Arnold Sports Festival 2018

Event Summaries
Arnold Sports Festival Event Summaries
March 1-4, 2018
IFBB Pro League:

Arnold Classic
Cedric McMillan will be back to defend his title at the 2018 Arnold Classic. McMillan, five-
time champion Dexter Jackson and 2014 champion Dennis Wolf lead a field of 15 of the
world’s best professional bodybuilders who will take the stage in Columbus for the 30th
Annual Arnold Classic.

Arnold Classic 212

2017 runner-up David Henry and 2015 champion Jose Raymond headline a field of the seven.
Henry and Raymond, third in Columbus a year ago, will be challenged by Gaetano Cisternino
Jr., fourth here in 2017.

Arnold Classic Physique *NEW*

2017 Olympia Champion Breon Ansley headlines this exciting inaugural event. Arash
Rahbar and Danny Hester who finished 4th and 5th at the 2017 Olympia will also be in
contention.

Arnold Men’s Physique

2017 runner-up Brandon Hendrickson leads the field of 31. Also challenging will be Andre
Ferguson and George Brown who finished 3rd and 4th in 2017 respectively.

Arnold Classic Pro Wheelchair

Two-time champion Harold “King Kong” Kelley, returns to defend his title in a field of 10 of
the most inspirational athletes in the world.

Fitness International
A new champion will be crowned with the retirement of four-time champion Oksana Grishina.
Most of the top competitors from 2017 return including runner-up Regiane Da Silva, third-
place finisher Whitney Jones and Bethany Wagner, who was fourth.

Figure International
Candice Lewis-Carter returns to defend her title against Cydney Gillon, the current Figure
Olympia winner who finished second here in 2017, and Heather Dees, who was sixth in
Columbus a year ago.

Bikini International
Angelica Teixeira will defend her title against challengers including 2017 third-place finisher
Jennifer Ronzitti and Janet Layug, who was fourth here a year ago.

Women’s Physique International

A new champion will be crowned as last year’s winner Daniely Castilho will not compete.
Kira Neuman 4th at last year’s Olympia leads the large field of competitors.

IFBB Meet & Greet

The Arnold IFBB Meet & Greet is a chance to get pictures and autographs of competitors from
all divisions of the IFBB Pro League. Thursday, March 1, 7pm, Bellows Ballroom, Hilton
Columbus, across from convention center.
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Feature Events:

Arnold Fitness EXPO

The nation’s largest health and fitness exposition will feature 1000 booths of the latest in sports
equipment, apparel and nutrition, and multiple stages that hosts unique competitions and
entertainment that make the Arnold Fitness EXPO the heart of the Arnold Sports Festival.

Arnold SportsWorld Kids & Teens EXPO: At the Ohio Expo Center!
Interactive sports demonstrations, activities, a stage with non-stop entertainment and more than
200 vendors. Highlights a wide variety of sports and events that will be held at the Ohio Expo
Center. Featured events include the Arnold’s Quest For Talent! and the Arnold Miss Teen
Fitness Pageant. Children 14 and under are admitted FREE.

Arnold Party with the Pros

The Official After-Party of the Arnold Classic! Hosted at Express Live! On Neil Avenue, the
world’s top professionals in bodybuilding, physique, fitness, figure, bikini, strongman and other
sports celebrate deep into the night. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger will also make a special
appearance. Saturday, March 3, doors open at 9pm.

Arnold Sunday Showcase

Arnold Sunday Showcase & Coffee With The Champions starts at 9:30a.m. with coffee with
the previous champions followed by a special panel discussion for the 30th Anniversary. At
11a.m. enjoy a full hour with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger in an open Q & A setting where
he will discuss topics ranging from bodybuilding, politics, movies and answer questions from
the audience. At noon see the inaugural This Is Fitness Demo which features the leading
fitness stars from the IFBB Pro League.

Amateur Events:

Arnold Amateur IFBB Championships

Arnold Amateur IFBB Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini & Physique Championship events
have earned their reputation as the quickest route from little-known amateur to rising star. 600+
amateurs from more than 70 countries will compete. New for 2018 is the “Classic Physique”
division.

Arnold Amateur Strongman and Strongwoman

Features more than 80 of the world’s top male amateur strongman athletes and over 100 of the
top female amateur strength athletes from more than 25 countries.

Amateur Boxing
The Arnold USA Boxing Invitational Championships expects hundreds of hungry amateur
boxers. Boxing legends and champions will also make appearances. This event has been moved
back to the Greater Columbus Convention Center for 2018.

