The Arnold Classic this year is going to be the largest to date. They are expecting well over 100,000 people to walk through the event. I suggest getting your tickets early because this event is going to be one that you do not want to miss. So book your hotel early and get ready to experience something like you have never seen. It's the 2007 Arnold Classic, March 2-4... Let the games begin!!
Here is my prediction for this years Arnold (men's)...
I think the battle for the 1 and 2 spots are going to the highlight of this year. Dexter comes into every show in tip-top shape and shredded to the bone—everything is striated from head to toe. However, with Victor's finish at the Olympia and with his condition at that contest, he could very well take the title away from Dexter.
Victor can definitely hang with the big guys and with Jay and Ronnie not in the competition, Victor will be one of the biggest guys on stage. His conditioning in the Olympia was right on and if he brings that conditioning or even a little better he will easily take home the title.
Branch didn't hit his mark at the Olympia so I believe he will definitely make some changes and come into the Arnold in the condition we are used to seeing him in with the massive wheels and that dry vascular look we are used to seeing.
You can never count Ruhl out of any competition and he will definitely come in larger than life with his big blocky physique, however I believe Gustavo will come in with a better condition and slightly beat out Markus pushing him to 5th. If I were to place the competitors in order of how I believe they will finish, here would be my selections for the Top 5:
- Victor Martinez
- Dexter Jackson
- Branch Warren
- Gustavo Badell
- Markus Ruhl
Suzanne Irwin Interview
Below you will also find an interview with Suzanne Irwin who will fill you in with all the details surrounding the Arnold.
[ Q ] Let's start off by asking what exactly is The Arnold?
[ A ] The Arnold Sports Festival is the largest multi-sports festival in the nation, featuring 39 events - including 14 Olympic sports. 17,000 athletes compete annually and the Festival annually hosts the Arnold Fitness EXPO with 650 exhibit booths. 132,000 visitors annually attend the event.
[ Q ] Where will The Arnold take place?
[ A ] The Arnold Sports Festival is held annually in Columbus, Ohio within the city's three premiere venues:
- The Greater Columbus Convention Center
- Veterans Memorial
- Nationwide Arena
[ Q ] For those of us who will be coming to the show, what hotels do you recommend people stay at? What are some of the best places in the area to eat at?
[ A ] The Arnold Sports Festival will partner with more than 100 hotels in 2007. Arnoldsportsfestival.com provides a complete listing of every area hotels and contact information. We work very closely with Experience Columbus to promote the city's visitor attraction, dining, and entertainment opportunities. Certainly the Arena District, German Village, the Cap, and the Short North areas offer an endless array of fabulous dining options.
[ Q ] I heard The Arnold has the best Expo out of all the shows. What are your thoughts on that?
[ A ] The Arnold Fitness EXPO annually attracts thousands of enthusiastic professionals and fans from all over the globe who want the latest in equipment, nutrition, books, software, workout apparel, footwear, fitness videos, and educational materials.
Exhibitors enjoy the purchasing power of the diverse audience that includes personal trainers, health & fitness leaders, coaches at the high school and collegiate level, professional sport team representatives, fitness enthusiasts, and countless others.
The Arnold Fitness EXPO has a 94% return attendance. The EXPO also offers non-stop fitness entertainment and sports demonstrations that add to the EXPO's excitement and popularity.
[ Q ] Could you give us the schedule for this year's Arnold (dates and times of each of the events)?
Click Image To Enlarge.
2006 Cheerleaders.
More Pictures From The 2006 Arnold Here!
Veterans Memorial
9:00 am - 2:00 pm Amateur Fitness and Figure Championships
PREJUDGING AND FINALS
Amateur Bodybuilding Men's and Women's Championships
PREJUDGING
9:00 am - 10:00 pm Archery Competition
OHIO NASP STATE TOURNAMENT
NORTH HALL
7:00 pm FINALS 2007
Ms. International, Fitness International
And Figure International
AUDITORIUM
(RESERVED SEATING - $50 AND $75)*
Nationwide Arena
6:00 pm - 10:00 pm Hockey Skills Challenge
DISPATCH ICE HAUS +
For more information: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com
TICKETS : ** EXPO Tickets. Adults: $10 per day. 10yrs and under FREE if accompanied by an adult. Admission includes total access to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. For tickets: www.ticketmaster.com/arnold or call 614-431-3600. NO BABY STROLLERS.
* Ticketmaster: 614-431-3600
+ Tickets also available at Nationwide Arena Box Office
DATES AND TIMES SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Arnold Sports Festival
Click Image To Enlarge.
2006 Fencing Competitors.
More Pictures From The 2006 Arnold Here!
8:00 am - 6:00 pm Arnold Strength Training Summit
MORNING REGISTRATION
C210-216 (2ND FLOOR)
Youth DanceSport Classic Featuring:
COMPETITION BETWEEN U.S. AND CANADIAN DANCE COUPLES
HYATT REGENCY BALLROOM
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2006 Youth Dance Competitors.
More Pictures From 2006 The Arnold Here!
