{"id":13906,"date":"2026-02-16T06:05:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T06:05:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=13906"},"modified":"2026-02-16T06:05:43","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T06:05:43","slug":"bodybuilding-veterans-chris-cormier-and-john-hansen-share-top-6-mens-open-picks-for-the-2026-arnold-classic-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=13906","title":{"rendered":"Bodybuilding Veterans Chris Cormier and John Hansen Share Top 6 Men’s Open Picks for the 2026 Arnold Classic \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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With less than three weeks to go before the 2026 Arnold Classic, bodybuilding veterans are laying out what\u2019s likely to unfold. On Feb. 12, Chris Cormier and John Hansen revealed their top six Men\u2019s Open picks for the stacked event.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Hadi Choopan<\/a> heads to Ohio as the on-paper favorite, but with a caveat. Political unrest has shaken his home country of Iran, leading to tensions with his fan base. Some, like Shawn Ray, believe it could distract him<\/a> when he finally steps onstage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Choopan won\u2019t be in for an easy night. Chinedu Andrew \u2018Jacked\u2019 Obiekea<\/a> is surging, thanks to his third-place finish at the Mr. Olympia. He was neck and neck with Choopan and champion Derek Lunsford. Jacked also picked up some extra momentum after claiming gold at the Romania Pro<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For these reasons, public confidence in his potential has soared. Bodybuilding legend Jay Cutler was the latest to predict that he has the tools to win<\/a> the Arnold Classic and the Mr. Olympia<\/a> back-to-back. Beyond these top-two threats, the lineup has plenty of firepower.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Martin Fitzwater<\/a> is flying under the radar but could pull off a big upset. He claimed fifth place at the recent Olympia contest. However, his stock rose to an all-time high after taking out Samson Dauda at the Prague Pro<\/a> in the Czech Republic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Nick Walker<\/a> will return for redemption after dropping to sixth place at the Olympia. Given that it was the lowest finish of his career on the grand stage, he\u2019s eager to make a statement in Ohio. Industry experts aren\u2019t counting him out, as \u201cThe Mutant\u201d won the Arnold Classic<\/a> back in 2021.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chris Cormier, John Hansen Share Top 6 Open Picks for 2026 Arnold Classic\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Find their official picks from the video below:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Chris Cormier\u00a0<\/strong><\/h4>\n