Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, often known as Andrew Jacked, created history by winning the Men’s Open at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, Ohio.

The 38th edition of the prestigious event was held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, and the Nigerian star performed a commanding performance to win the title and a record-breaking award.

Andrew got $750,000 for winning the Men’s Open division, the greatest prize in the competition’s history.

He received an extra $10,000 for being chosen Best Poser, increasing his total earnings for the night to $760,000.

Arnold Schwarzenegger, the competition’s founder and a bodybuilding legend, was there throughout the event, shooting the final rounds from the sidelines before delivering the microphone to the new champion during the trophy ceremony. Jacked won after a hard-fought battle with former Mr. Olympia champion Hadi Choopan and fan favourite Nick Walker.

The Nigerian earned the judges’ approval due to his outstanding muscular fullness, symmetry, and conditioning, building on his third-place finish at the 2025 Mr. Olympia.

Jacked’s victory makes him the second Nigerian to win the Arnold Classic, following Samson Dauda, and the third African overall.

Jacked, who was born in Kaduna, Nigeria, began his career as an electrical engineer and later became a military officer before transitioning to professional bodybuilding in 2021.

His meteoric rise has propelled him from amateur champion in 2022 to one of the sport’s best competitors, winning one of bodybuilding’s “Triple Crown” medals in just four years.

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