Joseph Baena, the 29-year-old son of Arnold Schwarzenegger, placed fifth in the Classic Physique Open category at the INBA PNBA Pro/Am World Cup on Friday, November 7, in El Segundo, California.
The event, held at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center, marked Baena’s professional debut within the Professional Natural Bodybuilding Association (PNBA), according to reports from Yahoo News and Page Six.
Baena, who has been competing since March, shared footage of his posing routine on Instagram, set to music from the 1966 film The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
This performance represents only the third time Baena has competed in a bodybuilding show. He previously found success in the spring, winning first place in multiple categories at the NPC Natural Colorado State competition, including the Men’s Open Bodybuilding Heavy Weight Class, Men’s Classic Physique True Novice, and Men’s Classic Physique Novice.
Following that success, he secured first place at the International Natural Bodybuilding Association’s (INBA) Iron Gladiator competition in Corona, California. Yahoo News reported that Baena noted he appeared to be in better physical condition for this professional debut than he was for his second competition held in April.
In a video shared on Instagram on Sunday, November 8, Baena expressed his reaction to the result.
“I’m extremely proud of myself,” Baena said. “I achieved the goal I sought out for. I know what I need to improve. I know what it takes to get better now.”
Baena also noted that he trained without a coach, though he acknowledged receiving guidance and cited his father as “the best training partner.”
The connection between Baena and his father, 79-year-old Arnold Schwarzenegger, is central to his entry into the sport. Schwarzenegger is a legendary figure in the industry, having won seven Mr. Olympia titles and five Mr. Universe titles during his career.
In an interview with GQ, as reported by Yahoo News, Baena explained that his interest in weightlifting began in college after his father gave him a bodybuilding encyclopedia. He told the outlet that reading the book led to a passion for training and nutrition.
The pair have been seen training together at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, California. In March, Baena posted photos of their training sessions on Instagram with the caption, “You have to shock the muscles!”
While the professional pursuit mirrors his father’s athletic history, the family dynamics surrounding Baena remain complex. Page Six reported that while Schwarzenegger and Baena are “very close,” there has been tension between Baena and his half-siblings.
Baena is the son of Schwarzenegger and former housekeeper Mildred Baena. Schwarzenegger has four other children with his ex-wife, Maria Shriver: Patrick, 33, Christopher, 29, Katherine, 36, and Christina, 35. According to a source cited by Page Six in May 2023, the children from Schwarzenegger’s marriage to Shriver have not maintained a close relationship with their half-brother.
The professional competition in El Segundo serves as a milestone in a career that has moved from novice categories to the professional stage in less than a year.
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