2009 Arnold Blog

For Immediate Release: January 16, 2009

UFC® ANNOUNCES QUINTON “RAMPAGE” JACKSON vs. “THE DEAN OF MEAN” KEITH JARDINE

Live from the Nationwide Arena, Saturday March 7, 2009 – Tickets on Sale Now

Las Vegas, NV (USA) – Former UFC® Light Heavyweight Champion Quinton "Rampage" Jackson was at his devastating best last December as he settled his score with Wanderlei Silva via a chilling first round knockout. On Saturday, March 7, Jackson will look to move one step closer to regaining his title when he takes on the man who beat both Chuck Liddell and Forrest Griffin, Keith "The Dean of Mean" Jardine. For the third year in a row, the Ultimate Fighting Championship® is heading back to Columbus, Ohio for UFC 96: JACKSON vs. JARDINE, live from the Nationwide Arena on Saturday, March 7, 2009.

Fresh off his stunning knockout victory at UFC 92 over mixed martial arts legend Silva, the charismatic and always exciting Jackson (29-7, fighting out of Irvine, Calif.) is hot on the trail of new light heavyweight champ Rashad Evans. But first he’ll have to get by Evans’ teammate, Jardine.

“Keith Jardine is the Dean of Mean, but I’m new on the scene,” Jackson said. “I’m the new Rampage, and I’m on a quest to get my belt back.”

Standing in Jackson’s way is Jardine (14-5-1, fighting out of Albuquerque, N.M.). A hard-hitting and imposing fighter in the Octagon™ man who holds wins over former UFC light heavyweight champions Liddell and Griffin, as well as highly-regarded Brandon Vera, the native of Butte, Montana native is excited to be back in the main event at UFC 96.

“I’ve been fortunate to get big matches like this,” Jardine said. “I’m pretty excited and I didn’t hesitate to take it. I think it’s a great matchup and I expect that we both would want to stand up and throw powerful punches. It’s a can’t-miss with this fight.”

The UFC first arrived in Columbus for one historic night in March 2007 as Randy Couture beat Tim Sylvia and won the heavyweight crown for an unprecedented third time in the main event of UFC 68. The show’s gate, which surpassed $3 million, set a Nationwide Arena record; and the 19,000 fans who saw the fights live helped set a record for the highest North American attendance figure for a mixed martial arts event.

Last March, the UFC returned to Columbus as 15,300 people watched Anderson Silva successfully defend his middleweight title against then PRIDE® champion Dan Henderson. The star-studded matchup grossed a gate of $2.2 million at Nationwide. Tickets for UFC 96 are on sale and are priced at $350, $250, $150, $100, $60 and $35. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster locations, and by telephone at 800-929-1111 or 800-745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at ufc.com or www.ticketmaster.com.

UFC 96 will be available live on pay-per-view on iN DEMAND, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN, Bell ExpressVu, Shaw Communications and Viewer’s Choice Canada for a suggested retail price of $44.95 for standard definition or high-definition broadcasts (where available).

About The Ultimate Fighting Championship
The Ultimate Fighting Championship® is the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization and offers the premier series of MMA sports events. Owned and operated by Zuffa, LLC, and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nev., UFC® produces over twelve live pay-per-view events annually that are distributed residentially through North American cable and satellite providers including iNDEMAND Networks, DIRECTV, DISH Network, TVN Entertainment, Bell ExpressVU, SaskTel Max™, Shaw Pay-Per-View, Viewers Choice, and WOWOW in Japan, and via the Internet worldwide on Yahoo! Sports, and commercially through Joe Hand
Promotions in the U.S. and Canadastar in Canada. In addition to its North American distribution, UFC programming is distributed in over 100 countries and territories throughout the world. For more information, or current UFC fight news, visit ufc.com or uk.ufc.com or ufcespanol.com.

Ultimate Fighting Championship®, Ultimate Fighting®, UFC®, The Ultimate Fighter®, Submission®, As Real As It Gets®, Zuffa™, The Octagon™ and the eight-sided competition mat and cage design are registered trademarks, trademarks, trade dress or service marks owned exclusively by Zuffa, LLC in the United States and other jurisdictions. All other marks referenced herein may be the property of Zuffa, LLC or other respective owners.

