The bodybuilding community finds itself fractured over two separate controversies emerging from recent competitions: a judging dispute at the 2026 Detroit Pro surrounding distended stomachs, and a backstage altercation involving Martin Fitzwater at the 2026 Arnold Classic that ultimately ended his career in the sport.
At the 2026 Detroit Pro, held March 14, Mohamed Foda claimed the Open division title, with Blessing Awodibu placing second and Elias McCall third. Podcast footage of the final callout drew sharp criticism from industry figures. Analyst Milos Sarcev pointed to Foda’s waist control issues, while Dennis James noted competitors using positioning techniques to conceal stomach bulges from judges.
Mohamed Foda won the 2026 Detroit Pro, but judges faced accusations of overlooking serious waist control issues among top competitors.
The controversy reignited long-standing debate over distended stomachs in competitive bodybuilding. Arnold Schwarzenegger has publicly called protruding stomachs unacceptable, and the phenomenon was absent throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. Rules penalizing the condition were introduced in the 1990s, and the Arnold Classic currently permits disqualification for distended stomachs. Sarcev has gone further, stating that competitors displaying distended stomachs should be disqualified from competition outright rather than simply penalized.
Experts attribute the condition to drug use, digestive problems, dehydration, and excessive carbohydrate loading during competition preparation.
Simultaneously, Martin Fitzwater became the center of a separate controversy following the 2026 Arnold Classic. Reports alleged he shoved Nick Walker backstage and verbally confronted him, claims Nick Walker confirmed. The on-stage behavior had already drawn attention before the backstage incident escalated concerns further.
The fallout was swift and significant. Raw Nutrition terminated its sponsorship, citing conflicts with core values, and Elevate followed. Fitzwater faced a massive income loss, with the sponsor departures also affecting his ability to participate in the Arnold Classic UK.
Shortly after, Fitzwater announced he was leaving bodybuilding entirely, stating his hatred for the sport and its fans. He responded dismissively to supporters who reached out and had previously demonstrated a pattern of lashing out on social media over personal struggles.
Community reactions remained divided. Some accused critics of cancel culture, while others demanded IFBB penalties. Supporters pointed to Fitzwater’s physique and emotional state, with others drawing comparisons to past incidents involving athletes like Kai Greene at high-pressure competitions.
