12 Arnold Sports Festival Names You Really Need to Know
Close gallery popup button
1 OF 13
1 of 13
A Columbus Classic
Since it began in 1989, the Arnold Classic has evolved from seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger’s modest bodybuilding tourney of 39 male and female competitors into a fitness mega-weekend—the Arnold Sports Festival. Having been retooled to attract more than just hardcore bodybuilding fans, the Arnold Sports Festival now also features seminars, meet and greets, athletic and sports competitions, and for a fitness expo that’s expected to draw more than 185,000 visitors to Columbus, OH, March 3-6. To close out the weekend on Sunday, Arnold will host a roundup of guest speakers, Arnold Classic participants, and other top industry names. That being said, the highlight of the weekend still is—and always will be—the Arnold Classic, in which the top names from IFBB Pro League bodybuilding, physique, fitness, figure and bikini take to the stage for a chance to set the tone for the rest of the competitive season. The winners and head-turners often build enough momentum to ride into September’s Mr. Olympia competition—the IFBB’s Super Bowl.This year things are a bit different at the Arnold: None of the top five from last year’s O are competing, including defending Arnold Classic champion Dexter Jackson. Here is the 12-man field at the 2016 Arnold Classic.
2 of 13
Cedric McMillan
D.O.B.: 8/17/77 HEIGHT: 6’1″ WEIGHT: 270 lbsWith a size and shape combo reminiscent of the great Lee Haney’s, McMillan could become one of the greats—if he’s able to dial it all in.
Arnold Classic Fact:
6: Record for most runner-up finishes, held by Chris Cormier(2000–05)..
3 of 13
Branch Warren
D.O.B.: 2/26/75 HEIGHT: 5’7″ WEIGHT: 245 lbsCareer-threatening injuries mean nothing to the 12-year pro, who has nine pro wins, including the Arnold (’11, ’12). If he’s on, he’s in the fight.
Arnold Classic Fact:
Record for most wins, held by Dexter Jackson 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015.
4 of 13
Justin Compton
D.O.B.: 5/15/88 HEIGHT: 5’8″ WEIGHT: 255 lbsWith a spectacular X-frame, humongous guns, and deep, separated quads and hammies, Compton’s got the size and aesthetics to score a W.
5 of 13
Josh Lenartowicz
D.O.B.: 4/5/83 HEIGHT: 5’8″ WEIGHT: 260 lbsRelative newcomer Lenartowicz has the size to stand favorably with taller, bigger competitors— that’s if he’s added enough separation and detail.
6 of 13
Johnnie O. Jackson
D.O.B.: 1/30/71 HEIGHT: 5’8″ WEIGHT: 235 lbsAt 45, Jackson has the upper-body beef to hold his own against the best in the biz. But his legs have hurt his placings in bigger shows.
7 of 13
Evan Centopani
D.O.B.: 4/7/82 HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 265 lbsOx has taken fifth at the Arnold the past two years, and third and fourth at the Australia Pro Grand Prix XIV and Arnold Classic Australia, respectively. If Centopani can show greater depth in his torso and more meat to his wheels, he’ll have the structure and grainy density to make a serious bid for the top spot.
8 of 13
Toney Freeman
D.O.B.: 8/30/66 HEIGHT: 6’2″ WEIGHT: 292 lbsAlthough fading legs have hampered Freeman, the 49-year-old’s expansive upper body and impressive X-frame make him a perennial threat.
9 of 13
Juan Morel
D.O.B.: 4/2/82 HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 264 lbsBig Diesel has been eager to forget about his string of poor showings in the latter half of the 2015 season. Morel tipped the scales at an off-season high of 280 pounds, and if a good deal of that weight translates to his lower half, he has the height and upper body.
10 of 13
Maxx Charles
D.O.B.: 2/21/77 HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 265 lbsCharles has the chest, delts, and arms to stand with everybody else in the lineup, but he’ll need more back and leg thickness to earn a chance at victory.
11 of 13
Lukas Wyler
D.O.B.: 2/4/87 HEIGHT: 5’10” WEIGHT: 260 lbsThe 2015 Arnold Amateur super-heavyweight and overall winner’s Pro League debut will take place in a highly competitive field for a rook.
12 of 13
Cody Montgomery
D.O.B.: 8/6/94 HEIGHT: 5’7″ WEIGHT: 225 lbsAt 20, Montgomery became the youngest competitor to earn a pro card. If he shows up with quality size, he can make quite a splash in his pro debut.
13 of 13
Kai Greene
D.O.B.: 7/12/75 HEIGHT: 5’8″ WEIGHT: 260 lbsGreene, a two-time Arnold winner (’09, ’10), will be ultra-sharp and detailed, or bigger than a house. Either way, a third A.C. title isn’t out of the question.