Press Contact:
Jennifer Wenk, UFC Public Relations
702.221.4790
702.635.0995 (cell)
jwenk@ufc.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009

COLUMBUS, OHIO – USA Powerlifting, America’s premier Powerlifting Organization, will present an international powerlifting competition at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, (GCCC), March 6-8 as a part of the Arnold Sports Festival.

USA Powerlifting is the only US member of the International Powerlifting Federation (IPF) which is headquartered in Luxembourg. The IPF’s memberships include more than 6,000 men and women who compete with an organizational commitment to drug free performance.

Dr. Larry Maile, President of USA Powerlifting, commented, “USA Powerlifting is thrilled to return to the Arnold Sports Festival for our second year. We will showcase many of the world’s elite lifters from twelve different countries as they compete in the bench press, deadlift and squat.”

Competitions in the GCCC Grand Ballroom will include the CON-CRET Raw Challenge 8am-4pm Friday, March 6, and the Quest American Invitational 8am-4pm Saturday, March 7.

On the EXPO stage will be the GNC Pro Performance IPF Deadlift Championship from 4pm-6pm Saturday, and the IPF Titan Pro Bench Bash will be 10am-noon Saturday, March 7. Some of the many returning Champions and World Champions competing this year include:

• Mike Bridges, 2009 Hall of Fame Inductee
• Yukishima Fukishima, at 105 lbs., holds the world record with a bench press of 292 lbs.

       

• Siouxz Hartwig Gary, at 369 lbs., holds the overall world record
• Brad Gillingham, men’s deadlift champion lifted 859 lbs.
• Harriet Hall, age 60, 8x world champion, squats 600 lbs, and broke 40 world records
• Marcus Hirvonen, IPF bench presser of the year, at 275 lbs. lifted 771 lbs.
• Wade Hooper, at 165 lbs., set world record in squat with a lift of 777 lbs.
• Diasuke Midote, returning heavyweight overall winner, lifted 777 lbs.
• Christy Newman, world 165 lb. bench press champion, lifted 352 lbs.
• Priscilla Ribic, women’s deadlift champion and world record holder, lifted 529 lbs.
• Jennifer Thompson, at 132 lbs., world open bench champion, lifted 324 lbs.

Competitors to watch from Ohio include:

• Greg Page, Twinsburg, Ohio, IPF Master World Champion (lifting in the Quest Saturday)
• Dave Ricks, Dayton, Ohio World Champion (lifting in the Pro Deadlift Saturday)
• Jeremy Auerbach, Beachwood, Ohio (lifting in the CON-crete Raw Friday)
• John Hare, Cincinatti, Ohio (lifting in the CON-crete Raw Friday)
• Steve Howard, Toledo, Ohio (lifting in the CON-crete Raw Friday)
• Wade Liken, Girard, Ohio (lifting in the CON-crete Raw Friday)
• Bob Eucker, Avon Lake, Ohio (lifting in the Pro Deadlift Saturday)

Admission to powerlifting is included in a $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Tickets are available at the door or from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com/arnold.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The fourth annual Arnold USA Boxing Invitational Championships will showcase novice and open amateur boxing competitors. Men, women, and youth will compete in age and weight divisions at the Greater Columbus Convention Center as a part of the Arnold Sports Festival March 6-8.

Terrance “Tokey” Hill, an internationally recognized martial arts coach, six-time National Karate Champion, and the first American to ever win the World Karate Federation’s World Championships, co chairs the event. Hill is a former USA Olympic coach and Pan American coach. He received the distinguished “Coach of the Year” award for his teams’ performance at the 1999 Pan American Games.

“It will be an honor to welcome the region’s amateur boxers to the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival,” said Hill. “Special guests this year include former Heavyweight Champion of the World James “Buster” Douglas; Buster’s cousin and international female boxing sensation Vanessa Jackson; former USA Olympian Jerry Page; boxing legend and captain of the 1974 US national team, Vonzell Johnson; and, revered local coach Mike Johnson.

The Arnold USA Boxing Invitational Championships will include workshops and award presentations including a $2000 scholarship to the best boxer presented by the Columbus Rotary and Arnold Sports Festival.

