The 2026 Arnold Classic is almost here, and bodybuilders are discussing who could win. On Feb. 25, Urs Kalecinski revealed his top Men’s Open and Classic Physique picks just one week before they step onstage.
The 2026 Arnold Classic is headlined by the Men’s Open class. The stakes are enormous this year, as the newly crowned champ will secure a historic $750,000 prize purse. Hadi Choopan is the clear favorite, thanks to three consecutive runner-up performances at the Mr. Olympia. He also won the Arnold Classic in 2024 and chose not to compete in 2025, so he never truly lost his title.
For Choopan to claim another crown, he’ll have to get through Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea, who continues to gain momentum. He achieved a career-high finish of third-place at the 2025 Olympia, making him a top threat heading into the event. Jacked has already secured his Olympia qualification for 2026 following his dominant victory at the Romania Muscle Fest Pro.
Beyond Jacked, other contenders have flown under the radar, including Martin Fitzwater. He took fifth place at the Mr. Olympia and beat Samson Dauda at the 2025 Prague Pro. His lower body density and conditioning could give him the upper hand. Moreover, he doesn’t have to worry about Olympia passage either, which means he’s had time to solely focus on improving his physique.
Nick Walker has a chip on his shoulder en route to the Arnold Classic. Despite massive hype before the Olympia, he missed the mark and fell to sixth place. In the show’s aftermath, “The Mutant” fired his coach, Kyle Wilkes. Walker has shared fewer physique updates, leaving fans unsure of how he might look when the curtains rise.
Urs Kalecinski’s Top Picks for the 2026 Arnold Classic in Classic Physique & Men’s Open
Find his picks from his Instagram below:
Men’s Open
- Andrew Jacked
- Martin Fitzwater
- Nick Walker
- Hadi Choopan
Classic Physique
- Mike Sommerfeld
- Wesley Vissers
- Andrea Mammoli
Classic Physique should deliver an exciting show with Mike Sommerfeld aiming to secure his second title. However, with Wesley Vissers in the mix, he’s in for an intense showdown. Andrea Mammoli and Sam Sulek also stand out as possible contenders.
Starting his career in Classic Physique, Kalecinski has a firm understanding of the landscape. Last year, he surprised fans after announcing his switch to the Men’s Open class. While some had doubts, “The Miracle Bear” has already proven himself, picking up major wins at the 2025 ProMuscle Italy Pro and the Europa Pro Championships.
The second biggest show of the year is almost here. Don’t miss Fitness Volt‘s full coverage of the 2026 Arnold Classic from March 5-8 in Columbus, Ohio.
RELATED: Bodybuilding Veteran Seth Feroce Reveals His Top 10 Men’s Open Picks for the 2026 Arnold Classic
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