Amateur MMA Festival

The ninth-annual Amateur MMA Festival presented by Title Boxing Club will feature three
professional bouts and 12 amateur bouts. Full card announced soon.

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Combat Sports:

Arnold Martial Arts Festival

With more than 3,000 men, women, and youth expected to compete in 20 martial arts
disciplines, the 23rd Annual Arnold Martial Arts Festival is the largest martial arts event in the
Midwest. Many masters and champions will attend.

Alliance MMA *NEW*

Alliance MMA is the USA’s largest regional promoter of mixed martial arts events. See the
MMA stars of tomorrow today! Saturday March 3, Convention Center.

Professional Boxing
Title Boxing Club presents Arnold Championship Boxing with an exciting night of action-
packed professional boxing bouts at the Hollywood Casino Columbus. Main Event is WBC
Continental Champion Yuandale Evans (USA) 20-1 vs. Enrique Tinoco (Mexico) 16-3-1 with
12 knockouts, 12 rounds.

Guns and Hoses Boxing

The fourth-annual event presented by Title Boxing will be held at the Hollywood Casino
Columbus. The evening will feature amateur boxing matches pitting police officers and
firefighters from around Ohio in a “Battle of the Bravest.”

Terminator Fight Series *NEW*

A one-night, Toughman Contest-style tournament. Each bout consists of one two-minute round.
The loser is eliminated, and the winner advances until one person remains.

Seminars and Workshops:

MMA Workshop
A one-of-a-kind event where you can meet and listen to Randy Couture, Mike Gillette and
Jon Bruney talk about a variety of subjects.

Performance Education Forum *NEW*

The Arnold Sports Festival has teamed up with one of the premier sport research and training
companies in the world, Dominate Your Game!, to bring you The Arnold Performance
Education Forum. Learn from top speakers about strength, conditioning, sports nutrition,
rehabilitation, and more.

Regenerative Medicine Conference *NEW*

“Recovery, Regeneration, and The Athlete” is a unique program with lecture topics including
treatments for athletes, managing expectations, coordination of care, career-ending injuries, and
more.

Strength Events:

5K Pump & Run (and 5K Run)

The Arnold 5K Pump & Run is the largest race of its kind in the US, and tests overall fitness by
measuring strength and endurance. 1,000 participants will bench press a percentage of their
body weight, with each rep subtracting 30 seconds from the athlete’s finish time. There is also a
stand-alone 5K Run.
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Armwrestling
For the 21st year, the world’s best arm sports athletes will test who has the most pull in the
Arnold Classic Armwrestling Challenge on the EXPO stage. More than 268 competitors from
13 countries will compete.

Arnold Strongman Classic

Two-time winner Brian Shaw and Hafthor Bjornsson (Game of Thrones) lead the field of 10.
Events include: Bag Over Bar, The Stone Shoulder, Apollon's Wheel, ROGUE Elephant Bar
Deadlift, and Timber Carry.

Arnold Pro Strongwoman

The 2nd annual event features 10 of the world’s strongest Pro Strongwomen competing for cash
prizes and the Katie Sandwina Trophy.

ROGUE Record Breakers

Athletes attempt feats of strength that qualify for and will be recognized by the Guinness World
Records. In 2018, at least four records will be challenged, with $5,000 awarded to record-
breakers. This is the 4th year for this event.

CrossFit Endeavor:
More than 400 athletes will compete for thousands of dollars in events such as the Barbells 4
Boobs Charity Event, Arnold Classic Scramble, Affiliate Gathering CrossFit Open, 6 Person
Co-ed Competition, and the 4 Person Same-Sex Competition.

MAS Wrestling
2018 IMWF MAS Wrestling World Absolute Championship presented by Rogue
Fitness features 50 of the world’s best MAS wrestlers. MAS Wrestling is an ancient Russian
sport where two wrestlers sit opposite each other and try to pull the stick out of their
opponent’s hands or drag their opponent over the wooden divider.

POWERX
POWERX combines muscular endurance and explosive strength. Athletes get one chance to
perform the Power Clean, the Bench Press and the Deadlift for up to 20 repetitions or three
minutes. Scores are calculated by multiplying the reps performed by the weight on the bar in
each of the three lifts, then totaled.

Scottish Highland Games

The Indoor Scottish Highland Games includes four divisions including Pro Men, Master’s Men,
Amateur Men and Amateur Women. Events include: Sheaf Toss, Weight Over Bar, Heavy
Weight for Distance, Open Stone, Pole Push and Caber Toss.

Ultimate Teen Challenge

Active teens from around the country participate in this fun and exciting challenge. Athletes
compete in individual strength, agility and speed competitions for chances to win achievement
awards and scholarships.

