The Item: Fitness Industry Event, Special Appearances, Legends Update, IFBB Pro League Contest Preview, Andrew Oye's IFBB Pro Athletes Roundup
The Scoop: Recently Announced: This weekend, sports and fitness enthusiasts assemble in Columbus, Ohio,
for the 2011 Arnold Sports Festival -- an international, multi-sport
and fitness bonanza, including almost 50 different competitions and
attractions (March 3-6).
The "So What?": Winner of the 2009 and 2010 IFBB Pro Arnold Schwarzenegger Classic
Bodybuilding Championships, IFBB Pro K. Greene will not revisit Columbus
to defend the title, opening up the window of opportunity for the other
top IFBB Pro League athletes chomping at the bit for the $130,000
prize.
The Arnold Classic lineup includes: 2008 Mr. Olympia IFBB
Pro Dexter Jackson (3-time Arnold Classic winner), IFBB Pro Victor
Martinez (2007 Arnold Classic Champ) IFBB Pro Toney Freeman (a popular
veteran), IFBB Pro Branch Warren (2010's 3rd place finisher, looking to
capitalize on the absence of last year's 2nd place runner-up IFBB Pro
Phil Heath), IFBB Pro Johnnie Jackson (part-time powerlifter), IFBB Pro
Roelly Winklaar (2009 Arnold Amateur Bodybuilding Championships winner),
IFBB Pro Robert Piotrkowicz (finished 10th last year), IFBB Pro Ronny
Rockel (2-time Mr. Europe Pro Champion), IFBB Pro Sergey Shelestov
(4-time Arnold Classic competitor), IFBB Pro Essa Obaid (2010 Arnold
Amateur Bodybuilding Championships winner), IFBB Pro Dennis Wolf (first
time at Arnold Classic), IFBB Pro Fouad Abiad (Arnold Classic novice),
IFBB Pro Evan Centopani (Arnold Classic first-timer), and IFBB Pro Ben
Pakulski (Arnold Classic debut).
In the women's divisions: Once
again, 5-time winner IFBB Pro Iris Kyle (6-time Ms. Olympia) leads the
pack in the 23rd Annual Ms. International
Championships. Two-time champ IFBB Pro Adele Garcia (4-time Fitness
Olympia winner) defends the title of Ms. Fitness International, and IFBB
Pro Nicole Wilkins (2009 Figure Olympia winner) aims to retain the Ms.
Figure International title. The Ms. Bikini International contest makes
its debut.
Athletes also compete in archery, boxing,
cheerleading, dancesport, fencing, figure skating, gymnastics, martial
arts, skateboarding, table tennis, strongman, weightlifting and
wrestling. Top student-athletes compete for Columbus Rotary
scholarships.
Andrew Oye's Verdict: In conclusion, the Arnold Sports Festival weekend consistently delivers
an inspiring weekend of spotlighting of athletic achievement, which
extends beyond select champions' actively competitive years -- for
instance, Hollywood actor, 2-time Mr. Universe and legendary IFBB Pro Lou Ferrigno
(TV's "Incredible Hulk" and Schwarzenegger's "Pumping Iron" co-star) is
slated to receive the "Lifetime Achievement Award." The early main
event on the International Federation of Bodybuilding & Fitness
contest schedule, the Arnold Classic jumpstarts fan interest in which
top IFBB Pro League athletes will eventually take the stage at Joe
Weider's Olympia Weekend, bodybuilding's "Super Bowl."
As reported in "Andrew Oye's Pro-Muscle Report," past
Arnold Classic champions include: IFBB Pro Rich Gaspari (1989), IFBB Pro
Mike Ashley (1990), IFBB Pro Shawn Ray (1991), IFBB Pro Vince Taylor
(1992), IFBB Pro Flex Wheeler (1993, 1997, 1998, 2000), IFBB Pro Kevin
Levrone (1994, 1996), IFBB Pro Michael Francois (1995), IFBB Pro Nasser
El Sonbaty (1990), 8-time Mr. Olympia IFBB Pro Ronnie Coleman (2001),
and 4-time Mr. Olympia IFBB Pro Jay Cutler (2002-2004).
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