{"id":15292,"date":"2026-02-28T17:22:00","date_gmt":"2026-02-28T17:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=15292"},"modified":"2026-02-28T17:22:00","modified_gmt":"2026-02-28T17:22:00","slug":"ali-bilal-shares-his-top-5-mens-physique-picks-for-the-2026-arnold-classic-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=15292","title":{"rendered":"Ali Bilal Shares His Top 5 Men’s Physique Picks for the 2026 Arnold Classic \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


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The 2026 Arnold Classic is just hours away, and bodybuilders are offering up their predictions. On Feb. 27, 2026, Ali Bilal revealed his top five Men\u2019s Physique picks ahead of the event.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2025, Ali Bilal\u2019s sharp conditioning carried him to gold at the Arnold Classic<\/a>. En route to the throne, he faced off against a heavy-hitting lineup, including former Olympia winner Erin Banks and Diogo Montenegro. However, controversy ensued after Arnold Schwarzenegger<\/a> took issue with the Men\u2019s Physique board shorts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

He labeled them bogus<\/a> and argued that it hides the legs, which make up half the body. In response, Bilal boycotted the Arnold Classic, announcing that he\u2019d never compete at the prestigious contest again<\/a>. While he won\u2019t be in Ohio to defend his title, the show must go on.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Brandon Hendrickson<\/strong><\/a>, a former three-time Men\u2019s Physique Olympia champ, is considered the on-paper favorite. Additionally, Hendrickson secured his lone Arnold Classic title back in 2016, so he knows how to handle pressure when he\u2019s squaring off against the best. It\u2019s not a one-man show; plenty of contenders stand out and are capable of pulling off upsets.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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Most notably, fans expect strong performances from Vitor Chaves<\/strong>, Andre Deiu<\/strong>, and Emmanuel Hunter<\/strong>, all of whom have impressed on the Olympia stage. The winner in Ohio will secure a nice cash prize and will auto-qualify for the Mr. Olympia<\/a>, set to take place in Las Vegas from Sept. 24-27. With pressure mounting for the entire roster, Bilal spoke up on who he sees walking away victorious.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ali Bilal\u2019s Top 5 Picks for Men\u2019s Physique at the 2026 Arnold Classic\u00a0<\/h2>\n

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