Andrew Jacked is no longer the future of the Men’s Open division — he is its present. In March 2026, the Nigerian giant won the Arnold Classic in Columbus, beating Nick Walker and Hadi Choopan for the biggest prize money in bodybuilding history. 🏆
The old version of this page stopped in 2023. This refreshed biography covers the full, verified story: the engineer and military officer from Kaduna, two pro cards in two federations, three Texas Pro titles — and a Million Dollar March that actually delivered.
⚡ Quick Facts
| Full Name | Chinedu Andrew Obiekea |
| Born | 1985, Kaduna, Nigeria (exact date not published) |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Based In | Dubai, UAE |
| Height | 6 ft 2 in (188 cm), as widely reported |
| Weight | Not published (around 290 lb in the off-season, as reported) |
| Division | IFBB Pro League Men’s Open Bodybuilding |
| Pro Card | 2022 Arnold Classic Amateur overall winner (Columbus) |
| Pro Wins | 8 |
| Biggest Title | 2026 Arnold Classic champion |
| Mr. Olympia Appearances | 5 (2022–2026), best finish 3rd in 2025 |
| Background | Electrical engineer and former military officer |
| @andrewjacked | |
| Status | Active — reigning Arnold Classic champion |
🌱 From Kaduna to Dubai: The Engineer Who Rebuilt Himself
Chinedu Andrew Obiekea was born in Kaduna, in northern Nigeria, in 1985. His first careers had nothing to do with a bodybuilding stage.
He studied engineering, worked as an electrical engineer and served as a military officer. He was also a kickboxer before bodybuilding took over his life.
After relocating to Dubai in the UAE, he trained at the famous Binous Gym. In 2019 he began turning heads in training footage alongside powerlifting star Larry “Wheels” Williams. 💪
At 6 ft 2 in, with a strikingly small waist for a super-heavyweight, the potential was obvious. What nobody yet knew was how fast he would convert it into titles.
One quirk shapes everything about his physique: food intolerances and a sensitive stomach limit him to roughly four meals and a shake a day. He credits that restriction — not any secret — for keeping his waist so tight.
🚀 Two Federations, Two Pro Cards (2021–2022)
Jacked’s competitive debut came in April 2021 at the EBBF Ajman Bodybuilding and Physique Contest in the UAE, where he won and earned an IFBB Elite Pro card. A week later he won an IFBB Elite Pro League show as well.
But the Elite card belonged to a different federation — it could not take him to the Mr. Olympia. So in March 2022 he crossed over to the IFBB Pro League and won the Arnold Classic Amateur overall title in Columbus, earning the pro card that mattered.
Two pro cards, in two federations, in under a year. The engineer from Kaduna now owns the second-biggest title in bodybuilding — but in the summer of 2022, he was still an unknown rookie about to make his pro debut.
🏆 A Perfect Pro Debut Season (2022)
Most rookies take years to win a pro show. Jacked won his very first one: the 2022 Texas Pro, beating established names and qualifying for the Mr. Olympia at the first attempt.
Weeks later he did it again, winning the 2022 Arnold Classic UK in Birmingham. Two shows, two titles — before he had ever set foot on an Olympia stage.
His Olympia debut followed in Las Vegas in December 2022: 8th place in the deepest line-up in the sport. For a man who had been an amateur eighteen months earlier, it was a remarkable arrival.
📈 The Olympia Climb (2023–2025)
In March 2023, Jacked took 3rd at the Arnold Classic in Columbus, behind only Samson Dauda and Nick Walker. He then defended his Texas Pro crown in the summer for a second straight win.
At the 2023 Mr. Olympia he climbed to 5th place. A year later he repeated the pattern exactly: another Texas Pro title — his third in a row — and another 5th place at the 2024 Olympia, won that year by Samson Dauda.
The real leap came in 2025. Jacked opened with 3rd at the Arnold Classic, then collected two more pro wins — the FIBO Pro in Germany and the Romania Muscle Fest Pro.
He closed the season with his best Olympia finish yet: 3rd place in Las Vegas. The climb now read 8th, 5th, 5th, 3rd — one direction only. 🔥
👑 2026: The Million Dollar March
Everything came together on Saturday, 7 March 2026, at the 38th Arnold Classic in Columbus. Jacked beat Nick Walker into second and former Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan into third, winning with 13 points to Walker’s 18.
