The moment bodybuilding fans have been eagerly waiting for is here. The stars of the royal Men’s Open category clashed on the Battelle Grand stage in Columbus, Ohio, Friday night. At stake is not only the coveted 2026 Arnold Classic title, but also a record-breaking and life-changing $750,000 bonus for the winner.
After a thrilling semi-final comparison, it’s clear that the battle for first place has narrowed down to four names: Hadi Choopan, Andrew Jacked, Nick Walker and Martin Fitzwater.
Who dominated the stage?
Hadi Choopan entered the competition as the clear favourite. His career is littered with huge achievements, including winning the Mr. Olympia 2022 title and winning the Arnold Classic 2024. Throughout the prejudging, his legendary, literally down to the bone fitness helped him stay centre stage.
But Chinedu Andrew “Jacked” Obieke showed tremendous progress. He brought the package of a lifetime to Ohio after taking bronze at the last Olympia and winning the Romania Pro (which already qualified him for the 2026 Olympia). His posing has improved dramatically, allowing him to fully sell his lateral stances. He wowed the crowd and judges with his deep muscle striations and incredible leg definition.
However, the massive Nick Walker and the well-prepared Martin Fitzwater were also hard at work in the battle for center stage, showing off some impressive volume and muscle detail.
Complete Callout Overview (Callouts)
The judges left no one in doubt as to who was playing first fiddle. Here is the breakdown of the individual comparisons:
First Callout
and this foursome immediately took over the stage and set the tone for the evening:
- Hadi Choopan
- Martin Fitzwater
- Andrew Jacked
- Nick Walker
Second Callout
A group of great veterans and talent fought hard for the other spots in the top 10:
- Rafael Brandao
- Brandon Curry
- Mo Foda
- Hassan Mostafa
- Akim Williams
- Anthony Williams
Final Callout
At the very end of the prejudging, the elite four from the first callout returned to the stage for one last showdown before tonight’s final:
- Hadi Choopan
- Andrew Jacked
- Nick Walker
- Martin Fitzwater
The final promises to be a historic battle
Ahead of tonight’s final, any of the elite four have a shot at the title. Hadi’s detail and experience stands up against Andrew Jacked’s huge frame and improved form, while Nick Walker and Martin Fitzwater await any hesitation on their part.
The decision will be made soon! Keep an eye on our website for more updates and full results from the Arnold Classic 2026.
What’s your pick for the winner? Let us know in the comments!
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