The proof is in the pudding!
On Saturday, April 4, Joseph Baena–the 28-year-old son of Arnold Schwarzenegger and Mildred Patricia Baena–achieved a huge win in a second bodybuilding federation. He competed at the INBA’s Iron Gladiator competition in California, which comes after he racked up multiple wins a week prior at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition.
Baena shared multiple photos on Instagram of himself onstage with a sword and shield after earning his pro card, excited to share the news of his win.
“Your new INBA Iron Gladiator Classic Physique Champion,” Baena captioned the pictures taken at the annual competition.
Ahead of this impressive accomplishment, the bodybuilder revealed in an interview shared on Instagram that the INBA Iron Gladiator was only his “second show ever.”
“I’m really excited to be a part of the INBA and to experience this wonderful program,” he said. “My fitness journey, it’s been a long time.”
“I started lifting weights and fell in love with bodybuilding, seeing the improvement, the muscle gain, the strength gain and I fell in love with the sport, even watching,” he further explained in the interview. “This year was the year that I said, ‘Enough being afraid. Enough overthinking. It’s time to commit.’ ”
Baena’s victory comes one week after he won first place in multiple divisions at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition — including the Men’s Open Body Heavy Weight Class, Men’s Classic Physique True Novice and Men’s Class Physique Novice.
“Mission Accomplished! 🥇,” he wrote on Instagram alongside photos of himself flexing onstage.
Under his latest win, a bunch of fellow bodybuilders commented in support of Baena’s accomplishment, praising him for all of the hard work he’s put in.
“Definitely the Champ right here🏆🔥,” Johny Münster wrote. “I love that you just said let’s try this, and you deliver so good bro🫱🏼🫲🏽💥.”
Joel Kellett added, “Awesome to see the improvements made in only a week. Congrats brother 👏.”
