observe by way of standing for the 2026 Olympia, if he was capable of defeat his nemesis Nick “The Mutant” Walker that might settle a working joke. It will lastly put to relaxation a rivalry that lives within the head of many celebrated writers and a minimum of one complement firm proprietor and media celeb, Fouad Abiad of Hostile Supps.
HS was Martin’s sponsor till lately however is not any extra. I don’t consider that Abiad ever believed in Martin and when discussing the 2026 Arnold Traditional, he felt that Nick Walker would beat him in Columbus. That is even if Martin bested him on the 2024 NY Professional and truly beat him (on paper this time) on the 2025 Olympia. That stated, Walker insists he “missed his peak” on the ‘25 Olympia. I’m wondering what precipitated him to skip the ‘23 and ‘24 Olympias. If Nick is available in at 100% in Columbus and Fitzwater beats him there – as I’ve little doubt he’ll – then maybe that can silence the doubters. Then once more, in relation to Martin, the doubters and the haters won’t ever cease. Regardless of the place he wins and regardless of how a lot he improves, the naysayers’ cackles won’t ever subside. I’m not suggesting Fouad is a hater, however he undoubtedly doesn’t see Martin’s actual potential. It’s unhappy, however it’s no matter at this level. He can run the unofficial Nick Walker Fan Membership whereas Martin inches nearer and nearer to being the #1 bodybuilder on this planet. One factor’s for sure, you’ll be able to’t please all people, so why trouble?
If and when Martin hits his stride, he’ll defeat everybody. And that features Derek (who’s not defending his Arnold title), Andrew Jacked, Nick Walker or anybody else for that matter. The battle isn’t between Martin and others, moderately, it’s all about Martin being the perfect Martin potential. His physique is full, it’s aesthetic, and he poses arduous. Nice posing doesn’t simply occur, it comes with hours and hours and extra hours of observe. The Martian additionally understands movement. Move is like music – it’s artwork in movement. He understands how one can pose, how one can hit the mandatories within the mild most favorable to his physique. He understands the significance of movement in transitions between poses, as properly. He understands the worth of staying on level, even when the judges permit opponents to “calm down.” There isn’t any stress-free on stage, a lot much less through the prejudging. Even in case you’re not in that individual call-out and also you’re standing within the wings, you’ll by no means catch The Martian stress-free. The stage isn’t for that. The stage is all in regards to the enterprise of bodybuilding.
Martin is sort of a well-oiled machine at this level. Fitzwater could also be The Martian, however I additionally see him as an M1 Abrams. That’s our nation’s principal battle tank. It’ll tackle any enemy, in any type of terrain, and it’ll be the final one standing. It’s not a query of if, solely when. Martin can be Mr. Olympia, and an enormous win in Columbus will certainly assist pave the best way. However whether or not he wins in Columbus or locations High 3, it’s going to solely serve to additional validate what I’m saying. Martin’s star continues to soar and the haters must eat crow. They will sit and spin for all I care.
As all the time, I like to depart the ultimate phrase to you, the loyal readers of IronMag. Do you suppose Martin will win the 2026 Arnold Traditional? Do you suppose 2026 would be the 12 months he wins the 2026 Olympia? I look ahead to studying your suggestions within the feedback. Please make sure you copy and paste a hyperlink to this text on all of your social media feeds. It would most undoubtedly generate vigorous dialog.
