Surf Wiki
Save to docs
sports

From Surf Wiki (app.surf) — the open knowledge base

Arnold Sports Festival

IFBB Pro annual multi-sport event

Summary

IFBB Pro annual multi-sport event

FieldValue
titleArnold Sports Festival
logoArnclassic.jpg
captionThe official logo of the Arnold Sports Festival
countryUnited States
venueGreater Columbus Convention Center, Columbus, Ohio
founded
tournament_formatMulti-event competition
championUSA Derek Lunsford
champ_season2025
websitearnoldsports.com

The IFBB Pro Arnold Sports Festival, also known as the Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival, is an annual multi-sport event consisting of professional bodybuilding (Arnold Classic), strongman (Arnold Strongman Classic), armlifting, fitness, figure, bikini and several others as a weekend expo. It was established in 1989 and is named after Arnold Schwarzenegger. The main event is held annually around late February or early March in Columbus, Ohio, by the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness Professional League (IFBB Pro League). It is considered the second-most-prestigious event in professional men's bodybuilding, physique, figure and bikini after Joe Weider's Olympia. When the Ms. International competition was hosted, until 2013, it was the second-most-prestigious event in professional female bodybuilding (after Ms. Olympia).

History

A lucrative sports competition, the ASF offers a number of large prizes. Most notably, first prize in bodybuilding consists of a $130,000 check, a Hummer vehicle, and an Audemars Piguet watch. Since the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding title pre-dates and offers higher prize money than the ASF, a rivalry in prestige and popularity has sprung up. The ASF is always hotly contested, often with one or two competition points separating the winners.

All-star cheerleading competitions span a two-day period (usually all day Saturday, and to midday Sunday). More than 4,000 competitors entered the cheerleading event in 2014. Each team (of 15–30 cheerleaders) prepares to perform a two and one-half minute routine. After the teams' routines are complete, they are scored by a panel of judges, each judge being an expert on one area of cheerleading (jumps, tumbling, stunting, etc.). Once scoring is complete, every team entered in the competition is called to the mat for awards, during which each team has a chance of winning multiple times. The ASF's awards consist of the following: National Champion jackets, trophies for every team, custom medals, limited edition patches and Grand Champion banners, and possible partial or full paid bid to Cheerleading World contests.

On June 7, 2013, the ASF's event promoter, Jim Lorimer, announced that from 2014 on, the ASF's "212" (a professional, men's bodybuilding division) would permanently replace the Ms. International women's bodybuilding competition. Lorimer, in a statement, said "The Arnold Sports Festival was proud to support women's bodybuilding through the Ms. International for the past quarter century, but in keeping with demands of our fans, the time has come to introduce the Arnold Classic 212 beginning in 2014. We are excited to create a professional competitive platform for some of the IFBB Pro League's most popular competitors."

On March 3, 2020 Ohio governor Mike DeWine cancelled most of the Arnold Sports Festival due to the oncoming COVID-19 pandemic in Ohio, before any cases or deaths had been reported. The cancellation was widely regarded as 'radical' at the time.

Curiosities

  • Arnold Classic Ohio is the largest multi-sport championship in the world, ahead of even the Olympics.
    • There are around 20,000 athletes from more than 80 countries competing in 60 sports, while the 2024 Olympic Games brought almost 11,000 athletes in 32 sports and 48 disciplines. The Arnold is second only to the number of countries: 206 at the Olympics.
  • The event also promotes several amateur sports for fans to learn about and practice.
  • The Arnold Classic Ohio is the second most prestigious event in professional bodybuilding, behind only the Mr. Olympia.
  • Jim Lorimer, who founded the Arnold Classic with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1989, was a special agent for the FBI.
  • Like Arnold, Lorimer ventured into politics, becoming mayor of Worthington, Ohio.
  • The biggest Arnold Classic Ohio champion is a woman, Iris Kyle (USA), with 7 titles (she is also the biggest Mr. Olympia winner, with 11 titles). Among men, Dexter Jackson (USA) is the biggest winner with 5 titles.

