The pressure is on Men’s Open Pros Hunter Labrada and Chinedu Andrew ‘Jacked’ Obiekea as they aim to secure their passage to this year’s Olympia competition. In a pair of Instagram posts, Labrada and Jacked teased their physiques weeks before stepping back on stage.
Hunter is the son of bodybuilding veteran and perennial Olympia contender Lee Labrada. Having followed in his father’s footsteps, it didn’t take long for Labrada to find his calling inside the gym and on stage. Fans took notice of Labrada’s potential in 2021 when he won the Chicago Pro title and placed fourth at the annual Olympia.
Labrada was considered a frontrunner heading into 2022 Olympia in light of his impressive showing. Instead of laboring through a busy season, Labrada had the luxury of time, which allowed him to cultivate mass and build extra muscle. However, when it was time to perform on the sport’s biggest stage, Labrada encountered problems with the prep/peak. He finished seventh, though he promised to return better than ever.
Hunter Labrada plans to test himself at two shows: the 2023 Tampa Pro and the Texas Pro. In May, Labrada reiterated his commitment to the sport and underlined that he’s still ‘one of the best’ with plans to ‘prove it’ later this year.
Andrew Jacked meanwhile, jumped into the upper echelon of the division last year with a historic rookie season. With symmetry, proportions, and flexibility like his former mentor Flex Wheeler, Andrew’s stage presentation and aesthetics made him a dangerous opponent for anyone.
In 2022, he secured his IFBB Pro card at the 2022 Arnold Classic Amateur before winning the Texas Pro and Arnold Classic UK consecutively. In his debut on the Olympia stage, Jacked trailed one spot behind Hunter in eighth place. Both men are on the hunt for Olympia invites and are likely to face each other at the upcoming 2023 Texas Pro.
Hunter Labrada Checks In w/ Physique Update: “Best I’ve Ever Been With 16 Days to Go”
Labrada looked huge in his latest physique update under three weeks from performing at the 2023 Tampa Pro.
“Best I’ve ever been with 16 days to go?? One last push and then it’s time to freshen up and do the damn thing! Excited is an understatement??” Hunter Labrada wrote.
“The Goal Is To Beat My Previous Self” Andrew Jacked Teases Physique Weeks from 2023 Texas Pro
Jacked is also looking monstrous in his latest progress video, which you can find below:
“I’m not in Competition with Anybody but Against the Person I See in The Mirror. The Goal is to always beat my previous self!
@psychofitness21 @therealtechnician
The Hoodie is Still On. Few Weeks left to Unveil the upgraded MonaLisa.Yesszzziirrr !!!” Andrew Jacked shared.
Aside from physique updates, Andrew has shared numerous training sessions in the lead-up to his next competition. The last time fans saw him in action, Jacked showcased a back-density workout that he’s been using to give himself the illusion of a more 3D physique on stage.
Whether it’s nutrition or coaching changes, Andrew is willing to take the necessary steps to evolve as an athlete. Last year, he forged a new partnership with trainers Chris ‘Psycho’ Lewis and Chris Aceto. With another season to build, Jacked is hopeful about his Olympia chances down the road.
As for Hunter Labrada, he’s also taken a calculated approach to his season. In addition to physique updates, Labrada has shared gut health hacks, guest posing appearances, training sessions, and started incorporating vacuum poses to help him exercise more control over his midsection.
Should Labrada and Jacked succeed in their respective missions, they will have the opportunity to face off against the reigning Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan, who took the crown from the former two-time champ Mamdouh ‘Big Ramy’ Elssbiay in a shocking upset last year.