FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Arnold Sports Festival will add the 212-pound professional men’s bodybuilding division to its IFBB Pro League contests in 2014, event promoter Jim Lorimer announced today.

The men’s bodybuilding lightweight division has become one of the IFBB Pro League’s most popular since being introduced in 2008 as the 202-pound division. The allowed weight was increased to 212 pounds effective November 2011.

The first-annual Arnold Classic 212 will be held Feb. 28, 2014. Prejudging will be held from noon-2 p.m. at the Arnold Fitness EXPO Stage, with finals sets for 7 p.m. that night at Veterans
Memorial.

The Arnold Classic 212 will replace the Ms. International women’s bodybuilding competition at the Arnold Sports Festival. The Ms. International was part of the Arnold Sports Festival for 25 years, with Iris Kyle winning her record seventh title in 2013.

“The Arnold Sports Festival was proud to support women’s bodybuilding through the Ms. International for the past quarter century,” Lorimer said. “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.”

The 2014 Arnold Sports Festival will again feature five IFBB Pro League events: men’s bodybuilding, 212 men’s bodybuilding, women’s fitness, figure and bikini.

The 2014 Arnold Sports Festival – which will once again feature 18,000 athletes from more than 80 nations competing in 45 sports and events – will be held Feb. 27-March 2, 2014. Arnold Classic 212, Fitness International and Figure International competitions will be held on Friday, Feb. 28 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Veterans Memorial. The 26th Annual Arnold Classic and Bikini International will be held on Saturday, March 1 at Veterans Memorial.

The Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini & Physique Championships will be held March Feb. 27-28 at Veterans Memorial and March 1 at the Greater Columbus Convention
Center.

Visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com for more information. Tickets to all events will go on sale beginning at a later date at www.ticketmaster.com/arnold.

Media Contacts:
Arnold Sports Festival Lorz Communications, Inc.
Brent LaLonde, brent@arnoldexpo.com, (614) 431-2600
Matt Lorz, mattlorz@rrcol.com, (614) 443-1877

Flex Wheeler, Jay Cutler, Kevin Levrone, Kai Greene Among Former Champions To Be Honored Inaugural Champion Rich Gaspari To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Arnold Classic will celebrate its 25th Anniversary during the 2013 Arnold Sports Festival by honoring all former past winners of the men’s professional bodybuilding championships named in honor of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, the sport’s greatest champion.

Four-time winner Flex Wheeler, three-time champion Jay Cutler and 2001 champ Ronnie Coleman will headline the former Arnold Classic champions who will return to the Veterans Memorial stage on Saturday, March 2. Also returning will be two-time winners Kevin Levrone, Kai Greene and Branch Warren, inaugural champion Rich Gaspari, and Mike Ashley, Shawn Ray, Vince Taylor, Michael Francois, Nasser El Sonbaty and Victor Martinez.

Rich Gaspari, who won the inaugural Arnold Classic in 1989, will be honored with the 2013 Lifetime Achievement Award during the 25th Anniversary Celebration.

Dexter Jackson, who won the Arnold Classic, in 2005, 2006 and 2008, will try to tie Wheeler’s record of four wins at the 2013 Arnold Classic. He is the only former champion in the 2013 field and will be making his 14th appearance in the Arnold Classic.

"We look forward to welcoming all of our great Arnold Classic champions back to Columbus for our 25th Anniversary," said Jim Lorimer, who co-founded the Arnold Classic with Schwarzenegger in 1989. "The Arnold Classic has grown over the years into one of our sport’s most prestigious events, and was the catalyst for the Arnold Sports Festival – the nation’s largest multi-sport festival."

Fourteen men have combined to win the previous 24 Arnold Classic titles. Wheeler (four), Cutler (three), Jackson (three), Levrone, Greene and Warren (two each) have accounted for 16 of the 24 titles.

In addition to appearing at the Arnold Classic on Saturday night, all previous Arnold champs will also attend the Arnold Champions & Legends Sunday Morning Showcase on Sunday, March 3 at the Hilton Columbus Downtown. Gov. Schwarzenegger and Arnold Classic, Ms. International, Fitness International, Figure International and Bikini International champions crowned on the weekend will also attend. Bob Cicherello will moderate the program.

