{"id":15711,"date":"2026-03-12T15:09:00","date_gmt":"2026-03-12T15:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=15711"},"modified":"2026-03-12T15:09:00","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T15:09:00","slug":"martin-fitzwater-apologizes-for-bad-sportsmanship-at-2026-arnold-classic-steve-weinberger-weighs-in-on-controversy-fitness-volt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=15711","title":{"rendered":"Martin Fitzwater Apologizes for Bad Sportsmanship at 2026 Arnold Classic, Steve Weinberger Weighs in on Controversy \u2013 Fitness Volt"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n

Martin Fitzwater has broken his silence after a display of bad sportsmanship at the 2026 Arnold Classic. On March 12, he issued an apology and took full responsibility for his actions. Head judge Steve Weinberger also appeared in an interview to share his opinion on the controversy.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Martin Fitzwater<\/a> earned fourth place at the 2026 Arnold Classic<\/a>. The stakes were high; the Open winner was guaranteed a massive $750,000 purse. In the finals, it turned into a two-man battle between Chinedu Andrew \u2018Jacked\u2019 Obiekea<\/a> and Nick Walker<\/a>. When Walker was announced runner-up, Fitzwater was seen angrily celebrating.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Additionally, he refused to shake Walker\u2019s hand during the awards ceremony. Just a day after the show, Fitzwater began arguing with fans online. As a result, he was dropped by RAW Nutrition and Elev8 Foods<\/a>. Now taking accountability for his actions, Fitzwater issued a heartfelt public statement.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Martin Fitzwater Apologizes for 2026 Arnold Classic Drama, Steve Weinberger Discusses Controversy\u00a0<\/h2>\n

In an Instagram post, Fitzwater addressed his bad sportsmanship at the 2026 Arnold Classic. He took full responsibility and stressed that he\u2019s sorry to his fans, the sport, and the Arnold stage.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

Get Fitter, Faster<\/em><\/h3>\n

Level Up Your Fitness: Join our \ud83d\udcaa strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

\n

\u201cWhat happened last weekend was out of character, and I take full responsibility for it. I\u2019ve always been someone that struggles with losing, but the past couple years I\u2019ve worked hard toward a better version of myself to learn how to handle these moments better.<\/p>\n

This weekend I failed at that. I\u2019m someone who has always worn my heart on my sleeve but that is not an excuse for the way I acted. I\u2019m a professional, and in that moment I didn\u2019t represent myself or my team, for that I am sorry to my true fans, the sport, and the Arnold stage.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

He intends to hold himself to a higher standard moving forward.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cThe truth is I\u2019m human like everyone else, I have struggles and things I\u2019m working through. The difference is that my mistakes happen under a microscope. That doesn\u2019t excuse my behavior, but it does remind me how important it is to hold myself to a higher standard.<\/p>\n

I owe that not only to myself, but to the young athletes who look up to me and to bodybuilding which has given me so much,\u201d Fitzwater shared<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In a recent Overcome Cast YouTube video, head judge Steve Weinberger unpacked the drama. He believes Fitzwater will come back from this.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cI\u2019m not sure if Tyler has spoken with him, probably. We\u2019ve all spoken with him. He\u2019s very sorry. He knows he didn\u2019t do the right thing. He hurt himself and embarrassed himself. He\u2019s got to make good by that. He\u2019s got to come out of the gutter. He\u2019s in the gutter, and he\u2019ll come out. He will. I believe he\u2019ll come back from this.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, he didn\u2019t do anything to be fined, really. It\u2019s not like he, he just didn\u2019t clap and didn\u2019t shake his hand. You can\u2019t tell somebody how to act. They have their own personality. He hurt himself. He cost himself a contract,\u201d Weinberger said<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In the show\u2019s aftermath, some bodybuilders expressed empathy for Fitzwater, including reigning Arnold Classic champ Jacked. He recently offered Fitzwater an all-expenses-paid vacation<\/a> to Costa Rica, though Fitzwater hasn\u2019t discussed if he\u2019ll take him up on it.\u00a0<\/p>\n

As of this writing, Fitzwater is on the roster for the 2026 Arnold Classic UK<\/a>, set for March 27-29. If he does compete, he\u2019ll have the opportunity to rematch Jacked in Birmingham, United Kingdom.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n

Get Fitter, Faster<\/em><\/h3>\n

Level Up Your Fitness: Join our \ud83d\udcaa strong community in Fitness Volt Newsletter. Get daily inspiration, expert-backed workouts, nutrition tips, the latest in strength sports, and the support you need to reach your goals. Subscribe for free!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

RELATED:<\/strong>\u00a0King Kamali Calls Martin Fitzwater a \u2018Hot Head Having Roid Rage\u2019 After 2026 Arnold Classic: \u2018He\u2019s Become Evil\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Watch the full video from the Overcome Cast YouTube channel below:\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n