Admission to the boxing is included in a $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Tickets are available at the door or from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com/arnold. For more information see our website: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009

COLUMBUS, OHIO – More than a thousand of the nation’s elite competitive youth dancesport athletes will compete at the two day Arnold Juvenile, Junior, Youth, and Collegiate Danceport Classic March 7 & 8, 2009 at the Arnold Sports Festival.

“Each year the Arnold Youth Dancesport Classic grows in size and scope. We are especially thrilled to welcome a key contingent of youth dancesport athletes of grade school age who compete here each year,” said Sam Sodano, event chair.

An international competition featuring US dance couples vs. Canadian dance couples will be presented throughout the event inside the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.”

Cash prizes will be awarded to the top 6 Juniors Studios and Colleges. The Juvenile, Junior and Youth will receive dance scholarships.

Admission to the Arnold Youth Dancesport Classic is included in a $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Tickets are available at the door or from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com/arnold.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009

COLUMBUS, OHIO – A youth wrestling state championship tournament will take center stage when the Arnold Wrestling Challenge is held Sunday, March 8 in Nationwide Arena.

The Ohio United Regional Wrestling Association for Youth (OURWAY) will hold its state championships during the Arnold Wrestling Challenge. OURWAY is a statewide youth wrestling organization that strives to build a feeder system for middle school and high school programs by developing youth wrestlers in a competitive environment that stresses fun, sportsmanship and pride.

The event features five age divisions: 6-under, 7-8, 9-10, 11-12 and 13-14. Individual awards will be presented to the top eight finishers in each category. Top finishers also qualify for the NUWAY national competition.

“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 destinations - Nationwide Arena," tournament coordinator Paul Bukky said. “The Arnold Sports Festival will again provide the perfect backdrop for both the OURWAY State Championships.”

Admission is included in a $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Tickets are available at the door or from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com/arnold. For more information, visit www.ourwaywrestling.com or www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Current and former Olympic gold medal winners will make guest appearances March 6-8 to inspire competitors ranging in age from 8-35+ in the Arnold Weightlifting Championships at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

This year’s competitions are sanctioned by USA Weightlifting and will include:

• The Arnold International Weightlifting Invitational, where the world’s best will compete for prize money, Friday and Saturday, March 6-7.
• New this year, Masters Lifting Invitational for lifters 35 years & older on Friday, March 6.
• Arnold’s Champions of Tomorrow, for lifters 8-20 years, Saturday and Sunday, March 7-8.
• Also new this year is the WerkSan National High School Team Challenge, where the top High School men’s and women’s team each win a barbell set, Sunday, March 8.

The competitions will consist of the two classic lifts used in the Olympics, the snatch and the clean & jerk. The snatch is a lift from the floor to overhead in one, continuous movement. The clean & jerk is a two-part lift from the floor to the shoulders and then jerked overhead.

Also in attendance will be many past and present Olympians from the US and abroad including: A contingent from Germany; 2008 Gold Medalist Matthias Steiner, his teammates Almir Velagic, Juergen Spiess, their coaches and 2-Time Olympic Medalist Marc Huster. Weightlifting legends Tommy Kono (2-Time Olympic Medalist, Mr. World & Mr. Universe) and Joe Dube (last US
Superheavyweight World Champion) will be honored in a special presentation.

Admission is included in a $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Tickets are available at the door or from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com/arnold. For more information visit: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Killerspin Table Tennis World Tour and the College Team Championships will highlight the sixth-annual Arnold Table Tennis Challenge, a three-day table tennis extravaganza at the Arnold Sports Festival.

Killerspin, the leading promoter of table tennis in the United States, will have world-caliber players – including Biba Golic (Serbia), Kang Kang Huant (Singapore), Eric Owners (United States) and Ilija Lupulesku (United States) – on hand for the Killerspin Table Tennis World Tour, set for Saturday, March 7 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The event, set for noon to 6 pm, features elite players pitted against each other in fiercely competitive matches. The finals of the competition will be held at 2 pm on Sunday, March 8.

The College Team Championships will be held from 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday, March 8 in a unique event that pits collegiate teams against each other.

On Friday, March 6, Senior Olympic Table Tennis Competition will be held from 11 am to 3 pm in conjunction with the Arnold Sports Festival’s Active Aging Festival. Opening day will also feature the Recreational Ping Pong Championships for all ages from noon to 5 pm and open play for all from 1 pm to 5 pm.

