by Christian Duque
Initially, Martin Fitzwater has grow to be essentially the most talked about bodybuilder on the professional circuit up to now. 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 inserting Prime 5 on the 2025 Olympia.
Fitzwater, or The Martian as he’s known 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 have interaction within the sort of petty squabbles that lavatory down so many opponents. He’s overtly completely happy, even supportive, of his fellow opponents. And this mindset isn’t restricted to when he’s profitable or receiving high honors. Martin is legitimately completely happy, even in defeat, and that’s fairly uncommon. Lots of people simply don’t know what to make of him. Media commentators decide on him usually. 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 grow to be my favourite bodybuilder for the reason that late nice Shawn “Flexatron” Rhoden. Flexatron was additionally focused by the identical kind of people that at present go after Martin. So why all of the efforts at undermining Fitzwater? It’s as a result of he’s the subsequent 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 essentially 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 make sure 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 wish to return? Particularly, since for subsequent yr’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 subsequent Mr. Olympia. It ought to occur in 2026, however it could take one other 1-2 years. Both manner is ok. Bodybuilding shouldn’t be a race, quite, 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 precise course. If he went from fifth to third, that might be large!! So long as he stays within the Prime 6 – at that stage and continues profitable massive exhibits – his future is about. That stated, Martin’s rise gained’t take that lengthy. A minimum of not primarily based on his trajectory and never primarily based on his potential. Very like Brandon Curry did in 2018, I believe that Fitzwater will use his Prime 5 inserting 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 Basic in Columbus, OH. Martin might be doing the competition, in addition to a second Arnold Basic. For all intents and functions, nevertheless, the unique is the large ticket. The Arnold Basic is the 2nd most prestigious bodybuilding contest on the calendar. By way of prize cash, it exceeds the Olympia, however its worth when it comes to 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 shedding his second Olympia protection, and positioned fifth. The Arnold is as aggressive because it will get and can be the proper springboard for Martin. If he positioned Prime 5 within the O after which Prime 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 when it comes to public opinion. On a a lot lesser word when it comes to standing for the 2026 Olympia, if he was capable of defeat his nemesis Nick “The Mutant” Walker that might settle a operating joke. It might lastly put to relaxation a rivalry that lives within the head of many celebrated writers and at the very least one complement firm proprietor and media celeb, Fouad Abiad of Hostile Supps.
HS was Martin’s sponsor till just lately however isn’t any extra. I don’t imagine that Abiad ever believed in Martin and when discussing the 2026 Arnold Basic, he felt that Nick Walker would beat him in Columbus. That is although Martin bested him on the 2024 NY Professional and really 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 induced 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 may silence the doubters. Then once more, in the case of 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 positively doesn’t see Martin’s actual potential. It’s unhappy, nevertheless 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 the earth. One factor’s for sure, you’ll be able to’t please all people, so why hassle?
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, quite, it’s all about Martin being the very best Martin potential. His physique is full, it’s aesthetic, and he poses onerous. Nice posing doesn’t simply occur, it comes with hours and hours and extra hours of observe. The Martian additionally understands circulate. Move is like music – it’s artwork in movement. He understands tips on how to pose, tips on how to hit the mandatories within the gentle most favorable to his physique. He understands the significance of circulate in transitions between poses, as nicely. He understands the worth of staying on level, even when the judges permit opponents to “chill out.” There is no such thing as a enjoyable on stage, a lot much less in the course of the prejudging. Even if you happen to’re not in that individual call-out and also you’re standing within the wings, you’ll by no means catch The Martian enjoyable. 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 predominant battle tank. It’ll tackle any enemy, in any sort of terrain, and it’ll be the final one standing. It’s not a query of if, solely when. Martin might 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 Prime 3, it’s going to solely serve to additional validate what I’m saying. Martin’s star continues to soar and the haters should eat crow. They’ll sit and spin for all I care.
As at all times, I like to go away the ultimate phrase to you, the loyal readers of IronMag. Do you assume Martin will win the 2026 Arnold Basic? Do you assume 2026 would be the yr he wins the 2026 Olympia? I sit up for studying your suggestions within the feedback. Please be sure you copy and paste a hyperlink to this text on all of your social media feeds. It is going to most positively generate vigorous dialog.