The Arnold Classic has grown over the years to include five IFBB Professional League Divisions. In addition the Arnold Classic (professional men’s bodybuilding) and the Ms. International (women’s professional bodybuilding), which also debuted in 1989, the Arnold Classic Weekend also features the Fitness International (founded in 1994), Figure International (2003) and the Bikini International (2011).

The 2013 Arnold Classic and Bikini International Prejudging and Finals will be held Saturday, March 2, 2013 at Veterans Memorial. Ms. International, Fitness International and Bikini International Prejudging and Finals will be held on Friday, March 1, 2013.

The Arnold Classic is the premier event of the Arnold Sports Festival, held annually the first weekend in March in Columbus, Ohio. The Arnold Sports Festival features 18,000 athletes from 80 nations compete in 45 sports and events. Gov. Schwarzenegger attends each year and appears at each event.

2013 Lifetime Achievement Award

Rich Gaspari, who won the inaugural Arnold Classic in 1989, will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award at Arnold Classic on Saturday, March 2 at Veterans Memorial.

In addition to winning the first Arnold Classic, Gaspari’s past titles also include Mr. America (now known as the NPC Nationals), Mr. Universe, Professional Mr. World and three-time runner-up at the Mr. Olympia.

Over the past 15 years, Gaspari has developed a brand of supplements under the Gaspari Nutrition brand into one of the most formidable and popular lines in the world. Gaspari’s determination and love for the sport of bodybuilding has helped his successfully transition from a competitive bodybuilder into an active CEO who tours the globe teaching fitness to others and supporting the sports of professional and amateur bodybuilding.

The Arnold Classic Lifetime Achievement Award was established in 2000 to honor the industry’s legends for their contributions to the world of health and fitness. Previous winners include: Joe Weider (2000), Reg Park (2001), Jim Lorimer (2002), Frank Zane (2003), Bill Pearl (2004), Jack LaLanne (2005), Lee Haney (2006), Cory Everson (2007), Ben Weider (2008), Franco Columbu (2009), Sylvester Stallone (2010), Lou Ferrigno (2011) and Robert Kennedy (2012)

Tickets are available through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com/arnold or 800-745-3000.

For more information, including schedules, locations and hours, visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.

National Sponsors: GNC, MHP, AEP American Electric Power, All American EFX, Allmax Nutrition, American Airlines, Animal, Bodybuilding.com, bpi Sports, BSN, EAS Sports Nutrition, FIGHT! Magazine, Gaspari Nutrition, Hollywood Casino Columbus, Infinite Labs, Jan Tana, Justice & Brothers, MET-Rx, MRI, MusclePharm, Optimum Nutrition, Probiotica, Ricart.com, Subway, TEN.1 and Vitamin Shoppe.

Arnold Fitness EXPO Sponsors: Beach Body, BEAST, Bodybuilding.com, Europa Sports Products, Lonestar Distribution MRM, Oh Yeah!, power Crunch, PROLAB, and Rogue Fitness.

Local Sponsors: AEP American Electric Power, American Airlines, Chase, The Columbus Dispatch, Gold’s Gym, Metro Fitness, Nationwide, Ricart.com and Subway.

Media Contacts: Matt Lorz Lorz Communications, Inc.

(614) 443-1877

mattlorz@rrcol.com

Brent LaLonde Arnold Sports Festival (614) 431-2600 brent@arnoldexpo.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Arnold Sports Festival and the world-renowned Arnold Classic will celebrate its 25th Anniversary when the fitness celebration is held Feb. 28-March 3 in Columbus, Ohio.

The Arnold Sports Festival will again attract 175,000 sports and fitness fans to watch 18,000 athletes compete in more than 45 sports and events, including 12 Olympic events.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer have co-produced the Weekend since 1989, when it debuted as a one-day bodybuilding competition known as the Arnold Classic. The Arnold Sports Festival has steadily grown over the years to where it is now a four-day festival that features a variety of sports. Included are professional and amateur bodybuilding competitions, weightlifting, powerlifting and Strongman as well as a complete lineup of youth sports that include gymnastics, cheerleading and dance, fencing, martial arts and many others.

The Arnold Fitness EXPO will again feature 700 booths of the latest in sports equipment, apparel and nutrition and a stage that hosts unique, non-stop competitions and entertainment that combine to make the Arnold Fitness EXPO a leading highlight of the Arnold Sports Festival. The EXPO is open March 1-3.

