“I'll be back,” Arnold Schwarzenegger promised us in 1984's “Terminator,” and the bodybuilder-turned-actor-turned-politician has kept his word for 36 years.
Schwarzenegger, namesake of the Arnold Sports Festival, has returned to Columbus every year since 1989 to compete in the multi-sport fitness competition and has watched it grow into an event that draws more than 12,000 athletes from more than 80 nations in over 50 sports and events to participate.
The former California governor will also be present at the festival this year, which will be held from Feb. 29 to March 3 primarily at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St. Some events take place at the Ohio Expo Center and the Columbus Athenaeum.
Ticket prices vary by event and can be purchased at arnoldsports.com/tickets.
“(Schwarzenegger) will be speaking at the pro bodybuilding shows on Friday and Saturday nights (March 1-2), he will be attending the expo, visiting sponsor booths and attending many sports,” said Brent LaLonde, Arnold Sports Festival events director .
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“He will also be hosting a seminar, the Arnold Showcase (on March 3). It will last about three hours in an interview-like atmosphere and there will be time for the public to ask him questions.”
In addition to Schwarzenegger's presence at the fitness fest, the Arnold Expo will also return with three stages of ongoing competition and entertainment, as well as hundreds of booths featuring the latest exercise equipment, apparel and nutrition. The opening hours of the exhibition are on March 1st and 2nd from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on March 3rd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At the Arnold Classic, fitness fans will see some of the most toned and muscular bodies bodybuilding has to offer. The pre-evaluation and finals will take place March 1-2.
Participants can also witness incredible feats of strength such as the classic Arnold Strongman and Strongwoman. Other demonstrations of physical prowess include the U.S. Powerlifting and Weightlifting Championships and the XPC Powerlifting Competition.
“The strength competitions attract a large field, not just of competitors, but of participants,” LaLonde said.
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Martial arts such as medieval fighting, which LaLonde describes as “a really intense competition,” are also very popular. Other events in this category include Guns & Hoses Boxing and MMA, Grappling and Muay Thai, sometimes called Thai Boxing.
Want to throw your hat in the ring at Arnold? Non-professional bodybuilders can now register for the 2024 National Physique Committee Worldwide Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini, Physique and Wellness Championships. Registration is $250 per class at arnoldamateur.com/info/registration.
Registrations are also open for the World's Strongest Firefighter Contest, which has weight classes for men and women. The entry fee is $120 at eventbrite.com.
For event schedules and more information about the Arnold Sports Festival, visit arnoldsports.com.
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