Arnold Schwarzenegger's son, Joe Baena, has yet to make his competitive bodybuilding debut, but he has been carrying his father's legacy forward for years by honoring the specially abled champions.

In 2024, when Hadi Choopan got most of the spotlight at the Arnold Classic UK after winning the Men's open title, the Italian IFBB Pro Wheelchair Bodybuilder, Gabriele Andriulli, also displayed tremendous prowess to become the champion in the wheelchair division that year.

While Schwarzenegger hands the prizes to most champions himself, Baena filled his father's shoes by presenting the prizes to Andriulli and the first-runner up in the wheelchair division. Baena, who shared an Instagram post congratulating the winner.

He said, “Had the honor and privilege to hand out the 1st place prize for the @wheelchairbodybuilding competition at the @arnoldexpouk. What an inspiring group! Congratulations to the winner @gabriele_andriulli_ifbb_pro for his incredible physique. You are a CHAMPION!”

Gabriele Andriulli, a 3-time Arnold Classic champion, competed 20 times as a bodybuilder before his car accident in 2010. In that accident, his spinal cord was injured, but he did not lose his passion for bodybuilding.

Though the Italian bodybuilder was not seen in the Arnold Classic previous year, he is putting in every drop of his sweat to prepare for for Mr. Olympia 2026. While Andriulli is preparing for Mr. Olympia, Baena also recently announced a big move.

So, while it's apparent that Beana has been filling in his father's shoes from the last few years, he made a massive announcement recently that can serve Schwarzenegger's legacy in the best way possible.

Joe Baena Is About to Enter the Sport That His Father Once Ruled

Besides appearing in movies, Baena, 28, also impresses his fans with his buffed pysique which resembles Schwarzenegger's prime build in various ways. And, it seems he has decided that he will now trace The Austrian Oak's footsteps in bodybuilding.

On March 15, Baena took to his Instagram account and announced that he is ready to compete as a bodybuilder, along with sharing a video of posing. The caption to his post read, “Stage debut loading…."

Well, he may have refrained from disclosing when and in which event he is looking to make his debut, but his Schwarzenegger-like physique got several fans believing that he would also make it big in the sport like his father.

So, in which event are you expecting Baena to take to the stage and flex for the first time? Also, do you think he will be able to match Schwarzenegger's level of success in the sport?

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Written by

Supradeep Dutta

Edited by

Souvik Roy