Among the new events in 2013 are the Arnold Scottish Highland Games, which will feature top professionals in events such as Tossing the Caber, Putting the Stone and Throwing the Hammer. Scottish Music and Highland Dancing will also be featured. The event will be held March 3 at the Columbus Commons.

Olympic sports in which youth compete and Olympians and hopefuls appear include archery, boxing, fencing, gymnastics, judo, running, table tennis, tae kwon do, track & field, weightlifting and wrestling.

Arnold Sports Festival

Dates: Feb. 28-March 3, 2013.

Locations: Greater Columbus Convention Center (400 N. High St.), Veterans Memorial (300 W. Broad St.), Lifestyle Communities Pavilion (405 Neil Ave.), Columbus Commons (160 S. High St.) Hilton Columbus Downtown (401 N. High St.), The Ohio State University French Field House (460 Woody Hayes Dr), Jerome Schottenstein Center (555 Borror Dr.) and Hyatt Regency Columbus (350 N. High St.).

Hours: Thursday 6-11 p.m.; Friday-Saturday 8 a.m.-10 p.m.; Sunday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

EXPO hours: Friday 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: A daily EXPO ticket ($10 in advance plus service charges, $15 at door) includes admission to most events and the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Professional and amateur bodybuilding events and the Arnold Champions & Legends Sunday Morning Showcase at the Hilton Columbus Downtown, the Amateur MMA Festival and the Arnold Party With The Pros at Lifestyle Communities Pavilion require a separate ticket. Arnold VIP Ticket Packages are available for $600 & $350 and include a variety of exclusive benefits and premium seating to many events.

Web: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com

Tickets: www.ticketmaster.com/arnold or 800-745-3000.

For photographs or further information contact Matt Lorz, at 614-443-1877, or mattlorz@rrcol.com.

Watch it on YouTube

 
Dr. Robert Goldman, Chairman & Founder of the International Sports Hall of Fame, gives Arnold Schwarzenegger a gigantic medal. Arnold makes a great speech.

Watch it on YouTube

From Matt Lorz, Arnold Sports Festival Media Relations:

Congratulations to the inaugural class and to Dr. Robert Goldman for creating the hall of fame!

Highlight video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MM1nAgglkBY

Article about the event:  http://www.sportshof.org/articles/international-sports-hall-of-fame-awards-arnold-schwarzenegger-sports-festival-a-huge-success/

Acceptance speeches: http://www.sportshof.org/ishof-awards-acceptance-video/

Gov. Schwarzenegger HOF Induction Video: http://www.sportshof.org/hall-of-fame/arnold-schwarzenegger/

Biggest question mark going into the 2012 Arnold Classic was, "Could Branch Warren bounce back from surgery on his right quad last August in time to be on stage to defend his ASC crown?" The 5’6 1/2", 245-pounder from Texas, forced to miss the Olympia last year, answered that query with a resounding "Yes" Saturday at Vets Memorial Auditorium in Columbus, Ohio, with a unanimous victory at the ASC ($130,000), nabbing the "Most Muscular" honor for the sixth time…and even stashing away another 10 grand by being named the winner of the "Most Entertaining Posing Routine."

The results nearly mirrored the 2011 winner’s list, with Dennis Wolf again finishing behind Warren, and Evan Centopani, fourth in 2011, moving up to third this time around. Last year’s third-place winner, Victor Martinez, did not compete due to personal problems. Ben Pakulski, who gets my "Most Improved" award for the first part of 2012, was at his all-time best en route to a fourth-place finish. Dexter Jackson, fifth last season, duplicated that position this year, while Lionel Beyeke, coming off his victory over Pakulski at the FLEX Pro two weeks earlier in Santa Monica, CA, rounded out the top six.

Although Warren got straight one’s from the judges, there were a lot of people who disagreed with the decision. Wolf had his legion of supporters, although I don’t feel Dennis was improved over his conditioning last year; IRON MAN Publisher John Balik felt Centopani deserved the title. "Centopani didn’t have the holes in his physique the others had," says Balik in the wrap-up video soon to be up on the site that I did with JB and Dave Liberman minutes after the contest ended. Dave agreed with the magistrates in this one, saying Branch was the clear winner because of his thick, dense muscle, coupled with good conditioning, that Wolf WAS better than last year, and that Even was a solid third.

