Andrew Jacked wins Arnold
Nigerian bodybuilder Chinedu Andrew Obiekea — aka Andrew Jacked — won the 2026 Arnold Classic Men’s Open in Columbus and took home a record $750,000 prize at the 38th Arnold Sports Festival — a huge haul for pro bodybuilding .
Finals took place March 7, 2026 at the Battelle Grand inside the Greater Columbus Convention Center. colosseumstrength.com Nick Walker finished second and picked up the Franco Columbu Most Muscular award ($10,000), with Hadi Choopan placing third and Martin Fitzwater fourth. fitnessvolt.com A video of Martin Fitzwater celebrating Walker’s runner‑up announcement sparked backlash, Fitzwater issued a public apology days later, and at least one sponsor reportedly cut ties in the aftermath. generationiron.com Event founder Arnold Schwarzenegger publicly criticized “shaky posing” and praised stage presence as decisive, and former Mr. Olympia Jay Cutler weighed in over the close call while calling Jacked a new frontrunner in the division. fitnessvolt.com
