Less than two months before the 36th Arnold Classic, a top contender has dropped out. IFBB Pro League Men’s Open bodybuilder Chinedu Andrew Obiekea, better known as Andrew Jacked, has withdrawn from both the 2024 Arnold Classic (USA) and 2024 Arnold Classic UK contests.
The 2024 Arnold Classic first contest is slated for the weekend of March 1-three, 2024, in Columbus, OH. The UK event is set for two weekends later, on March 15-17, 2024, in Birmingham, UK.
Jacked shared the news of his withdrawal on his Instagram page via a post and story on the morning of Jan. 15, 2024. Check it out below:
View this post on Instagram
In the post, Jacked cited “so many things happening at the same time from multiple factors.” He did not elaborate on what those factors were, and he made the post unavailable to receive comments. Jacked shared on a follow-up Instagram story that his health was “awesome” but that he needed an off-season and to rest.
At the time of this article’s publication, the Arnold Sports Festival promoters had not announced whether Jacked’s absence in either contest would be filled by another bodybuilder(s). Jacked’s withdrawal leaves 12 athletes competing in Columbus, OH, and eight to pose down in Birmingham. The updated rosters for both shows are below:
Arnold Classic (USA) Roster
- Remeco Bose*
- Rafael Brandao
- Hadi Choopan
- Samson Dauda
- Horse Marcello De Angelis
- Jon Delarosa
- Mohamed Shaaban Elimbabi
- James Hollingshead
- Rubiel Mosquera
- Justin Rodriguez
- Antoine Vaillant
- Akim Williams
*Arnold Amateur winner
Arnold Classic UK Roster
- Hadi Choopan
- Samson Dauda
- Jonathan Delarosa
- Mohamad Shaaban Elimbaby
- James Hollingshead
- Rubiel Mosquera
- Antoine Vaillant
- Akim Williams
Jacked recently came off a fifth-place finish at the 2023 Mr. Olympia in Orlando, FL, won by Derek Lunsford. Jacked’s most recent pro show victory was the 2023 Texas Pro. Jacked’s most recent Arnold Classic appearance in 2023 culminated in a bronze-medal finish behind winner Samson Dauda and runner-up Nick Walker.
Jacked won the 2022 Arnold Classic UK and 2022 Texas Pro after turning pro at the 2022 Arnold Amateur contest 2024 is his third pro season in the IFBB Pro League.
The 2024 Arnold Classic will be available to watch via livestream for free. Details can be found on the Arnold Sports website. BarBend will provide updates if Jacked’s vacancy is filled in either the Arnold Classic or the Arnold Classic UK.
Featured image: @andrewjacked on Instagram