USA Powerlifting
Arnold USA Powerlifting Championships return for the 11th year and will feature more than
200 men and women vying for $42,000 in prizes. Powerlifting consists of three lifts: squat,
bench press, and deadlift
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Weightlifting
The now four-day Arnold Weightlifting Championships will host the first stop of USA
Weightlifting’s 2018 Nike American Open Series, the second time a National event for
weightlifting will be held at the Arnold.

XPC Powerlifting
Now in its 6th year, this invitational event with cash prizes will take place at the Ohio Expo
Center’s Rhodes Center. XPC Powerlifters will compete in bench press, squat and deadlift, in
either multi-ply equipment, or raw (no special equipment or suits). Other single events will be
on the ROGUE Strength Stage at the Arnold Fitness EXPO at the Greater Columbus
Convention Center.

Sports & Events:

50+ DanceSport
The 9th Arnold 50+ DanceSport Challenge, at the Sheraton Capitol Square, will feature
competitions exclusively for dancers age 50 and better. There are competitions in all levels and
styles, including pro/am and am/am, solos, formations and multi-dance events.

Archery
The Ohio NASP/IBO 3D Challenge will be Friday and Saturday, March 2-3 at the Ohio Expo
Center in the Lausche Building. Ohio NASP features school-age archery teams from across
Ohio, more than 500 archers are expected to compete.

Arnold Quest For Talent

The Quest For Talent continues at the Arnold SportsWorld Kids and Teens Expo, as judges
look for that special singer, dancer, artist, magician, musician, you name it! Prizes include a
$2,500 scholarship, lunch with Arnold, a new tablet, and more.

Art at the Arnold

Artists will put their artistic talents to work during the 9th Annual Art at the Arnold. Over the
course of the weekend, artists will use various media such as paints, charcoal, and pencils to
portray athletes from dozens of sports that range from archery to weightlifting. There will be a
judged contest on Sunday followed by an art show.

Axe Throwing *NEW*

New for 2018 is the first-ever WATL Arnold Classic Championship competition. The open-to
all-comers event has qualifying Saturday, with the best 16 high scores competing for the title at
noon on Sunday. Interested in trying for free? Stop by during Expo hours.

Baton Twirling: At the Ohio Expo Center!

More than 100 girls and boys ages 2-25 will amaze onlookers with their energetic and roof-
reaching routines during the 3rd Arnold Baton Twirling Championships.

Body Painting *NEW*

Bodypaint artists from around the globe will compete in Jan Tana’s Bodypainting Revolution,
an international competition with $5000 in prizes. These professional artists include former and
reigning world champions, international title-holders, North American champions and artists
featured on the reality TV show, Skin Wars. The Finals will take place on stage Saturday night
during the Arnold Classic.
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Cheerleading & Dance: At the Ohio Expo Center!

Over 4,000 competitors will turn up the volume and display amazing athletic grace and skill at
the Arnold Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championships. Events include stunt
teams, all-star teams, school, college, recreation, and special needs teams.

Chess
The Arnold Schwarzenegger Open is a United States Chess Federation sanctioned tournament
open to all with cash prizes. A speed chess Blitz tournament will also be played for cash prizes.

Dance Fitness and Yoga

This fun and fit event allows all comers to participate in workouts led by many renowned
fitness coaches. There will also be a Fashion Show by Bend Active. New for 2018 is a Yoga
exhibition with an audience photography competition for prizes. All classes and events will be
at the Short North Ballroom at the convention center.

Disc Golf
The 4th Arnold Disc Open hosted by Columbus Disc Flyers Club is a two-day event that
features two rounds of 18 holes, with one round held each day at the Walnut Hill Disc Golf
Course. Field competitions in distance, accuracy and putting also are offered. New for 2018 is
the Arnold Disc Open 2018 Junior Championship featuring 12 divisions for children 6 and
under through 18 and under.

Equestrian *NEW*
Arnold Equestrian will feature competitions for riders grades 6-12 on Saturday, March 3 and
for college-aged riders on Sunday, March 4 at The Ohio Expo Center Coliseum.

Fencing
The 15th Arnold Fencing Classic will host 46 events on 27 fencing strips, for three days of fast
action with the three Olympic weapons - foil, epee, and sabre as well as newly-added
longsword and rapier divisions. Columbus Rotary will be presenting a $2,500 College
Scholarship to the top youth competitor in the Arnold Fencing Classic.

Grappling
Grappling Industries Arnold Classic takes place on Saturday March 3 in the Union Station
Ballroom at the convention center. This event is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Wrestling
tournament, featuring many divisions from child to adult.

