{"id":15598,"date":"2026-03-11T11:38:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-11T11:38:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=15598"},"modified":"2026-03-11T11:38:45","modified_gmt":"2026-03-11T11:38:45","slug":"andrew-jacked-makes-history-nigerian-bodybuilder-wins-2026-arnold-classic-and-record-750000-prize","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=15598","title":{"rendered":"Andrew Jacked Makes History: Nigerian Bodybuilder Wins 2026 Arnold Classic and Record $750,000 Prize"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A major milestone for African bodybuilding was achieved over the weekend as Nigerian-born bodybuilding star Andrew Jacked secured a historic victory at the prestigious Arnold Classic Men\u2019s Open competition during the 38th annual Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus.<\/h3>\n

The victory instantly sent waves of excitement through the bodybuilding world and across Africa, as Jacked delivered one of the most dominant performances of the night against a lineup of elite international competitors.<\/h3>\n

Among those he defeated were former Mr. Olympia champion Hadi Choopan, who finished in third place, and 2021 Arnold Classic champion Nick Walker, who placed second after a highly competitive final posedown.<\/h3>\n

From the moment he stepped on stage, Andrew Jacked impressed judges with his trademark combination of mass, symmetry, and classic aesthetics<\/strong>. His wide back, balanced proportions, and razor-sharp conditioning stood out throughout both the prejudging rounds and the finals.<\/h3>\n

The Nigerian star also walked away with the Ed Corney Best Poser Award<\/strong>, recognizing his exceptional stage presentation. The bonus added $10,000 to his winnings, bringing his total prize money to $760,000<\/strong>, including the $750,000 Arnold Classic champion\u2019s purse<\/strong>, now widely considered the largest payout in professional bodybuilding history<\/strong>.<\/h3>\n

The win also carries deep historical significance. Andrew Jacked becomes only the second Nigerian and the third African athlete to win the Arnold Classic<\/strong>, a competition traditionally dominated by athletes from the United States and Europe.<\/h3>\n

Born Chinedu Andrew Obiekea<\/strong>, the 38-year-old athlete currently lives in the United Arab Emirates. Before becoming one of bodybuilding\u2019s fastest-rising stars, he had a background in kickboxing and engineering. His transition into professional bodybuilding eventually led him to the global stage of the IFBB Pro League.<\/h3>\n

Over the past few years, Jacked has consistently impressed fans with strong showings at major competitions, including appearances at the world-famous Mr. Olympia contest.<\/h3>\n

Industry analysts believe this Arnold Classic victory could mark the beginning of an even bigger chapter in his career.<\/h3>\n

Many experts have described his physique as the perfect blend of modern muscle mass and classic bodybuilding aesthetics<\/strong>, a combination that could make him a serious contender for the Mr. Olympia crown later this year.<\/h3>\n

Across Nigeria and throughout Africa, fans flooded social media with congratulatory messages celebrating the historic achievement. For many supporters, Andrew Jacked\u2019s triumph represents not only personal success but also a powerful symbol of Africa\u2019s growing presence in global bodybuilding.<\/h3>\n

With the Arnold Classic title now secured, the bodybuilding community is already asking the next big question: Could Andrew Jacked be on his way to becoming the next Mr. Olympia champion?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Andrew Jacked<\/a>Arnold Classic<\/a>Arnold Sports Festival<\/a>Bodybuilding<\/a>IFBB Pro League<\/a>Mr Olympia<\/a>Nigerian Athletes<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n