Andrew Jacked Wins 2026 Arnold Classic Men's Open
This past weekend, thousands of fitness enthusiasts flocked to Columbus, Ohio, for the 38th annual Arnold Sports Festival. One of the largest multi-sport events in the world, the Arnold hosts more than 20,000 athletes across dozens of competitions, including the prestigious Arnold Classic bodybuilding show, Strongman contests, and a massive fitness expo. Founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1989, the event seems to get bigger every single year.
In bodybuilding, the Men's Open division is always one of the weekend’s biggest headliners. This year was certainly no exception to that rule. Nigerian bodybuilder Andrew Jacked came out on top, taking home the title and a $750,000 prize. It wasn't easy, as Jacked remained in stiff competition with former Mr. Olympia champion Hadi Choopan and fan favorite Nick Walker, who won the Arnold title back in 2021.
Jacked’s impressive back width proved to be a decisive advantage, particularly in the rear poses, helping separate him from the rest of the competition. After finishing third at last year’s Arnold, the victory marked a triumphant step forward in his career.
Impressively, Jacked is somewhat newer to bodybuilding. The 41-year-old spent his early years as a kickboxer, engineer, and military officer before eventually transitioning into competitive bodybuilding. His first major breakthrough came in 2021 when he entered the EBBF Ajman Bodybuilding and Physique Contest in the United Arab Emirates. Jacked promptly secured both first place and his IFBB Elite Pro card.
Just a week later, he won another IFBB Elite Pro League show before making the switch to the IFBB Pro League to compete in the 2022 Arnold Classic Amateur. A victory there earned him his IFBB Pro card. The rest, as they say, is history.
Who Won the 2026 Arnold Classic Open?
- Andrew Jacked: Winner
- Nick Walker: 2nd
- Hadi Choopan: 3rd
- Martin Fitzwater: 4th
- Brandon Curry: 5th
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