Gymnastics: At the Ohio EXPO Center!

The 18th Arnold Gymnastics Challenge will welcome more than 3,000 competitors from across
the country. This is one of the largest mixed gymnastics meet in the nation, featuring both girls
and boys.

Handball Showcase
The Arnold Handball Showcase will return for 2018 at two new locations. Games will be held
on Saturday, March 3 at the Bill McDonald Athletic Complex and on Sunday, March 4 at the
Cleo Dumaree Athletic Complex.

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Indoor Triathalon, Duathalon, Ergathalon & Kids Splash and Dash *NEW*
Individual competitors or relay teams of 3 will swim 600 meters in a pool, bike 10 miles on a
stationary spinning bike, then run 5 kilometers on Columbus streets. New for 2018 are three
kids divisions involving a swim and a run. At Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club.

Jump Rope
The Arnold Speed and Power Jump Rope Championship will feature competitions in single
rope speed, pairs double under, speed double dutch and double dutch speed relay. There will
also be a AMJRF qualifying event at the Arnold. Demonstrations and workshops will be held at
both the Greater Columbus Convention Center and the Arnold SportsWorld Kids and Teens
Expo at the Ohio Expo Center.

Krazy Martial Athletics: At the Ohio EXPO Center!

Open to all styles, this fun martial arts tournament is open to kids, teens, and adults, male and
female. Competitions include an obstacle course, fitness challenge, and more.

Miss Arnold Teen Fitness Pageant: At the Ohio EXPO Center!

The Arnold Sports Festival is proud to welcome back the 3rd Annual Miss Arnold Teen Fitness
Pageant, designed to promote fit and healthy lifestyles in today’s youth.

Model Search
The 2018 Arnold Model Search will be held on stage, Thursday, March 1 at Battelle Grand at
the conclusion of the Ladies Day at the Arnold Amateur.

Pickleball *NEW*
The Arnold Pickleball Smash Classic will be held Sunday March 4 at the Lausche Building at
The Ohio Expo Center. The one-day tournament will feature events at various skill levels for
women’s doubles, men’s doubles, and mixed doubles.

Pole Fitness
The sport of Pole Fitness will return to the Arnold Sports Festival with two competitions
including the 5th PCS Championship (pro) and the 4th PCS Pole Open (amateur) at the Greater
Columbus Convention Center.

Racquetball *NEW*
The Arnold Racquetball Tournament, at Premier at Sawmill Athletic Club, gives you the
chance to be a part of one of the largest sporting events in the world. Winners in every category
will be entered into a drawing to win one of two tickets to meet Arnold.

Rowing (indoor)
The 4th Annual Arnold Indoor Rowing Challenge includes Adaptive, Youth, Collegiate,
Masters, and Open events with lightweight and heavyweight divisions for men and
women. The regatta, at the Convention Center, will feature 500m, 1000m and 2000m events,
with relays at the end of the day.

Soccer
The 4th Arnold 3v3 Soccer Cup will again be held at Bo Jackson's Elite Sports in Hilliard. The
tournament features teams ages U6 through adult. The top four teams in each division qualify
for the Challenge Sports 3v3 National Championship in Orlando, FL.
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Spartan Race *NEW*

One of the fastest growing sports in the world, Spartan Race leads the charge in Obstacle
Course Racing. They will be set up in two spots this year for everyone to try - the traditional
kids course in the paddock at the Kids Expo and a new adult course set up at the Convention
Center.

Swimming
The Nation’s best Master’s Swimmers will be at the New Albany High School Natatorium for
the 5th Annual Arnold Swimming Championships. Nearly 100 swimmers from across the
Nation will be competing in 19 different events.

Table Tennis: At the Ohio EXPO Center!

The 15th Annual Arnold Table Tennis Challenge will feature Youth, Adult, Recreational and
Senior Olympic divisions, as well as USA Table Tennis and Ohio State Championships.
Games will be played on 60+ tables on 70,000 square feet under world class lighting.

UMG Gaming *NEW*

New for 2018, UMG Gaming will be offering a series of small and large eSports competitions
on games like Madden 18 and NBA 2K18. These tournaments, at the Convention Center, will
be open to all and offer cash prizes.

Youth DanceSport
The Arnold Youth DanceSport Classic is an experience in elegance. 1,200 of the nation’s best
youth through collegiate DanceSport athletes glide with grace in elaborate costumes as they
compete for top scholarship prizes at the Convention Center.

