In the grand theatre of bodybuilding, Chinedu “Andrew Jacked” Obiekea is a name quickly gaining resonance. As the second Mr. Olympia contest of his career approaches this November, Obiekea, in conversation with Muscular Development’s Giles Thomas, shared his tactical blueprint: a laser-focused commitment to enhancing his hamstrings and refining his glutes, all with the intent to captivate judges in Orlando, Florida.
The IFBB Pro League: Obiekea’s Meteoric Rise
Though relatively new to the IFBB Pro League, Obiekea’s track record already speaks volumes. With his towering frame, accentuated 3D proportions, and a distinctive X-frame silhouette, his inaugural year was nothing short of spectacular, making waves and drawing attention from enthusiasts and rivals alike.
From Amateur to Pro: A Journey of Triumphs
His remarkable journey was kickstarted at the 2022 Arnold Classic Amateur, where he not only made his mark but walked away with the coveted IFBB Pro card. The winning spree continued. Facing seasoned competitors like Martin Fitzwater and Steve Kuclo at the 2022 Texas Pro, Obiekea claimed another first-place title. With his eyes set on bigger prizes, he then confidently entered the Arnold Classic UK in September, adding yet another victory to his burgeoning resume.
Battling Adversity on the Olympia Stage
The illustrious Mr. Olympia stage in December, however, presented a unique challenge. Stricken by a severe 102-degree fever, the circumstances might have defeated a lesser athlete. But Obiekea persevered, clinching a respectable eighth place. His resilience did not go unnoticed, and subsequent events bore witness to his tenacity. Celebrations followed with a third-place finish at the 2023 Arnold Classic and a successful title defense at the Texas Pro, where he bested Hunter Labrada in a match that had fans at the edge of their seats.
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Andrew Jacked’s Gaining Ground: 3 Lbs Rise in Texas and His 2023 Mr. Olympia Vision
Andrew Jacked highlighted a significant gain, being 3 lbs heavier during his Texas prep. Central to his 2023 strategy was sculpting a more refined back. With an eye on his second Mr. Olympia stint, he is honing in on magnifying his hamstrings and achieving crisper glutes.
“Awesome, I feel good, I feel great, I feel good. I feel okay,” said Andrew Jacked. “Yeah [my back improved] because I think I’m still a work in progress and me and the guys we’re still trying to like – you know, just… we were still trying to get everything put in place. For the Arnold, it was more like being conditioned and we got that checked in the box.
For this prep, it was more like trying to get that back to come up a bit. So, that’s a check in the box. So for the Olympia, heading towards the Olympia, the focus now will be the hamstrings, bigger, the glutes, tighter, and you know, yeah, and slowly we will now be able to get another overall work done on it. But now I’m just hitting one brick by brick, we’re hitting one step at a time.”
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Reflecting on Past Hurdles: Andrew Jacked’s Olympia Journey
Navigating the Olympia stage under trying circumstances, Jacked posits that this past endeavor might not have mirrored the zenith of his bodybuilding prowess.
“As a matter of fact, I’ve put all these shows that I did, the amateur, the Texas of last year, the Arnold UK, I didn’t put the Olympia because I didn’t do anything at the Olympia; I wasn’t feeling so good. I was just maintaining, just trying to just stay in shape. I don’t count that. I put the Arnold and this one together, so yeah.”
Dubai Interlude: Andrew Jacked’s Training Plans Unfold
Jacked has charted out a brief return to Dubai before reconvening in September, under the discerning guidance of Chris ‘Psycho’ Lewis.
“I’ll be heading back I think this weekend back to Dubai and then I just have to regroup, I got work to take care of, some personal things. Stuff to handle there and then I think I will just be there for a couple of weeks. I’m looking at the third or fourth week of September I’ll be back and I’ll continue because we don’t have much time on our hands, you know what I mean, so yeah.”
Aceto’s Prediction Nearly Spot-On for Andrew’s Texas Appearance
Chris Aceto, the astute coach behind Andrew, had projected a weight gain of approximately five pounds for the Texas event in comparison to the Arnold Classic. His foresight proved to be impressively accurate.
“At the Arnold, I think I only came in three pounds heavier. At the Arnold I was 273, but this competition [Texas] I remember I was about to step out and step on stage, I was 276. I think I was just three pounds heavier. If you compare both of them, the Arnold and this, I would say probably I’ll say weight-wise, they are not the same but perspective-wise I think they are the same.”
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Andrew’s Nuanced Approach: One Step at a Time
Rather than pursuing comprehensive enhancements, Andrew and his collaborative team are taking a methodical approach, emphasizing individual body parts incrementally. He candidly shared that this strategic shift has made his current preparations starkly different. Reflecting on his past association with George Farah and Flex Wheeler, Andrew felt that guidance and instructions were notably sparse.
“We’re not focusing on the overall improvement, we’re focusing on one step at a time because I will say I’m starting to be – I started to be a bodybuilder from this Arnold because I got, you know, a team and a different thing entirely I’m doing. Because last year, I literally trained myself, I like trained myself. I was with George but I was literally doing everything the same by myself. Training myself, why, so. So I wouldn’t count that. I would just count that as a beginner’s phase.
As much as that, I was still able to accomplish a lot. Literally on my own. But without them aside, but now, yeah, Flex also was there but due to his health situations, he only called me to get together for a couple of days. I wouldn’t count that. A couple of days of a full year, that’s not – it’s modernized like nothing, but I did gain some knowledge.”
Flex Wheeler Weighs in on Texas Pro: A Veteran’s Take
Post the Texas Pro, seasoned figures from the bodybuilding fraternity have voiced their perspectives. In a recent episode on Olympia TV, Flex Wheeler, the bodybuilding icon, shared his constructive insights about the performances of both Andrew Jacked and Hunter Labrada.
Wheeler noted some imperfections in Jacked’s presentation, suggesting that his rear double biceps pose came across as ‘novice-like’ due to excessive adjustments made during his stage time. Meanwhile, Labrada did not escape Wheeler’s scrutiny either. The veteran expressed disappointment with Labrada’s overall conditioning on the competition day, highlighting that Labrada appeared in better form in the physique updates shared mere days ahead of the event.
Yet, as critiques from peers and seniors unfolded, Jacked took a moment to comment on his recent triumph. Graciously, he extended gratitude to his competitors, specifically naming Hunter Labrada and Carlos Thomas Jr., for challenging and motivating him to elevate his bodybuilding prowess. With the momentum he’s garnered from his Texas win, the bodybuilding community is abuzz with anticipation. All eyes are on Andrew Jacked, as enthusiasts hope to witness a more refined version of him at the Olympia, particularly emphasizing a more sculpted back, hamstrings, and glutes.
For a deeper dive into these insights and more, refer to the complete discussion in the Muscular Development’s latest YouTube video.
Overview
Chinedu “Andrew Jacked” Obiekea, a rising star in the bodybuilding community, is meticulously preparing for the upcoming Mr. Olympia contest in Orlando, Florida. After a series of remarkable victories, including at the 2022 Texas Pro and the Arnold Classic UK, Obiekea has set his sights on refining specific attributes, namely his hamstrings and glutes. Facing both accolades and constructive critique, notably from veteran bodybuilder Flex Wheeler, Jacked’s approach remains methodical and focused. As the bodybuilding world watches intently, Jacked’s performance at the next Olympia is eagerly anticipated, with many hoping for a stellar showcase of his refined physique. For a detailed insight into his journey and strategies, enthusiasts are directed to Muscular Development’s YouTube channel.
Featured Image @andrewjacked (Instagram), @Musculardevelopment (Youtube)