8:00 am - 7:00 pm WPO Super Open Championships
HEAVY AND SUPER HEAVYWEIGHT MEN
GRAND BALLROOM
Weightlifting
COMPETITIONS
C110-115
8:00 am - 8:00 pm Boxing Championships/Martial Arts Festival
SUMO DEMONSTRATIONS 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
HALL C
8:00 am - 9:00 pm Cheerleading and Dance
COMPETITOR REGISTRATION 8:00 AM - 12 NOON;
COMPETITION 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM;
BATTELLE HALL (DOORS OPEN AT 9:00 AM)
8:00 am - 10:00 pm Gymnastics Challenge
COMPULSORY AND OPTIONAL; INTERNATIONAL
ATHLETE EXHIBITION AND OPENING
CELEBRATION 12:00 NOON
HALLS E and F
9:00 am - 6:00 pm Arnold Fitness EXPO**
OPEN TO GENERAL PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT/CONTESTS BEGINS AND CONTINUES THROUGHOUT THE DAY HALL D EXPO STAGE
Amateur Men's and Women's Bodybuilding FINALS
9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Armwrestling FINALS
ALL CLASSES 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Sumo Demonstrations
12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Strongman Contest
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
World Record Bench Press Challenge
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
WWE Talent Recruitment Program
HALL C
Click Image To Enlarge.
2006 Bench Press Competitor.
More Pictures From 2006 Arnold Here!
Veterans Memorial
12:00 noon - 2:00 pm 19th Arnold Classic Prejudging
AUDITORIUM (RESERVED SEATING - $50)*
7:00 pm - 9:30 pm 19th Arnold Classic FINALS
AUDITORIUM (RESERVED SEATING $50 AND $75)*
9:30 pm - 10:00 pm Arnold Strongman Contest FINALS
AUDITORIUM (RESERVED SEATING $50 AND $75)*
10:00 pm - 1:00 am Arnold Classic VIP Buffet Party
NORTH HALL (VIP TICKET HOLDERS ONLY)
Nationwide Arena
Arnold Sports Festival
[ Q ] How can anyone who is interested purchase tickets and what are the prices?
[ A ] The Arnold Sports Festival annually partners with Ticketmaster for all ticketing needs. Ticketmaster is available by telephone at 614-431-3600 or via the web at ticketmaster.com.
The $10 daily Arnold EXPO ticket is a true value, offering daily admission to most of the Weekend's 39 events and the Arnold Fitness EXPO. The Arnold Classic sells out annually and the women's final events Friday evening are always a full house at Veterans Memorial Auditorium.
[ Q ] Who all will be competing in this year's event?
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Dexter Jackson, Branch Warren & Victor Martinez.
View More Pics From The 2006 Arnold Classic Here.
Click Image To Enlarge.
Iris Kyle, Dayana Cadeau & Yaxeni Oriquen.
View More Pics From The 2006 Arnold Classic Here.
Local competitors in the 2007 Fitness International are Jen Hendershott, and Julie Palmer as well as in Figure International's Julie Wallis, Latisha Wilder, Briana Tindall, and Cleveland's Valerie Waugaman. Additionally we will host an international array of Olympians in weightlifting, fencing, table tennis, gymnastics and archery.
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Fit Mission Revolution!
Join your host, Valerie Waugaman, as she leads the way down the road to the 2007 Arnold and the coveted Figure International title and springboards the Fit Mission Revolution into the minds of millions!
[ Click here to learn more. ] |
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[ Q ] Are there any changes in this year's Arnold compared to 2006?
[ A ] The Arnold Sports Festival & Fitness Weekend grows annually. This year we have added significant new events including:
USA Weightlifting's World Team Qualifying event on Friday, March 2.
Three top-level Sumo Wrestling demonstrations featuring four of the world's leading sumo champions, including two World Champions.
The First Annual Arnold Archery Competition featuring the Ohio National Archery in the Schools Program (NASP) state tournament.
An international youth dance competition featuring 14 US dance couples versus 14 Canadian dance couples.
The Arnold International Open Grappling Championships.
The first Amateur events in Men's Bodybuilding, women's bodybuilding, women's fitness, and women's figure.
And the innovative Active Aging Festival on Friday March 2 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center showcasing America's legendary "Fittest Couple" Jack and Elaine LaLanne.
[ Q ] What are your predictions for this year's result? Anyone in particular that you think has a great chance of winning or someone who you would like to see win in this years events?
[ A ] We predict many thrilling moments of intense competition in every sport. The Arnold Sports Festival & Fitness Weekend hosts elite level athletes, national champions, and competitive and eager amateurs. We celebrate every athlete's success and welcome their performance.
[ Q ] Before we part, is there anything else you would like to add or say?
[ A ] The Arnold Sports Festival & Fitness Weekend is a premiere destination for every fitness fan and health enthusiast. In 2007, the Weekend will welcome the competition and appearance of World's Strongest Man Phil Pfister, a Charleston, West Virginia firefighter.
The Arnold Strongman contest will showcase the greatest talents in Strong man and nearly every event will be held on the Arnold EXPO stage. The events will be featured in a two hour special on the National Geographic Channel. This will bring great additional exposure to the sport and the Weekend. We look forward to welcoming all your readers to the event.
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BB.com Arnold Classic Blog.
Get different views from our industry leaders about the upcoming Arnold Classic. See what some of our talented and verbose forum/BodySpace members have to say about the upcoming 2007 Arnold.
[ Click here to learn more. ] |
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