In addition, other USA Table Tennis-sanctioned play will be held from 9 am to 8 pm on Saturday, March 7 and from 9 am to 3 pm on Sunday, March 8.

Admission to the Arnold Table Tennis Challenge is included in a $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Tickets are available at the door or from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com/arnold. For more information visit: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Derek Poundstone of the United States, runner-up in both the 2008 World’s Strongest Man and the 2008 Arnold Strongman Classic; Mikhail (“Misha”) Koklyaev of Russia, whose accomplishments in both Weightlifting and Strongman make him perhaps the greatest strength athlete in the world; and former “World’s Strongest Man” champion Phil Pfister of the U.S. highlight an international field of elite strength athletes at the 2009 Arnold Strongman Classic.

The 8th annual Arnold Strongman Classic will crown a new champion for the first time in seven years as six-time defending champion Zydrunas Savickas of Lithuania will take a year off from competition before returning to the Arnold Strongman Classic in 2010. Savickas has won every Arnold Strongman competition except for the inaugural event in 2002, which was won by Mark Henry of the United States.

U.S. athletes invited to the Classic include Poundstone (Waterbury, Conn), Pfister (Charleston, W. Va.), Travis Ortmayer (Cypress, Texas), Brian Siders (Charleston, W. Va.) and Dave Ostlund (Edina, Minn.).

International invitees include Koklyaev (Russia), Andrus Merumets (Estonia), Vidas Blekaitis (Lithuania), Ervin Katona (Serbia) and Oleksandr Pekanov (Ukraine). Mariusz Pudzianowksi of Poland, who won the “World’s Strongest Man” title for a record fifth time in 2008, has been invited to compete as well. The invite will remain open until the competition begins, would result in a rare 11-man field if the three-time Arnold competitor accepts, event director Dr. Terry Todd said.

In 2008. Savickas, of Lithuania, won two events en route to capturing the 7th annual Arnold Strongman Contest for his sixth straight title. Savickas earned a $40,000 check from Gerard Dente of MHP, a $25,000 Audemars Piquet watch from Robert Ronan, the Louis Cyr bronze trophy and congratulations from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

The approximately $75,000 total prize package for the winner of the 2008 Arnold Strongman Classic was the largest ever given in the sport.

The 2009 Arnold Strongman Classic will be held March 6-7 during the Arnold Sports Festival at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The final event will be held March 7 at Franklin County Veterans Memorial.

The 2009 Arnold Strongman Classic athletes will compete in six brutal strength events for more than $150,000 in awards, the coveted $10,000 bronze statue of legendary strongman Louis Cyr and the right to be known as the Strongest Man in the World.

Events in the 2009 Arnold Strongman Contest include:

1. Timber Carry – In this event, also known as the Farmer’s Walk, contestants lift 865 lbs. of barn timbers bolted together around them. They have 30 sec. to carry the 865 lb load up a 32 ft. inclined ramp.
2. Manhood Stones – Contestants lift round stones weighing up to 530 pounds over a bar approximately 50 inches high.
3. Apollon’s Wheel –This unique barbell was made famous by turn-of-the-century strongman Louis “Apollon” Uni. The barbell resembles two train wheels welded (weights do not rotate) to a thick bar (1.92 inches in diameter) for a total weight of 366 lbs. Contestants will lift the wheels from the floor to overhead as many times as possible in two minutes.
4. Tire Deadlift – Contestants will lift a specially designed 14 foot long bar weighted with tires and metal plates. Each tire weighs approximately 100 lbs, and the beginning weight will be at least 700 lbs.
5. The Heavy Yoke – Contestants will carry across their shoulders a bar/yoke weighing 1,116 pounds for approximately 36 feet in a timed event.
6. Circus Dumbbell – Contestants will lift a replica of the stage dumbbells used over a hundred years ago by professional strongmen such as Apollon and Cyr. The dumbbell weighs 202 lbs. and has a very thick handle—3 inches in diameter. The men will lift the dumbbell to their shoulders with two hands on each rep but they can only use one hand at a time to lift the dumbbell overhead. The challenge is to lift the bell to arm’s length as many times as possible in 90 seconds.