Champions

YearArnold ClassicMs. InternationalFitness InternationalFigure InternationalBikini International212Women's PhysiqueMen's PhysiqueClassic PhysiqueOverallBest PoserMost MuscularFan's Choice AwardMost Entertaining RoutineOverallHeavyweightLightweight
1989USA Rich Gaspari}}}}}}USA Jackie Paisley}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
1990USA Mike AshleyCanada Laura Creavalle
1991USA Shawn RayUSA Tonya Knight
1992USA Vince TaylorGermany Anja Schreiner
1993USA Flex WheelerUSA Kim Chizevsky-Nicholls
1994USA Kevin LevroneCanada Laura CreavalleUSA Carol Semple-Marzetta
1995USA Mike Francois
1996USA Kevin LevroneUSA Kim Chizevsky-NichollsHungary Alexandra Béres
1997USA Flex WheelerUSA Yolanda Hughes-HeyingUSA Carol Semple-Marzetta
1998USA Susie Curry
1999Serbia and Montenegro Nasser El SonbatyUSA Vickie Gates
2000USA Flex WheelerUSA Vickie GatesUSA Brenda RaganotUSA Kelly Ryan
2001USA Ronnie ColemanCanada Dayana CadeauCanada Jenny Worth
2002USA Jay CutlerVenezuela Yaxeni Oriquen-GarciaVenezuela Yaxeni Oriquen-GarciaUkraine Valentina ChepigaUSA Susie Curry
2003Canada Cathy LeFrançoisUSA Jenny Lynn
2004USA Iris KyleUSA Iris KyleCanada Dayana CadeauUSA Adela Garcia-Friedmansky
2005USA Dexter JacksonVenezuela Yaxeni Oriquen-GarciaVenezuela Yaxeni Oriquen-GarciaUSA Brenda RaganotUSA Jen Hendershott
2006USA Iris KyleHeavyweight category not held.}}Lightweight category not held.}}USA Adela Garcia-FriedmanskyUSA Mary Lado
2007Dominican Republic Víctor MartínezUSA Kim Klein
2008USA Dexter JacksonVenezuela Yaxeni Oriquen-GarciaUSA Gina Aliotti
2009USA Kai GreeneUSA Kai GreeneUSA Branch WarrenUSA Iris KyleUSA Jen HendershottLithuania Živilė Raudonienė
2010USA Adela Garcia-FriedmanskyUSA Nicole Wilkins-Lee
2011USA Branch WarrenGermany Dennis WolfUSA Branch WarrenUSA Nicole Nagrani
2012Best Poser category not held.}}Fan's Choice Award category not held.}}USA Branch WarrenVEN Yaxeni Oriquen-GarciaUSA Sonia Gonzales
2013USA Dexter JacksonMost Muscular category not held.}}Most Entertaining Routine category not held.}}USA Iris KyleUSA Tanji JohnsonUSA Candice KeeneUSA India Paulino
2014Germany Dennis WolfMs. International category not held.}}Russia Oksana GrishinaUSA Ashley KaltwasserGBR James Lewis
2015USA Dexter JacksonUSA Camala Rodriguez-McClureUSA Jose RaymondBRA Juliana MalacarneBIH Sadik Hadzovic
2016USA Kai GreeneUSA Latorya WattsUSA India PaulinoJapan Hidetada YamagishiUSA Autumn SwansenUSA Brandon Hendrickson
2017USA Cedric McMillanUSA Candice Lewis-CarterBrazil Angelica TeixeiraKuwait Ahmad AshkananiBrazil Daniely CastilhoUK Ryan Terry
2018Netherlands William BonacUSA Fred SmallsCuraçao Roelly WinklaarUSA Whitney JonesLibya Kamal ElgargniUSA Shanique GrantUSA Andre FergusonUSA Breon Ansley
2019USA Brandon CurryAustralia Joshua LenartowiczNetherlands William BonacCanada Ryall GraberUSA Cydney GillonUSA Janet Layug212 category not held.}}USA Natalia Abraham CoelhoUSA George Peterson
2020Netherlands William BonacUSA Dexter JacksonEgypt Mamdouh ElssbiayUSA Missy TruscottMexico Natalia SolteroBrazil Elisa PeciniUSA Alex Cambronero
2021USA Nicholas WalkerUSA Iain ValliereUSA Steve KuckloFigure International category not held.}}Canada Jennifer DorieWomen's Physique category not held.}}Men's Physique category not held.}}USA Terrence Ruffin
2022USA Brandon CurryUSA Brandon CurryNetherlands William BonacUSA Ariel KhadrUSA Cydney GillonCanada Lauralie ChapadosUSA Erin Banks
2023UK Samson DaudaFrance Andrew JackedUS Nick WalkerUSA Ariel KhadrBR Ramón Rocha Queiroz
2024Iran Hadi ChoopanUK Samson DaudaBrazil Rafael BrandãoNED Wesley Vissers
2025USA Derek LunsfordUK Samson DaudaFrance Andrew JackedGermany Mike Sommerfeld

Arnold Classic International

Arnold Classic branding is also used for:

  • Arnold Classic Europe in Spain (since 2011)
  • Arnold Classic South America in Brazil (since 2013)
  • Arnold Classic Australia in Australia (since 2015)
  • Arnold Classic Africa in South Africa (since 2016)
  • Arnold Classic Asia in Hong Kong (only 2016)
  • Arnold Classic UK in England (since 2021)
  • Arnold Classic Russia in Russia