The winner’s cheque was a record $750,000 — the largest in bodybuilding history — and he added the $10,000 Ed Corney Best Poser Award on top. His full title now sits on our list of every Arnold Classic winner since 1989.
Weeks later he crossed the Atlantic and won the Arnold Classic UK as well, adding another $250,000. Two Arnold titles in one month: over a million dollars in prize money, and a spring the sport had already nicknamed the “Million Dollar March”. 💰
📍 Andrew Jacked in 2026: The Olympia and What Comes Next
Jacked carried that momentum into the 2026 Mr. Olympia in Las Vegas in September — and this time Walker got his revenge. Walker won the title, Dauda was second, Derek Lunsford third, and Jacked finished 4th.
His coach, Chris Aceto, was honest about the reason: conditioning. Jacked arrived slightly less dry than in March, and at this level that is the whole game.
There is no talk of slowing down. Jacked has already signalled he will defend his Arnold Classic title in 2027 — “we will run it back” — and at 6 ft 2 in with a posing style fans compare to the classic era, his best years may still be ahead of him. 🎯
📋 Verified Contest Record
| Year | Contest | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | EBBF Ajman Bodybuilding & Physique Contest | 1st 🏆 IFBB Elite Pro card |
| 2021 | IFBB Elite Pro League Show | 1st 🏆 |
| 2022 | Arnold Classic Amateur (overall) | 1st 🏆 IFBB Pro League card |
| 2022 | Texas Pro (pro debut) | 1st 🏆 |
| 2022 | Arnold Classic UK | 1st 🏆 |
| 2022 | Mr. Olympia | 8th |
| 2023 | Arnold Classic | 3rd |
| 2023 | Texas Pro | 1st 🏆 |
| 2023 | Mr. Olympia | 5th |
| 2024 | Texas Pro | 1st 🏆 |
| 2024 | Mr. Olympia | 5th |
| 2025 | Arnold Classic | 3rd |
| 2025 | FIBO Pro | 1st 🏆 |
| 2025 | Romania Muscle Fest Pro | 1st 🏆 |
| 2025 | Mr. Olympia | 3rd |
| 2026 | Arnold Classic | 1st 🏆 |
| 2026 | Arnold Classic UK | 1st 🏆 |
| 2026 | Mr. Olympia | 4th |
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is Andrew Jacked’s real name?
His full name is Chinedu Andrew Obiekea. The Nigerian competes under the nickname “Andrew Jacked”, and official scorecards list him as Chinedu Obiekea.
When did Andrew Jacked win the Arnold Classic?
On 7 March 2026 in Columbus, Ohio. He beat Nick Walker (2nd) and Hadi Choopan (3rd), won a record $750,000 first prize, and also took home the Ed Corney Best Poser Award. Weeks later he won the Arnold Classic UK too.
How many pro wins does Andrew Jacked have?
Eight in the IFBB Pro League: the Texas Pro in 2022, 2023 and 2024, the Arnold Classic UK in 2022 and 2026, the FIBO Pro and Romania Muscle Fest Pro in 2025, and the Arnold Classic in 2026.
What is Andrew Jacked’s best Mr. Olympia result?
Third place, in 2025. He has competed at five straight Olympias — 8th in 2022, 5th in 2023, 5th in 2024, 3rd in 2025 and 4th in 2026.
Where is Andrew Jacked from, and where does he live?
He was born in Kaduna, Nigeria, and is based in Dubai, UAE, where he trains at Binous Gym. In 2026 he also spent pre-contest periods in the Tampa Bay area of Florida, training with former pro Kamal Elgargni.
Is Andrew Jacked still competing?
Yes. He is the reigning Arnold Classic champion, finished 4th at the 2026 Mr. Olympia, and has signalled he will defend his Arnold title in 2027.
🏁 Final Word
Five years ago, Andrew Jacked was an engineer and ex-military officer lifting in Dubai. Today he holds the Arnold Classic title, eight pro wins and five straight Olympia appearances — including a podium finish.
Only one trophy is missing: the Sandow. On the evidence of his climb — and the way he dismantled the field in Columbus — nobody in the Open division will be surprised if the man from Kaduna comes back for it. 💪