2008 Arnold Blog

We recently added some new 2008 Arnold Classic wallpapers, which are now awaiting your download here at BB.com.

Click here to visit the 2008 Arnold Wallpapers page!

Enjoy! 

Those of you wondering who will be competing in the amateur portions of the Arnold Classic weekend can now check them out on the Arnold web site. Visit: http://arnoldclassicamateurbodybuilding.com/competitors.html

I’ve confirmed with Monica Brant that she is out of the Figure International lineup. Monica has agreed to do an interview with me in a few days. She’ll provide more information on the details around her decision and what lies ahead for her. Stay tuned for more details.

Sorry Waugamaniacs, but those of you who had hopped to see Val compete for the Arnold title will have to wait. Valerie has withdrawn from the show. Valerie was a favorite to challenge for the title and a lock on a top 6 spot. This leaves the top 6 field a bit more interesting.

Yesterday Flexonline.com broke the news of Victor being injured. Last night Dave Palumbo from Muscular Development denied it and said, “He’ll be in the show! Who hasn’t pulled something while dieting for a show? Come on……..he’s not a baby.” Today Dave changed his story with the following report:

It’s Official Victor is OUT
Injury To Knee Forces Withdrawl!       
Written by Dave Palumbo   
Thursday, 17 January 2008
On Wednesday January 16th, while doing a set of warm-up lunges at his home gym in New Jersey, 2007 Arnold Classic Champ Victor Martinez fell off balance and felt something “give” in his left knee. The pain wasn’t intense but it forced him to discontinue his workout.

Today, he went for an MRI at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City and it was determined that he’ll require surgery to repair the injury. Victor will have one of the top orthopedic surgeons in the country operating on him tomorrow morning; and, if all goes as planned, he should be home by Saturday afternoon.

As a result of the injury, Victor will be forced to withdraw from the 2008 Arnold Classic and, instead, will concentrate on the upcoming 2008 Mr. Olympia. Stay tuned for daily updates!

Now the Arnold gets real interesting. Who will be the new victor of the Arnold Classic?

Here is a sneak peak of what fans and fellow pros can expect from Phil Heath at the Ironman Pro next month. See more at Flexonline.com. Will Phil win the IRONMAN? We’ll find out in less than five weeks.

Phil Heath at four weeks and five days out.

Check out the 2008 Iron Man Blog for more IM buzz!

[b]20-year reunion adds “Touch of Class” to 2008 Arnold Sports Festival[/b]

[b]COLUMBUS, OHIO[/b] – When all they come back to Columbus March 1 for the first reunion of male and female champion bodybuilders in history, the 12 previous winners of the Arnold Classic and the 8 past winners of the Ms. International Contest will be in a class of their own.

“This will be the greatest gathering of male and female champion bodybuilders in history,” said Lonnie Teper, editor-at-large and columnist for Ironman magazine, and longtime emcee of bodybuilding competitions during the Arnold Sports Festival.

“I tip my cap to Jim and Arnold for finding yet another way to improve this fantastic weekend,” Teper said.  “Arnold and Jim made history when they launched these competitions in 1989, and they’re doing it again by bringing back previous winners for a tribute to their victories.”

“Arnold and I are honored that these men and women have competed here, and have helped focus worldwide attention on Columbus,” Lorimer said.  “We will recognize and honor these legends during the 20th Anniversary Arnold Classic, and we’ll give Columbus fans the unprecedented opportunity to meet all the winners at the same time.”

All 12 winners of the Arnold Classic since 1989 have confirmed they will return to the Veterans Memorial Auditorium stage on Saturday, March 1.  

Winners in multiple years include Flex Wheeler, 1993, 1997, 1998, and 2000; Jay Cutler, 2002, 2003, 2004; Kevin Levrone, 1994, 1996; and Dexter Jackson, 2005, 2006.  Other winners are Rich Gaspari, 1989; Mike Ashley, 1990; Shawn Ray, 1991; Vince Taylor, 1992; Michael Francois, 1995; Nasser El Sonbaty, 1999; Ronnie Coleman, 2001; and, Victor Martinez, 2007.

Four women who have each been three-time winners of the Ms. International have confirmed they will return for the reunion, including Laura Creavalle, 1990, 1994, 1995; Vicki Gates, 1999, 2000, 2001; Yaxeni Oriquen, 2002, 2003, 2005; and Iris Kyle, 2004, 2006, 2007.  Other women champions expected to attend are Kim Chizevsky, 1993, 1996, Yolanda Hughes, 1997, 1998; Jackie Paisley, 1989; and Anja Schreiner, 1992.

Prejudging for the Arnold Classic is noon Saturday, March 1, followed by the men’s finals at 7pm, on the main stage in Veterans Memorial Auditorium.  Prejudging for Ms International, as well as the Fitness International and Figure International women’s contests will be at noon Friday, February 29, on the EXPO Stage in Hall D, Greater Columbus Convention Center.  Finals for all three women’s contests will be at 7 p.m. at Veterans Memorial.

Tickets for the men’s prejudging and men’s and women’s finals are $50 and $75. A $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness EXPO includes access to the women’s events prejudging and many other competitions and events. A VIP ticket package is available for $350, which includes all men’s and women’s competitions, a buffet dinner party, a fitness training seminar with Arnold and the 2008 winners, and three-day admission to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Tickets are available at the doors or from Ticketmaster, (614) 431-3600, or at www.ticketmaster.com/arnold.  

For more information see our website: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com

Columbus, OH - With 37 events and 12 Olympic sports, the 2008 Arnold Sports Festival presents fitness and fun for the entire family Feb. 29, March 1 & 2. Event co-producers California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and James Lorimer will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Arnold Classic, the professional bodybuilding competition that has grown into the world’s largest multi-sport fitness weekend.

Mark your calendar and tune in while Bodybuilding.com provides live coverage via webcast during the two major upcoming events. The 2008 Iron Man Pro and the 2008 Arnold Classic Sports Festival.  We will broadcast live coverage on stage and back stage during the events.

Friday, February 29th

6:30 P.M. EST - Ms. International, Fitness International & Figure International

Saturday, March 1st

11:30 A.M. EST - Men’s Bodybuilding Pre-Judging

6:30 P.M. EST - Men’s Bodybuilding Finals

Click Image To Enlarge.

Attending the Arnold weekend? Mark your calendar for March 1st. This is one after-bash you don’t want to miss. Jason Dhir puts on an awesome event every year.

If you’re interested in being a sponsor for this event - email me and I can get you more information.

Photo from last year’s event.

Check out more photos on getbig.com from last year’s party.

WHOA Gina! Gina Aliotti is definitely one of the favorites to take the 2008 Figure International title. Check out the interview with Gina on her sponsor’s website. Here is a photo of Gina 10 weeks out from the Arnold. Gina doesn’t stray from her diet too much in her off-season and as you can see looks great! Watch out for her in a few weeks, she could be your next Arnold Figure Champ.