“The Arnold Strongman Contest has been growing in popularity every year, and we are very excited that the world’s best strongmen will return to compete in the Arnold Strongman Classic again,” said Jim Lorimer, Arnold Sports Festival co-producer. “This is one of the best lineups of Strongman athletes that we’ve had in seven years, and I guarantee that these gentlemen will again astonish the crowds with simply unbelievable feats of strength.”

Admission to the Arnold Strongman Classic is included in the $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness Expo, set for March 6-8 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. Admission to the Arnold Strongman Classic finals requires a separate ticket. Tickets are available at the door or from Ticketmaster, (614) 431-3600, or at www.ticketmaster.com/arnold.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009

COLUMBUS, OHIO – The Arnold Strength Training Summit provides the latest science in sports nutrition, strength and testing. The summit is part of the Arnold Sports Festival March 6-8.

“It’s where theory and practice come together,” said Dave Sandler, Strength Training Summit chairman and president of StrengthPro Inc. “Although the seminars are for everyone, strength coaches and personal trainers particularly will have an excellent opportunity to expand their skills. We are in a unique position to study and learn from top athletes all gathered in one place. Then we’ll be able to see results in action during 37 weekend events.”

Participants will learn how to achieve maximum fitness and performance goals, Sandler said. In its sixth year, the Strength Summit will provide workshops grouped around specific “lecture blocks” that will feature topics such as endurance, strength development, nutrition & supplements, mixed training methods, Youth Strength and Conditioning, Emergency Responder, and Endurance.

Several registration options from a one-day package at $75 to an all access Summit and Weekend VIP package for $450. Some student rates are available. A separate registration is available for the Speed Power Specialist, Physique & Fitness Certification and Personal Business Training Business course. Ask about available CEUs/CECs.

For more information visit www.StrengthPro.com or call David Sandler at 1-800-255-1017.

Weekend champions, renowned fitness, figure and bikini competitors, Las Vegas entertainment, and LA “spinmaster” DJ James “Big Daddy” Moorer and Chicago’s Jesse De La Tena

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Shake it up, Turn it up, and Mix it up on the Arnold Party with the Pros Red Carpet Saturday night, March 7, 2009 beginning at 9 pm at Columbus’s LC Pavilion. The new official “after hours party” for the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival, will dazzle Columbus with extravagant entertainment, an unparalleled VIP guest list, including LA “spinmaster” Big Daddy Moorer and Chicago’s Jesse De La Tena. Grab your chance to star on the “Must Be Seen” Party with the Pros Cam.

The Arnold Party with the Pros will erupt Saturday evening, March 7, 2009, at the LC Pavilion, 405 Neil Avenue, across from Nationwide Arena in the Arena District. “Fire & Ice” is the central theme of the evening featuring fire eating performers, live music & entertainment, and an awesome array of athletes from 17 sports permeating every room at LC Pavilion and the adjoining House of Crave.

In-house screens will rebroadcast the 2009 Arnold Classic, highlight show-stopping star arrivals and live entertainers including the Terminator, Conan, the amazing Bubble Man, High-Jinks Stilt Walkers, Frank Zane & the Dave Bott Band, and Divide.

The weekend’s namesake and top weekend personalities will be among VIP attendees. The countdown to the Arnold Party with the Pros will begin backstage at the Arnold Classic as bodybuilding champions and super size strongmen move through their routines to arrive in time for the mesmerizing 11 pm live performance of Rob Surette, the World’s Fastest Portrait Artist.

Free shuttle buses will transport people from the Veterans Memorial venue for the Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition to the LC Pavilion. Party with the Pros tickets and VIP Ticket Packages are available through Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com/arnold or 800-745-3000. General admission is $25. Doors open at 9 pm and the event wraps up at 2:30 am. Further information is available through www.arnoldpartywiththepros.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009

COLUMBUS, OHIO – For 12 years martial artists from all around have converged on the city of Columbus to test their skills at the Arnold Martial Arts Festival March 6-8 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

With more than 3,000 men, women and youth expected to compete in 26 martial arts disciplines the Arnold Martial Arts Festival has become the largest martial arts event in the Midwest.

“The 2009 Arnold Martial Arts Festival will be incredible,” said festival director, Terrence ‘Tokey’ Hill. “This year we’ve improved the festival by listening to what the participants and fans had to say. We’ve added disciplines to include as much of the martial arts community as possible and changed our host hotel so we’re closer to the convention center.” Hill added.

