Prejudging for the Arnold Classic is held annually Saturday at 12 noon at Veterans Memorial Auditorium proceeding the 7 p.m. evening finals. The Arnold Classic annually sells out and fills the entire Veterans Memorial Auditorium. 15 international judges and officials will preside in 2008 at the 20th annual Arnold Classic, and the Ms. International, Fitness International, and Figure International events.
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Amateur Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure
The 2008 Arnold Amateur IFBB International Bodybuilding, Fitness & Figure Championships will come to the annual Arnold Sports Festival in 2008 with an international focus and an expanded schedule.
In a precedent setting move, the event will be open to IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilders) Amateur Competitors throughout Europe, Asia, Canada and USA's NPC (National Physique Committee) - the governing body for amateurs in the America. Amateur athletes will compete in men's and women's bodybuilding, women's fitness, and women's figure.
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Martial Arts
The Arnold Martial Arts Festival annually hosts a unique gathering of martial arts disciplines and their leaders from across the world. We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Columbus, Ohio resident and annual martial arts leader at the Arnold Sports Festival, Master Laura Clements.
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5K Pump & Run
The Arnold 5K Pump and Run has changed the sport of running. What began as a way for athletes to show their overall fitness by pressing their body weight and completing a simple 5K run has evolved into the premiere event to demonstrate complete fitness for athletes.
Some athletes prefer running as their test of fitness. Others use strength to measure their prowess. The athletes who participate in the Arnold 5K Pump & Run have changed the way others view fitness.
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Armwrestling
The 2008 Arnold Classic Armwrestling Challenge (ACAC) will be held on the Arnold Fitness EXPO stage Friday, February 29 and Saturday, March 1, inside the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
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Archery
Devin Osborn, 14-year-old middle school archer from Maysville, Ohio placed first among middle school boys at the inaugural National Archery in the Schools (NASP) National Invitational Tournament held recently in Kentucky. Twenty states were represented and 1,577 students competed.
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Bench Press
USA Powerlifting (USAPL), America's Premiere Powerlifting Organization will present world level competition at the Arnold Sports Festival 2008.
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Arnold Classic Bench Press Competitor.
Boxing
The Arnold Sports Festival will celebrate the Third Annual Arnold USA Boxing Invitational Championships February 29, March 1 & 2 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.
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Cheerleading & Dance Team Nationals
4,000 competitors will participate in the 2008 Arnold Cheerleading and Dance Team National Championship as part of the Arnold Sports Festival, February 29, March 1 & 2, 2008 in Columbus, Ohio.
The event is highly competitive event and annually proves to be exciting, endearing, and impressive. "This is one of the most exciting events of the weekend," said Brian Hallam, President of US Spirit and event chairman. "It's athletic, fast paced and very exciting."
Cheerleaders and dance team members will compete in High School, Junior High, Middle School, Youth, Elementary, Studio, Rec League, College and All Star Divisions. It is an open competition, no pre-qualification is necessary.
Team competition is held Saturday and Sunday with individuals and stunt teams competing Friday afternoon and evening.
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Cycling
Arnold Sports Festival to Partner with Fat Rabbit Racing in the Creation of the Inaugural Arnold Cycling Challenge.
The Arnold Sports Festival 2008 will present a new Olympic sport in 2008, The Arnold Cycling Challenge, a short distance criterium road race Sunday morning March 2 in downtown Columbus.
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Arnold Youth Dancesport Classic
Every Arnold Sports Festival fan needs to witness the extreme athleticism that is exhibited annually within the Arnold Youth Dancesport Classic. Imagine the grace and elegance of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers captured in the movements of a four-year-old and you can glimmer just a few of the special moments at the Arnold Youth Dancesport Classic.
1,000 youth through collegiate dancers present their incredible talents in this glamorous two-day event held within the Hyatt Regency Ballroom and organized by world renowned dance champions Sam Sodano and Bill Sparks. Youth dancers from across North America perform before an internationally recognized panel of experts.