Winners

YearEuropeSouth AmericaAustraliaAfricaAsiaUK
2011Dominican Republic Victor MartinezEvent not held.}}Event not held.}}Event not held.}}Event not held.}}Event not held.}}
2012Jamaica Shawn Rhoden
2013USA Phil HeathUSA Brandon Curry
2014Germany Dennis WolfUSA Steve Kuclo
2015USA Dexter JacksonEgypt Mamdouh ElssbiayUSA Dexter Jackson
2016USA Dexter JacksonUSA Kai GreeneUSA Kai GreeneUSA Dexter JacksonUSA Justin Compton
2017Egypt Mamdouh ElssbiayCzech Republic Lukas OsladilUSA Brandon CurryUSA Johnnie O. JacksonEvent not held.}}
2018Slovakia Michal KrizanekBrazil Marcelo da CruzCuraçao Roelly WinklaarCzech Republic Tomas Kaspar
2019Slovakia Michal KrizanekUSA Juan MorelNetherlands William BonacSlovakia Michal Krizanek
2020Event not held.}}
2021Slovakia Michal KrizanekUK Nathan De Asha

References

References

  1. Greater Columbus Convention Center. "2013 Arnold Cheerleading & Dance Championships". Arnoldsportsfestival.com.
  2. (June 7, 2013). "Ms. International Dropped from 2014 Arnold Sports Festival". Hard Body News.
  3. (April 1, 2020). "The US governor who saw it coming early".
  4. Barrett, Joe. (2020-03-29). "Ohio Governor on Why He Ordered Early, Tough Coronavirus Lockdowns". Wall Street Journal.
  5. (2025-02-26). "Arnold Classic Ohio [2025]: história, categorias, curiosidades e todos os campeões - Esportelândia".
  6. "2018 Arnold Classic USA Scorecards".
  7. "2019 Arnold Classic USA Scorecards".
  8. "2020 Arnold Classic USA Scorecards".
  9. [https://contests.npcnewsonline.com/contests/2021/arnold_sports_festival]
  10. (5 March 2022). "2022 Arnold Classic USA Scorecards | IFBB PRO".
  11. (5 March 2023). "2023 Arnold Classic USA Scorecards".
  12. (3 March 2024). "2024 Arnold Classic USA Scorecards".
  13. (1 March 2025). "2025 Arnold Classic USA Scorecards".
  14. (23 October 2017). "2018 Arnold Classic Worldwide Features Festivals On Five Continents".
  15. (4 March 2016). "Schwarzenegger sports fests now in Africa, Asia for 6 total". AP Online.
  16. "Arnold Classic Europe".
  17. "Arnold Classic South America".
  18. "Arnold Classic Australia".
  19. "Arnold Classic Africa".
  20. "Arnold Classic Asia".
  21. "2011 Arnold Classic Europe Scorecards".
  22. "2012 Arnold Classic Europe Scorecards".
  23. "2013 Arnold Classic Europe Scorecards".
  24. "2013 Arnold Classic Brazil Scorecards".
  25. "2014 Arnold Classic Europe Scorecards".
  26. "2014 Arnold Classic Brazil Scorecards".
  27. "2015 Arnold Classic Europe Scorecards".
  28. "2015 Arnold Classic Brasil Scorecards".
  29. "2015 Arnold Classic Australia Scorecards".
  30. "2016 Arnold Classic Europe Scorecards".
  31. "2016 Arnold Classic Brasil Scorecard".
  32. "2016 Arnold Classic Australia Scorecards".
  33. "2016 Arnold Classic South Africa Scorecards".
  34. "2016 Arnold Classic Asia Scorecards".
  35. "2017 Arnold Classic Europe Scorecards".
  36. "2017 Arnold Classic South America Scorecards".
  37. "2017 Arnold Classic Australia Scorecards".
  38. "2017 Arnold Classic South Africa Scorecards".
  39. "2018 Arnold Classic Europe Elite Pro Results".
  40. "2018 Arnold Classic South America Elite Pro Results".
  41. "2018 Arnold Classic Australia Scorecards".
  42. "2018 Arnold Classic South Africa Elite Pro Results".
  43. "2019 Arnold Classic Europe Elite Pro Results".
  44. "2019 Arnold Classic South America Scorecards".
  45. "2019 Arnold Classic Australia Scorecards".
  46. "2019 Arnold Classic South Africa Elite Pro Results".
  47. "2021 Arnold Classic Europe Elite Pro Results".
  48. "2021 Arnold Classic UK Results".
Wikipedia Source

This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page.

1989-establishments-in-ohio arnold-schwarzenegger cheerleading-competitions multi-sport-events-in-the-united-states professional-bodybuilding-competitions female-professional-bodybuilding-competitions recurring-sporting-events-established-in-1989 sports-in-columbus,-ohio sports-festivals-in-the-united-states
Want to explore this topic further?

Ask Mako anything about Arnold Sports Festival — get instant answers, deeper analysis, and related topics.

Research with Mako

Free with your Surf account

Content sourced from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This content may have been generated or modified by AI. CloudSurf Software LLC is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of AI-generated content. Always verify important information from primary sources.

Report