Peak week has begun, and the 2026 Arnold Classic has taken over Columbus, Ohio, from March 5-8. On March 4, bodybuilder James Hollingshead shared his top 10 Men’s Open picks before the event.
Ahead of the contest, fans and bodybuilders have largely backed two contenders as favorites: Hadi Choopan and Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea. Choopan took second place for a third time at the Mr. Olympia and won the Arnold Classic back in 2024. He didn’t compete last year, so he never truly lost his title onstage.
Jacked has made huge strides quickly in the IFBB Pro League. His breakout performance at the 2025 Mr. Olympia led to a third-place finish, the highest of his career. Thanks to his stature and hamstring improvements, many believe he’s coming into his own as a Men’s Open star. He will compete in Columbus with real momentum – Jacked recently won the Romania Pro.
It won’t just be these two heavy hitters; expectations are high for Martin Fitzwater. He took fifth at Olympia, then shocked the world by taking out Samson Dauda at the Prague Pro. Nick Walker, meanwhile, wants to show his drop to sixth place at Olympia was a fluke. He has kept his physique updates under wraps this time around, making it near impossible to predict how he’ll look.
James Hollingshead’s Top 10 Men’s Open Picks for the 2026 Arnold Classic
Find his picks from the video below:
- Winner — Andrew Jacked
- Second Place — Martin Fitzwater
- Third Place — Hadi Choopan
- Fourth Place — Nick Walker
- Fifth Place — Mo Foda
- Sixth Place — Brandon Curry
- Seventh Place — Rafael Brandao
- Eighth Place — Akim Williams
- Ninth Place — Anthony Williams
- Tenth Place — Hassan Mostafa
While those four names are receiving attention, other contenders could make waves when the show kicks off. Rafael Brandao took bronze at the 2024 Arnold Classic, so fans aren’t counting him out. Brandon Curry, a former 2019 Mr. Olympia, has won the Arnold Classic twice (2019, 2022). Moreover, Curry is the only athlete in the lineup to defeat Choopan in a contest. Beyond those names, Mohamed Foda stands out as a legitimate threat, along with mass monster Akim Williams.
Hollingshead isn’t the only bodybuilder backing Jacked to emerge victorious. Former four-time Mr. Olympia king Jay Cutler recently suggested that the Nigerian native has ‘all the tools’ to win the 2026 Arnold Classic and the Mr. Olympia.
The Men’s Open winner of the 2026 Arnold Classic will secure a life-changing $750,000 purse. The event is set for March 5-8 in Columbus, Ohio. Our Fitness Volt staff will have live coverage of all the action!
Watch the full video from the IFBB Pro James Hollingshead YouTube channel below:
Get Ready With Us for the 2026 Arnold Classic
- Reigning Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford Shares His Top 4 Open Picks for the 2026 Arnold Classic
- 2026 Arnold Classic Physique Preview and Contenders to Watch
- 2026 Arnold Classic Men’s Open Preview and Contenders to Watch
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.