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Fencing
The mission of the Arnold Fencing Classic is to present and promote the sport of fencing by hosting a high level regional youth competition and to showcase world class fencers in competitive exhibition bouts.
Numerous youth organizations participate annually in the Arnold Fencing Classic including the esteemed Peter Westbrook Foundation, and After-School All-Stars Columbus, a year - round comprehensive after-school program spearheaded by national Honorary Chairman, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.
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Arnold Classic Fencing Competitors.
In 2008, The Arnold Fencing Classic will feature a regional youth circuit, open tournaments for all weapons, and an Invitational for the world class fencers.
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Gymnastics
The Arnold Gymnastics Challenge is the largest mixed meet (boys & girls) in the United States and is held annually as a part of The Arnold Sports Festival. The event showcases 3,500 competitive youngsters as well as demonstrations by leading U.S. Olympians including Paul & Morgan Hamm, Blaine Wilson, and more. 2007 celebrities included Mary Lou Retton, Paul & Morgan Hamm, Blaine Wilson, and newcomer Chellsie Memmel.
Memmel of Milwaukee, Wisconsin won the 1st all-around, 2nd uneven bars, 2nd balance beam at the 2005 World Championships, the 1st all-around, 1st uneven bars, 1st balance beam at the Pan American Championships, the 2nd all-around at the National Championships and at the American Cup - the1st uneven bars. Her presence generated much excitement throughout the 2007 Arnold Gymnastics Challenge.
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Powerlifting
Main stage events for USAPL Powerlifting at the 2008 Arnold Sports Festival include the invitational International Pro Deadlift for men and women, the International Pro Bench Press for men, women, and team categories, the Quest American Pro Invitational, and the Unequipped Competition with belt, wrist, and knee wraps allowed.
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Arnold Classic Powerlifting Competitor.
Strongman
The Arnold Strongman Classic features the World's top 10 leading professional strongmen competitors in riveting feats of strength before an annually packed crowd at the Arnold Sports Festival.
The two-day event is held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in conjunction with the Arnold Fitness EXPO and is under the direction of University of Texas professors, Drs. Jan and Terry Todd. Nutrition industry leader MHP will again serve as the presenting sponsor for this international event.
Competitors in the Arnold Strongman Classic vie for a total of over $150,000 in cash and prizes and a $10,000 bronze statue of legendary strongman Louis Cyr, and over $3,000 in MHP sports nutrition supplements.
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Table Tennis
Killerspin, the esteemed international leader in all things table tennis will present the Killerspin Arnold Table Tennis Challenge 2008. Killerspin, a 4 year partner with The Arnold Sports Festival, will bring world famous table tennis action to Columbus, Ohio February 29, March 1 & 2 in Columbus, Ohio.
Killerspin annually brings internationally renown players to Columbus and 2008 will be no exception. Returning talents will likely include 2007 Battle of the Sexes Champion Biba who in 2007 defeated Aleksandar Karakasevic four games to three with a seventh game score of 18-16 before California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Biba persevered and took home the $1,500 prize.
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Weightlifting
The 2008 Arnold Weightlifting Championships will welcome the nation's best weightlifters for the Arnold Weightlifting Championships and the 2008 U.S. Weightlifting Nationals. The U.S. Weightlifting Nationals are governed by USA Weightlifting. This is a prestigious event that will in part determine key spots on the Team USA for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.
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Wrestling
The 2008 Arnold Wrestling Challenge, will be held Sunday March 2nd and is under the direction of Event Chairman Paul Bukky.
"The Arnold Wrestling Challenge provides thrilling moments of competition for young wrestling athletes who enjoy the exceptional opportunity to compete within one of Columbus's premiere sports destination's - Nationwide Arena," said Bukky. "We hope to broaden our participation in 2008. Each year we welcome top male and female competitors. In 2006 & 2007 we recognized Alaska's Michela Hutchinson, a nationally known wrestler who achieved the status as a first female state title holder when Alaska crowned her as the state champion."
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