Coach Stefan Kienzl believes he has a future Mr. Olympia champ on his hands. On April 22, 2026, he predicted that bodybuilder Martin Fitzwater would claim the prestigious title in due time.
Martin Fitzwater is arguably the fastest rising star in the Open class. He finished fourth place at the 2025 Mr. Olympia and followed it up with a win over Samson Dauda at the Prague Pro. In his next outing, “The Martian” secured fourth place at the 2026 Arnold Classic, but fans weren’t talking about his performance when the show was over.
Fitzwater made headlines after celebrating Nick Walker’s defeat to Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea. He faced fallout online as a result of his poor sportsmanship. Multiple sponsors decided to part ways with Fitzwater, though he kept competing. He returned to the Arnold Classic UK and secured another fourth-place finish. Despite the bumpy road, Fitzwater’s coach believes it’s only a matter of time before he clinches the sport’s greatest crown.
Coach Stefan Kienzl Believes Martin Fitzwater Is a Future Mr. Olympia Champion
In a Beyond the Stage TV interview, Kienzl predicted Fitzwater would win a Mr. Olympia title.
“I still tell you. I stay by that word, Martin will win the Olympia,” said Stefan Kienzl. “That’s actually what I know and what I believe. I know his work ethic. I know his potential.”
He added that adversity has been a necessary driver for Fitzwater’s growth as a competitor:
“That’s just insane but, every career, everything will always go in steps. Nothing is in a straight line. Every great champion will also tell you the same story. You need those losses. You need bringing your back to that zero line. You need to, because otherwise, you won’t be able to handle it.”
Concerns about Fitzwater’s mental state were aired following his behavior at the Arnold Classic. According to bodybuilding veteran Shahriar Kamali, well known as King Kamali, Fitzwater self-sabotaged and called him a ‘hot head with roid rage.’
“You have to act a certain way. He’s just shooting himself in the foot. Right now, he’s become evil. He’s got that reputation now, and it’s not good for him or his finances.”
It remains to be seen if Martin Fitzwater will compete before the Mr. Olympia. He’s qualified, so if he chose to, he could sit out until the event returns. The 2026 Mr. Olympia is set for September 24-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
