{"id":16047,"date":"2026-03-22T10:25:16","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T10:25:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=16047"},"modified":"2026-03-22T10:25:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T10:25:16","slug":"nigerian-bodybuilder-andrew-jacked-wins-2026-arnold-classic-mens-open-title","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/worldbodybuildingnews.com\/?p=16047","title":{"rendered":"Nigerian Bodybuilder Andrew Jacked Wins 2026 Arnold Classic Men\u2019s Open Title"},"content":{"rendered":"


\n<\/p>\n

\n
\n

The victory, which saw Andrew Jacked defeat former Mr Olympia Hadi Choopan and 2021 winner Nick Walker, stands as one of the largest payouts in the sport\u2019s history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

By Abioye Damilare Samson<\/b><\/p>\n

Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, the athlete known globally as <\/span>Andrew Jacked<\/span><\/a>, has claimed the prestigious 2026 Arnold Classic Men\u2019s Open title, earning a record-breaking $750,000 grand prize at the 38th annual Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio.<\/span><\/p>\n

The victory, which saw Andrew defeat former Mr Olympia <\/span>Hadi Choopan<\/span><\/a> and 2021 winner <\/span>Nick Walker<\/span><\/a>, stands as one of the largest payouts in the sport\u2019s history. The Arnold Classic, held annually in Columbus, Ohio, is one of bodybuilding\u2019s most prestigious competitions and serves as a major qualifier for the Mr Olympia championship.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Andrew
Andrew Jacked<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In a lineup that felt more like a clash of titans than a standard competition, Andrew\u2019s victory was defined by a rare blend of towering height and aesthetic symmetry that the judges found impossible to overlook. Known for his \u201cMona Lisa\u201d physique, he brought his most complete package to date, maintaining a level of conditioning that kept the arena electric until the final posedown. He further solidified his dominant showing by walking away with the Ed Corney Best Poser Award, a distinction that added another $10,000 to his historic haul.<\/span><\/p>\n

Among the competitors, Andrew stands out for his unique journey and mental discipline. Born in Kaduna, Nigeria, he initially pursued electrical engineering and served as a military officer before transitioning to kickboxing and then to bodybuilding in Dubai. Just four years after winning the Arnold Classic Amateur, he has now secured the professional Men\u2019s Open title.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n See Also<\/span><\/p>\n
\n \"Visions\"<\/a>
\n <\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\"Andrew<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the mental discipline required for such a victory, Andrew noted that he stayed entirely off social media to avoid comparing himself to other competitors. \u201cI didn\u2019t need to scroll Instagram to see anyone else; I just needed to bring the best version of Chinedu\u201d, he shared in a post-win <\/span>interview<\/span><\/a> with RXMuscle.<\/span><\/p>\n

Andrew\u2019s recognition at the Arnold Classic reflects his rise from his roots in Kaduna to becoming a legitimate threat to the Mr Olympia throne. His 2026 win marks a major milestone in his career, highlighted by a handshake with Arnold Schwarzenegger to close out the night, cementing his place among bodybuilding\u2019s elite competitors.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n