Joseph Baena had set himself a specific number before he ever walked out in El Segundo: top five. On Saturday 7 November, at the 2026 INBA PNBA Pro/Am World Cup, the 29-year-old finished fifth in the Classic Physique Open category on his professional debut.

It was only his third bodybuilding contest of any kind.

“The goal was actually to place top five, so I achieved the goal that I sought out for,” Baena said in an Instagram video reflecting on the competition, reported by Generation Iron, after the result at the El Segundo Performing Arts Center.

From Denver novice to pro stage in eight months

Baena began competing in March, winning three categories at the NPC Natural Colorado State Championships in Denver: Men’s Open Bodybuilding Heavyweight, Men’s Classic Physique True Novice and Men’s Classic Physique Novice.

Read also: Mekies won’t pick: Lawson’s 2027 seat is Racing Bulls’ call

A week later, on 4 April, he won the INBA Iron Gladiator in Corona, California, a result that earned him his professional card for the PNBA circuit. El Segundo was the first time he used it.

He did not hire a coach for the preparation. The guidance instead came from family, his girlfriend and, most visibly, his father, with the two previously spotted training together at Gold’s Gym in Venice Beach, the facility most associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s own competitive career. Baena has earlier described his father as “the best training partner,” a remark cited by Reality Tea in its coverage of the debut.

Already looking at the next card

Baena has identified arms, hamstrings and glutes as the areas he plans to work on before his next appearance. No date for his next show has been announced.

Read also: Hansi Flick breaks Barcelona record that even Pep Guardiola could not match Kopiér