Brandon Curry finished seventh, Shawn Rhoden eighth, Michael Kefalianos landed in ninth and Eduardo Correa rounded out the top 10.

Check out the complete results, and thousands of Roland Balik photos, on the site.

2012 Arnold Classic

1. Branch Warren ($130,000)
2. Dennis Wolf ($75,000)
3. Evan Centopani ($50,000)
4. Ben Pakulski ($30,000)
5. Dexter Jackson ($15,000)
6. Lionel Beyeke ($10,000)

7th through 14th: $2,000

7. Brandon Curry
8. Shawn Rhoden
9. Michael Kefalianos
10. Ed Correa
11. Fouad Abiad
12. Ben White
13. Gustavo Badell
14. Matthias Botthof

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 2, 2012

Adela Garcia Wins Arnold Fitness International

Nicole Wilkins Wins Arnold Figure International Championships

COLUMBUS, OH – Yaxeni Oriquen of Miami, Florida is a five-time winner of the Ms. International bodybuilding competition at the Arnold Sports Festival 2012.

Oriquen received a prize of $25,000 from Pete Dorobis from MHP and a trophy presented by Jon Coyne of GNC, congratulations and Tony Nowak jacket from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Other major prizes awarded in the Ms. International were:

• 2^nd place: Debi Laszewski of Jupiter, FL received $13,000 presented by EAS and a trophy from Gaspari Nutrition.
• 3^rd place: Alina Popa of Zurich, Switzerland received $8,000 presented by Gold’s Gym and a trophy from Vitamin Shoppe.
• 4^th place: Cathy LeFrancois of El Monte, CA received $5,000 presented by Chase and a trophy from Probiotica.
• 5^th place: Kim Buck of Newman, GA received $3,000 presented by Muscle Nutrition and a trophy from Animal/Universal Nutrition.
• 6^th place: Brigita Brezovac of Maribor, Slovenia received $2,000 presented by Ricart.com and a trophy from Fight! Magazine.

Adela Garcia of Pflugerville, Texas is a five-time winner the Fitness International competition at the Arnold Sports Festival 2010.  She received $25,000 presented by Pete Dorobis from MHP, a trophy presented by Jon Coyne of GNC, congratulations and Tony Nowak jacket from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Other prizes in the Fitness International were:

• 2^nd place: Camala Rodriguez of Denver, CO received $13,000 presented by Gaspari Nutrition and a trophy from Optimum Nutrition.
• 3^rd place: Oksana Grishina of Irvine, CA received $8,000 presented by The Columbus Dispatch and a trophy from MET-Rx.
• 4^th place: Bethany Cisternino of Bridgewater, NJ received $5,000 presented by Probiotica and a trophy from Jan Tana.
• 5^th place: Tanji Johnson of Renton, WA of received $3,000 presented by BSN and a trophy from Twinlab.
• 6^th place: Myriam Capes of La Prarie, Quebec, Canada received $2,000 presented by Bpi Sports and a trophy from Muscle Nutrition.

Nicole Wilkins of Sterling Heights, Michigan won the Figure International Championships for the 3^rd year in a row.  She received $16,000 from Jon Coyne of GNC, a trophy from Pete Dorobis of MHP and a Tony Nowak jacket and congratulations from Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Other prizes in the Figure International were:

• 2^nd place: Erin Stern, Ocala, CA received $10,000 presented by American Airlines and a trophy from EAS.
• 3^rd place: Candice Keene, Maitland, FL received $8,000 presented by Optimum Nutrition and a trophy from Vitamin Shoppe.
• 4^th place: Ava Cowan, Deerfield Beach, FL received $5,000 presented by Animal Universal Nutrition and a trophy from Jan Tana.
• 5^th place: Heather Dees, Lehi, UT received $3,000 presented by Bpi Sports and a trophy from BSN.
• 6^th place: Teresa Anthony, Glen Burnie, MD received $2,000 presented by MET-Rx and a trophy from Twinlab.

###

For more information visit: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.

Media Contacts:

Matt Lorz
Lorz Communications
(614) 443-1877
mattlorz@rrcol.com

Brent LaLonde
Arnold Sports Festival
(614) 431-2600
brent@arnoldexpo.com

View video on YouTube: http://youtu.be/Xnlvj8555Sc