Terrick El Guindy shared Lunsford’s intention while sharing who else he wants to see.
The Arnold Classic continues to take steps up in recent years with prize money being increased. With this comes top-level competitors taking the stage just a few months after the Olympia. Last year, Derek Lunsford took the stage in Columbus and won his first Arnold Classic title. It was recently shared that Lunsford will defend his title this March.
On Tuesday, Terrick El Guindy announced that Lunsford will be competing in the 2026 Arnold Classic while also sharing his thoughts on who he would like to see contend.
“Derek Lunsford has announced ‘hey I’m doing the Arnold Classic.’ I think Martin should jump in and I think Andrew Jacked should jump in. They are very good competitors. If they beat Derek Lunsford, they’ll make a name for themselves and they’ll be projected as favorites to win the Mr. Olympia.”
Lunsford set a goal to complete bodybuilding’s trifecta after his victories at the Arnold Classic and Pittsburgh Pro. He accomplished this goal by winning his second Olympia title. Hadi Choopan finished as the runner-up once again. It was a big-time performance by Andrew Jacked, who was one of the most improved bodybuilders over the course of the year, finishing in third place.
Terrick El Guindy Talks Andrew Jacked & Martin Fitzwater at Arnold
It was announced last week by Chris Aceto that Andrew Jacked will be competing in the Arnold Classic as well. El Guindy would like to see Martin Fitzwater also join the field to see how they look next to Lunsford once again. El Guindy believes this is important for Fitzwater to begin 2026.
“If you look at Martin’s positioning, he has to go after Derek Lunsford or Hadi Choopan during the season in order to set himself up as one of the Olympia contenders. Yes, he still needs to do that in order to make that move.”
“If he beats Hadi or Derek in any show, Arnold Classic, Pittsburgh, New York Pro, then I’ll be the first one to say he is ready to win the 2026 Mr. Olympia.”
On the other hand, Andrew Jacked has already put himself in contention. He defeated former Olympia champion Samson Dauda this year, placing third behind Lunsford and Choopan. While he has proven that he can compete, it would be next level to see Jacked pick up a win over the top two at some point in 2026.
“Andrew Jacked has done that. He’s beaten Samson Dauda at the Olympia. I would also like to have him beating one more guy, Hadi Choopan or Derek Lunsford, for him to join the party and then we have a five-headed monster going into the Olympia.”
Dauda went from winning the 2024 Olympia title to outside of the top three in just one year. Andrew Jacked is going the opposite direction each year. He is now likely to take the stage in Columbus and will be one of the favorites to win coming off his Olympia performance, were he impressed with his full physique and incredible height. Jacked has been a noticeable competitor because of an insane amount of muscle on a taller frame.
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