{"id":15039,"date":"2026-02-26T02:03:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T02:03:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=15039"},"modified":"2026-02-26T02:03:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T02:03:00","slug":"urs-kalecinski-reveals-top-3-mens-open-classic-physique-picks-for-the-2026-arnold-classic-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=15039","title":{"rendered":"Urs Kalecinski Reveals Top 3 Men’s Open & Classic Physique Picks for the 2026 Arnold Classic \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The 2026 Arnold Classic is almost here, and bodybuilders are discussing who could win. On Feb. 25, Urs Kalecinski revealed his top Men\u2019s Open and Classic Physique picks just one week before they step onstage.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The 2026 Arnold Classic<\/a> is headlined by the Men\u2019s Open class. The stakes are enormous this year, as the newly crowned champ will secure a historic $750,000 prize purse<\/a>. Hadi Choopan<\/a> is the clear favorite, thanks to three consecutive runner-up performances at the Mr. Olympia. He also won the Arnold Classic in 2024<\/a> and chose not to compete in 2025, so he never truly lost his title.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For Choopan to claim another crown, he\u2019ll have to get through Chinedu Andrew \u2018Jacked\u2019 Obiekea<\/a>, who continues to gain momentum. He achieved a career-high finish of third-place at the 2025 Olympia, making him a top threat heading into the event. Jacked has already secured his Olympia qualification for 2026 following his dominant victory at the Romania Muscle Fest Pro<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Beyond Jacked, other contenders have flown under the radar, including Martin Fitzwater<\/a>. He took fifth place at the Mr. Olympia and beat Samson Dauda<\/a> at the 2025 Prague Pro<\/a>. His lower body density and conditioning could give him the upper hand. Moreover, he doesn\u2019t have to worry about Olympia passage either, which means he\u2019s had time to solely focus on improving his physique.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Nick Walker<\/a> has a chip on his shoulder en route to the Arnold Classic. Despite massive hype before the Olympia, he missed the mark and fell to sixth place. In the show\u2019s aftermath, \u201cThe Mutant\u201d fired his coach<\/a>, Kyle Wilkes. Walker has shared fewer physique updates, leaving fans unsure of how he might look when the curtains rise.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Urs Kalecinski\u2019s Top Picks for the 2026 Arnold Classic in Classic Physique & Men\u2019s Open\u00a0<\/h2>\n

Find his picks from his Instagram below:\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Men\u2019s Open\u00a0<\/h3>\n