Andrew Jacked’s win over Nick Walker at the 2026 Arnold Classic remains one of the biggest talking points in Men’s Open. IFBB head judge Steve Weinberger gave a detailed explanation of how the judging looked from the panel side, focusing on shape, fullness, execution, and comparison-by-comparison scoring.
Andrew Jacked’s Winning Package in Columbus
“I thought he was fuller, more muscle mass. I still think he could work on his posing a little bit. I think his presentation could be a little better. As good as he is, there’s a lot of improvements, which is pretty much dangerous for the other guys. His arms are big. I like to see him even a little bigger. His thighs are overpowered by his inner quads. I like to see his outer sweep come in bigger. I think he needs more sweep on his front thigh. He already is a dangerous bodybuilder, but he’ll be even more dangerous and vicious.”
Andrew’s performance in Columbus pushed him deeper into the title conversation, especially with his size and stage impact. The remaining development points are still clear in lower body balance, polish in presentation, and overall back refinement. Fans tracking this season can compare where things stand against the 2023 Arnold Classic results and 2024 Arnold Classic results.
What Still Needs Improvement Before Olympia
“The first time I saw him, I thought, ‘Wow, this guy has all the makings of a champion.’ Will he go on to win the Olympia? Very possible. He needs better stage presence 100%. He should really concentrate on posing and not so much as being flashy. His legs need to improve. A back can never be big enough. He’s got a good back, but it could be bigger and it could be thicker.”
With the next phase of the season approaching, Andrew Jacked is prepping for the 2026 Arnold Classic UK. Nick Walker is not doing that show, which keeps this result as the latest direct benchmark between the two in this cycle.
Nick Walker’s Best Version Still Pressured the Lineup
“Nick hit a back bicep and honestly he won that pose because Andrew’s back was not as good as Nick’s. That was the best Nick I’ve seen. Honestly, I think that was the best Nick. He might not be at his best, but he might be good enough to win. That’s all that matters. If he’s the best on stage, he’s going to get it.”
Nick’s placement came with strong praise from the head judge, including specific acknowledgment of his back shots and overall condition. The race heading toward Olympia remains wide open, with form, timing, and conditioning still likely to decide the final order.
Related Reading
For broader context on how quickly this division can shift, revisit the 2023 Mr. Olympia results. For technical context around mandatory execution and back comparisons, see Bodybuilding Poses and Best Backs in Bodybuilding.
Watch the video below:
Follow the 2026 Arnold Classic live – prejudging breakdowns, event recaps, expert analysis, and complete results as they happen. Get full coverage at our Arnold Classic hub: FitnessVolt.com/arnold-classic
You can also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and
YouTube for even more content.Tip: If you're signed in to Google, tap Follow.