Major awards:

Lifetime Achievement Award – Dr. Bob Goldman

Arnold Sports Festival promoters Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and James J. Lorimer present a
Lifetime Achievement Award to an individual who has made notable contributions to the
fitness industry and offered a lifetime of service to the enhancement of sports performance and
promotion. They are proud to announce that the 2018 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is
Dr. Bob Goldman.

Goldman founded the International Sports Hall of Fame in 2012 with Arnold Sports Festival
co-founders Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer among the inaugural class. Induction ceremonies
are held each year at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. “This is without question
the most prestigious honor that I will have received in my lifetime,” Goldman said. “To be on
the same stage as my personal heroes and mentors in Arnold and Jim Lorimer and to receive
the same honor as Ben & Joe Weider, Jack LaLanne, Reg Park and so many others is such a
tremendous honor. It’s the pinnacle!”

Outside the Ring Award – TBA

The Arnold USA Boxing Invitational Championships annually presents the Outside the Ring
Award to an individual recognized for ongoing contributions both in and outside the ring

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Legends of Martial Arts Hall of Honor Induction - TBA

The Arnold Battle of Columbus Martial Arts Festival recognizes the extraordinary martial arts
pioneers and their successors for their lifetime dedication to the development of the world of
Martial Arts for Truth, Goodness, and Beauty with the Legends of Martial Arts Hall of Honor
Induction Ceremony. This Honor is intended to recognize those martial artists and supporters
who have dedicated their spirit to the study and betterment of martial arts and their
communities as a whole. The Induction Ceremony will take place on Friday, March 3, and
inducted Legends will also be recognized on Saturday, March 4, during the Martial Arts
Festival opening ceremonies.

Scholarships
The Arnold Sports Festival in partnership with the Columbus Rotary will award ten $2,500
college scholarships to youth participants. To date, more than $158,000 in college scholarships
have been awarded since the program began in 2006.

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Story Ideas
Arnold Sports Festival - Story Ideas

1. Overall: with 78 sports and events and 22,000 participants, most of whom are youth, the Arnold
Sports Festival is helping motivate people of all ages to be fit.

2. The Arnold SportsWorld Kids & Teens EXPO, in the Bricker Building at the Ohio Expo Center
is a fun-filled two-day celebration of sports and fitness featuring more than 20 different sports for
kids & teens to try lead by area sports teams. 200 booths, fun zone and a main stage with
competitions and entertainment including the Miss Arnold Teen Fitness Pageant and the Arnold’s
Quest For Talent! Competition.

3. Ohio Expo Center - in addition to the Arnold SportsWorld Kids & Teens Fitness EXPO, a variety
of sports will be held in nine buildings including archery, baton twirling, cheerleading & dance,
equestrian, gymnastics, martial arts, pickleball, table tennis, XPC Powerlifting and POWER X.

4. Arnold Fitness EXPO: features more than 1000 booths of the latest in sports equipment, apparel
and nutrition and four stages that hosts unique, non-stop competitions and entertainment. It’s
become the nation’s largest health and fitness exposition, annually showcasing leading businesses
and organizations displaying the latest trends in the fitness industry.

5. Arnold Worldwide: The Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus has athletes competing from 80
different countries. Also, The Arnold franchise has grown to include events on six continents with
events in Madrid, Spain; Rio de Janeiro, Brasil; Melbourne, Australia; Johannesburg, South Africa;
and Seoul, South Korea.

6. New events in 2018: Alliance MMA, axe throwing, body painting, Classic Physique (professional and
amateur), equestrian, kid’s splash & dash, pickleball, racquetball, Terminator Fight Series, and UMG
Gaming.

7. Arnold Classic: One of the most prestigious titles in professional bodybuilding celebrates its 30th
Anniversary. Cedric McMillan, who won the 2017 Arnold Classic is one of three former Arnold
Classic champions who will do battle including five-time champion Dexter Jackson and 2014
champion Dennis Wolf.

8. Strongman: Three-time winner Brian Shaw and 2018 runner-up Hafthor Bjornsson (Game of
Thrones) lead the field of 10 of the strongest men on the planet. The two day contest of brute
strength includes five events: Bag Over Bar, Stone Shoulder, Apollon's Wheel, ROGUE Elephant
Bar Deadlift and Timber Carry.

9. International Sports Hall of Fame: 2018 inductees include: Ronda Rousey: mixed martial
artist, actress, WWE wrestler; Bas Rutten: mixed martial artist, kickboxer and actor; Terry & Jan
Todd: record setting powerlifters and founders the Stark Center for Physical Culture and Sports;
and Phil Keoghan: host of realty TV shows “The Amazing Race” and “No Opportunity Wasted”

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