by Christian Duque
At the start, Martin Fitzwater has turn out to be probably the most talked about bodybuilder on the professional circuit thus far. There’s a really actual cause for this as his star has continued to climb since successful in Detroit, getting robbed in New York in 2024, successful twice in Prague and putting High 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 interact within the sort of petty squabbles that lavatory down so many opponents. He’s brazenly joyful, even supportive, of his fellow opponents. And this mindset isn’t restricted to when he’s successful or receiving high honors. Martin is legitimately joyful, 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 typically. There are those that are daring – being merciless to his face, whereas others make use of passive-aggressive ways. I can see all of them, as Martin has turn out 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 in the present day 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 mentioned, Martin Fitzwater is probably the most talked about bodybuilder on the planet. The latest 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 setting. In any other case, I believe he would possibly 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 subsequent Mr. Olympia. It ought to occur in 2026, however it might take one other 1-2 years. Both means is okay. Bodybuilding isn’t a race, somewhat, it’s a marathon. If Martin have been to maneuver up from fifth to 4th on the 2026 Olympia, that will be a step in the fitting route. If he went from fifth to third, that will be big!! So long as he stays within the High 6 – at that stage and continues successful massive reveals – his future is ready. That mentioned, Martin’s rise gained’t take that lengthy. Not less than 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 successful 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 can 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. 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 successful the Arnold after dropping 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 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 will settle a operating 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 just lately however isn’t any extra. I don’t consider 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 mentioned, 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 question he’ll – then maybe that may silence the doubters. Then once more, with regards to Martin, the doubters and the haters won’t ever cease. Irrespective 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 this planet. One factor’s for sure, you’ll be able to’t please everyone, 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, somewhat, it’s all about Martin being the very best Martin attainable. 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. Circulation is like music – it’s artwork in movement. He understands the way to pose, the way to hit the mandatories within the gentle most favorable to his physique. He understands the significance of circulate in transitions between poses, as effectively. He understands the worth of staying on level, even when the judges enable opponents to “loosen up.” There is no such thing as a stress-free on stage, a lot much less throughout the prejudging. Even when you’re not in that exact 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 sort 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 is going to solely serve to additional validate what I’m saying. Martin’s star continues to soar and the haters must 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 suppose Martin will win the 2026 Arnold Basic? 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 remember to copy and paste a hyperlink to this text on all of your social media feeds. It’ll most positively generate full of life dialog.