Arnold Classic Fact:
2: Competitors who have won the Arnold and the Mr. Olympia in the same calendar year: Ronnie Coleman, 2001; Dexter Jackson, 2008.
Since it began in 1989, the Arnold Classic has evolved from seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger’s modest bodybuilding tourney of 39 male and female competitors into a fitness mega-weekend—the Arnold Sports Festival. Having been retooled to attract more than just hardcore bodybuilding fans, the Arnold Sports Festival now also features seminars, meet and greets, athletic and sports competitions, and for a fitness expo that’s expected to draw more than 185,000 visitors to Columbus, OH, March 3-6. To close out the weekend on Sunday, Arnold will host a roundup of guest speakers, Arnold Classic participants, and other top industry names. That being said, the highlight of the weekend still is—and always will be—the Arnold Classic, in which the top names from IFBB Pro League bodybuilding, physique, fitness, figure and bikini take to the stage for a chance to set the tone for the rest of the competitive season. The winners and head-turners often build enough momentum to ride into September’s Mr. Olympia competition—the IFBB’s Super Bowl.
This year things are a bit different at the Arnold: None of the top five from last year’s O are competing, including defending Arnold Classic champion Dexter Jackson. Here is the 12-man field at the 2016 Arnold Classic.
Cedric McMillan
D.O.B.: 8/17/77 HEIGHT: 6’1″ WEIGHT: 270 lbs
With a size and shape combo reminiscent of the great Lee Haney’s, McMillan could become one of the greats—if he’s able to dial it all in.
Arnold Classic Fact:
6: Record for most runner-up finishes, held by Chris Cormier(2000–05)..
Branch Warren
D.O.B.: 2/26/75 HEIGHT: 5’7″ WEIGHT: 245 lbs
Career-threatening injuries mean nothing to the 12-year pro, who has nine pro wins, including the Arnold (’11, ’12). If he’s on, he’s in the fight.
Arnold Classic Fact:
Record for most wins, held by Dexter Jackson 2005, 2006, 2008, 2013, 2015.
Justin Compton
D.O.B.: 5/15/88 HEIGHT: 5’8″ WEIGHT: 255 lbs
With a spectacular X-frame, humongous guns, and deep, separated quads and hammies, Compton’s got the size and aesthetics to score a W.
Josh Lenartowicz
D.O.B.: 4/5/83 HEIGHT: 5’8″ WEIGHT: 260 lbs
Relative newcomer Lenartowicz has the size to stand favorably with taller, bigger competitors— that’s if he’s added enough separation and detail.
Johnnie O. Jackson
D.O.B.: 1/30/71 HEIGHT: 5’8″ WEIGHT: 235 lbs
At 45, Jackson has the upper-body beef to hold his own against the best in the biz. But his legs have hurt his placings in bigger shows.
Evan Centopani
D.O.B.: 4/7/82 HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 265 lbs
Ox has taken fifth at the Arnold the past two years, and third and fourth at the Australia Pro Grand Prix XIV and Arnold Classic Australia, respectively. If Centopani can show greater depth in his torso and more meat to his wheels, he’ll have the structure and grainy density to make a serious bid for the top spot.
Toney Freeman
D.O.B.: 8/30/66 HEIGHT: 6’2″ WEIGHT: 292 lbs
Although fading legs have hampered Freeman, the 49-year-old’s expansive upper body and impressive X-frame make him a perennial threat.
Juan Morel
D.O.B.: 4/2/82 HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 264 lbs
Big Diesel has been eager to forget about his string of poor showings in the latter half of the 2015 season. Morel tipped the scales at an off-season high of 280 pounds, and if a good deal of that weight translates to his lower half, he has the height and upper body.
Maxx Charles
D.O.B.: 2/21/77 HEIGHT: 5’11” WEIGHT: 265 lbs
Charles has the chest, delts, and arms to stand with everybody else in the lineup, but he’ll need more back and leg thickness to earn a chance at victory.
Lukas Wyler
D.O.B.: 2/4/87 HEIGHT: 5’10” WEIGHT: 260 lbs
The 2015 Arnold Amateur super-heavyweight and overall winner’s Pro League debut will take place in a highly competitive field for a rook.
Cody Montgomery
D.O.B.: 8/6/94 HEIGHT: 5’7″ WEIGHT: 225 lbs
At 20, Montgomery became the youngest competitor to earn a pro card. If he shows up with quality size, he can make quite a splash in his pro debut.
Kai Greene
D.O.B.: 7/12/75 HEIGHT: 5’8″ WEIGHT: 260 lbs
Greene, a two-time Arnold winner (’09, ’10), will be ultra-sharp and detailed, or bigger than a house. Either way, a third A.C. title isn’t out of the question.
Arnold Classic Fact:
2: Competitors who have won the Arnold and the Mr. Olympia in the same calendar year: Ronnie Coleman, 2001; Dexter Jackson, 2008.
