Andrew Jacked (Chinedu Andrew Obiekea) confirmed his entry for the 2027 Arnold Classic. In an October 5 video, his coach, Chris Aceto, explained why dryness will be key to winning in Columbus, Ohio. He also compared Jacked to bodybuilding legend Flex Wheeler.
Jacked solidified himself as a massive favorite for the 2026 Mr. Olympia contest. Before making his way to Vegas, he picked up three consecutive victories, including the 2025 Romania Muscle Fest Pro, the Arnold Classic, and the Arnold Classic UK. However, at the Olympia, he stumbled to fourth place behind former champion Derek Lunsford.
Jacked wasted no time after the Olympia. He wants to add another insane cash prize to the $750,000 he earned at last year’s Arnold. Looking ahead, he faces another stellar lineup. Reigning Mr. Olympia Nick Walker will be in the mix, along with Samson Dauda and Hadi Choopan.
Chris Aceto Breaks Down What Andrew Jacked Needs for 2027 Arnold Classic
In the video, Aceto emphasized that Jacked would have placed better at the Olympia with a drier physique, which will likely be their focus for the Arnold.
“He was a little rounder than he needed to be, which really means, translates into… he could have been drier. That would of made a big difference. Like he was at the Arnold last year, like he was at the Olympia last year, like he was at the Arnold UK last year. I don’t know how you see it. I see it that he’s even bigger now than the Arnold.”
“The illusion is accentuated.”
He compared Jacked’s physique to Flex Wheeler. He noted that when they are on the money, they dominate lineups with structure, muscle bellies, and V-taper:
“He’s right there. Unfortunately, he wasn’t right there,” said Aceto. “It’s a unique physique. I mean, everyone has a unique physique, but it is a secondary version of, I think I’d say this already on the show after the Olympia, of a Flex Wheeler, in that if Flex is a little off, he doesn’t win but if he’s right on, he just scorches the lineup. I think that has to do with muscle bellies and structure.”
“Sometimes, Wheeler would be really, really, really good, and then, there’s just this other dimension his physique would take on, when he’s like 100% on the money. He would look even bigger when he’s 100% on, regardless of the weight, measurements, anything like that. I think Andrew has those attributes, which is the structure, the taper, the tie-ins, that type of stuff.”
After the 2026 Mr. Olympia wrapped, bodybuilding veterans have offered the top finishers advice. Samir Bannout maintains that Jacked looked soft throughout prejudging and was holding on to a film of water. This aligns with Aceto’s outlook, as he insists Jacked needed to be drier.
Many believe Jacked has all the tools to conquer the biggest shows in the IFBB Pro League. Time will tell if he can earn a second Arnold Classic title in March.
