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’s Open competition during the 38th annual Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus.
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.
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.
From the moment he stepped on stage, Andrew Jacked impressed judges with his trademark combination of mass, symmetry, and classic aesthetics. His wide back, balanced proportions, and razor-sharp conditioning stood out throughout both the prejudging rounds and the finals.
The Nigerian star also walked away with the Ed Corney Best Poser Award, recognizing his exceptional stage presentation. The bonus added $10,000 to his winnings, bringing his total prize money to $760,000, including the $750,000 Arnold Classic champion’s purse, now widely considered the largest payout in professional bodybuilding history.
The win also carries deep historical significance. Andrew Jacked becomes only the second Nigerian and the third African athlete to win the Arnold Classic, a competition traditionally dominated by athletes from the United States and Europe.
Born Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, the 38-year-old athlete currently lives in the United Arab Emirates. Before becoming one of bodybuilding’s 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.
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.
Industry analysts believe this Arnold Classic victory could mark the beginning of an even bigger chapter in his career.
Many experts have described his physique as the perfect blend of modern muscle mass and classic bodybuilding aesthetics, a combination that could make him a serious contender for the Mr. Olympia crown later this year.
Across Nigeria and throughout Africa, fans flooded social media with congratulatory messages celebrating the historic achievement. For many supporters, Andrew Jacked’s triumph represents not only personal success but also a powerful symbol of Africa’s growing presence in global bodybuilding.
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? See More