“The Arnold Martial Arts Festival showcases athletes at all levels and abilities, on a world-level stage, in events sanctioned by the National Governing Bodies for Olympic Sports. We annually welcome representatives from USA Tae Kwon Do, USA National Karate Federation, USA Judo, and Chinese styles are also well represented.” said Hill. “Students who train at community centers, schools and dojos will compete in a major event, with an opportunity to learn from some the best martial artists in the world.” Hill added.

Directing the grappling portion of the festival, John Saylor said, “The Arnold World Grappling Championship features the submission arts including ju jitsu, catch wrestling and judo. We’re a NAGA (North American Grappling Association) ranked event with more than 300 gi and no-gi divisions. The No-gi absolute winner will take home $1000 and a championship belt. On Sunday UFC veteran Jorge Gurgel will conduct a no-gi submission grappling seminar”.

Hill is a six-time national karate champion and is the first American to win a world level gold medal in karate. He was Olympic Coach of the year in 1999. Saylor is a three-time national judo champion, and was coach of the U.S. national judo training squad at the Olympic Training Center for seven years. He was US Judo Association Coach of the Year in 1987.

A highlight of festival has always been the elite martial arts celebrities, including UFC superstars, who come to demonstrate their secrets to success in the Friday workshop and seminars session at the Arnold Martial Arts Festival headquarters hotel, the Holiday Inn Downtown Capital Square.

This year’s seminar and workshop instructors include:

Dana White President of the UFC will be on hand Friday for a Q & A session with special guest, former UFC Heavyweight Champion, Randy Couture.

Shonie Carter will be covering subjects in mixed martial arts that include Thai kickboxing, Greco-Roman wrestling and Judo with elements of catch wrestling as taught to him by Tony Ceccine. He has been featured on Spike TV’s The Ultimate Fighter Season 4, and has won many world titles in mixed martial arts, national titles in kickboxing and Olympic pankration and is a former all-American wrestler.

Kevin Kearns will be demonstrating the training techniques used by some of today’s top mixed martial artist athletes like Kenny Florian, Stephen Bonnar and Mark Dellgatto. Kearns fitness series is designed to elevate core strength, stamina and show techniques. Two hours of extremeconditioning will give participants an approach they use every day in the gym.

Jason David Frank is a world renowned actor who played Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger, in the original series The Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. Currently he holds a 6th degree black belt and owns/operates 4 successful martial arts schools that specialize in changing and influencing the lives of kids and adults, in a positive manner, through the martial arts. Frank will be conducting a free seminar on Muay Thai kickboxing. He has earned the title of “Kru” in the art of Muay Thai from Master Toddy, who has trained over 40 world Muay Thai Champions. Fans will also have a chance to receive a free autographed photo that he will be handing out.

Admission to the Arnold Martial Arts Festival is included in a $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Tickets are available at the door or from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com/arnold. For more information visit: www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 2009

COLUMBUS, OHIO – Gymnasts from across the country will gather in Columbus for the 9th Annual Arnold Gymnastics Challenge March 6-8 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The Arnold Gymnastics Challenge is the largest mixed meet (boys & girls) in the United States.

The event features more than 3,500 youths as well as demonstrations by three-time U.S. Olympian and five-time national champion Blaine Wilson, two-time U.S. Olympian, contributed to the teams bronze medal in 2008 Raj Bhavsar, former U.S. Olympic rhythmic gymnast Olga Karmansky and the national power Ohio State University men’s gymnastics team, headed by
coach Miles Avery.

Boys and girls compulsory and optional competitions will be held on Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7, with events finals scheduled for Sunday, March 8. The Columbus Rotary and Arnold Sports Festival will present a $2,000 college scholarship to the top boys and girls competitor.

"The Arnold Gymnastics Challenge allows every youngster an opportunity to perform in front of an enthusiastic audience,” said Tim Willson, event director and owner of Cyclone Gymnastics. “It’s wonderful that the young gymnasts get to see their heroes perform. Willson added.

Admission to the Arnold Gymnastics Challenge is included in a $10 daily ticket to the Arnold Fitness EXPO. Tickets are available at the door or from Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000, or www.ticketmaster.com/arnold. For more information visit  www.cyclonegymnastics.org and
www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.