\n<\/p>\n
Baena celebrated the win on Instagram, posting photos from the event holding a sword and shield after being crowned champion. \u201cYour new INBA Iron Gladiator Classic Physique Champion,\u201d he wrote alongside the photos.<\/p>\n
The latest victory comes after Baena opened his bodybuilding career with a strong showing at the NPC Natural Colorado State Championships on March 28. During that competition, he finished first in the Men\u2019s Open Bodybuilding Heavyweight Class, Men\u2019s Classic Physique True Novice, and Men\u2019s Classic Physique Novice divisions. <\/p>\n
He also earned a silver medal in the Men\u2019s Classic Physique Open Class C category.<\/p>\n
\u201cMission Accomplished! \ud83e\udd47,\u201d Baena wrote after his first event, sharing stage photos from the competition.<\/p>\n
Despite his famous last name, Baena said he waited years before fully committing to competitive bodybuilding. Ahead of the Iron Gladiator event, he explained that 2026 became the year he stopped hesitating.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year was the year that I said, \u2018Enough being afraid. Enough overthinking. It\u2019s time to commit,\u2019\u201d Baena said in an interview shared on Instagram<\/a>. He added that the INBA event was only his \u201csecond show ever.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Baena\u2019s path to bodybuilding began long before he stepped onstage. He said he struggled with his weight as a teenager and was cut from both his basketball and soccer teams. Swimming eventually gave him an entry point into fitness.<\/p>\n \u201cSwim didn\u2019t have tryouts, thankfully, and completely changed my life forever,\u201d Baena wrote in a July Instagram post. \u201cThat was my introduction to fitness and training.\u201d<\/p>\n