2009 Arnold Blog

The 2009 4th Annual Arnold Boxing Invitational Championships will showcase beginner to elite level USA Amateur boxers in a USA Boxing sanctioned competition. We have added another RING and ready to start the competition.

Friday March 6th, 3:00 - 6:00, Former World Heayweight Champion of the World James Buster Douglas will be appearing to welcome youth amateur boxers and to introduce USA Boxing team member Vanessa Jackson.

More info click here.

My goals for the AC Figure International are to come in how my fans want to see me- conditioned and a bit more blonde! Ha!
This will mark my 15th (straight!) time at the AC Expo to work and my 8th time to be on stage between Fitness and Figure! Hard to believe I have made so many years in a row..  time flies!

I am honored to be invited and looking forward to seeing everyone again throughout the show!

Please visit my ‘On Tour’ section of my site to find out exactly what booth(s) I’ll be — might change at the last minute before the show!
Can’t wait!

Stay Fit, Love Life & God Bless U!!
Monica Brant-Peckham
www.monicabrant.com
www.femcamp.net
www.MOJOWellnessPros.com

For more on the Arnold click here.

Monica Brant-Peckham

Professional mixed martial artist and television star Shonie "Mr. International" Carter will present a special seminar at the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival.

Carter’s lecture will feature Thai-style kickboxing, throws, Judo and catch-style wrestling. It will be held Friday, March 6 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

"I have been to the Arnold Sports Festival many times and am honored to be invited to teach a seminar during this year’s event," said Carter, of Chicago. "Hopefully this is something we will be able to do every year."

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. More information go to UFC.com

Fencers ranging in age from 6-25 years of age gathered recently at Easton Towne Center in Columbus, Ohio to demonstrate their skills to hundreds of on lookers.

They will be competing in the Regional Youth Circuit fencing competition Saturday and Sunday March 7-8 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center as part of the Arnold Sports Festival. United States Olympic Medalists Mariel Zagunis and Sada Jacobson will be presenting the awards.

USA Powerlifting Championships at the Arnold Sports Festival will grow in 2009 as the popular strength competition is directed by USAPL for the second straight year.

USA Powerlifting, based in Columbia City, Ind., has more than 5,500 members who compete in an organization that is committed to drug-free competitions. The group is also the only U.S. member of the International Powerlifting Federation, the oldest and largest governing body for the sport of powerlifting. The IPF, founded in 1971, has members in more than 100 countries.

The USA Powerlifting Championships will again consist of four events: GNC Pro Performance IPF Deadlift Championship; IPF Titan Pro Bench Bash; NAPF Quest American International; and CON-CRET/NutraCea Raw Challenge. All events will take place during the Arnold Sports Festival, March 6-8 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

USA Powerlifting president Dr. Larry Maile said this year’s event will feature approximately 155 athletes, up from 125 in 2009.

“It is a once in a lifetime experience for our athletes to come to the Arnold Sports Festival and compete in an event that features more than 17,000 athletes and 150,000 spectators,” Maile said.

Among the feature competitors will be Yukako Fukushima of Japan, ranked No. 1 in the world in the bench press. Fukishima, who weighs 105 pounds, has a career-best bench press of 295 pounds. “That is just insane,” Maile said.

Other athletes to watch include Daniel Williams in the NAPF Quest American International; Tony Reid and Ellen Stein in the CON-CRET/NutraCea Raw Challenge; and defending champions Brad Gillingham and Priscilla Ribic in the GNC Pro Performance IPF Deadlift Championship.

In addition to a larger field, Maile is proud to welcome Eleiko Sport of Sweden on board as an overall event sponsor. The equipment manufacturer has been active in the sport since the company was founded in 1957. Supplement provider CON-CREAT is also a new sponsor for 2009.

“We have done a great deal of work around sponsorship issues this year in an attempt to stage a better event in 2009,” Maile said. “Eleiko Sport will provide equipment and support money that will allow us to really add some value to the event for our competitors.”

For more information go to arnoldsportsfestival.com

The award was adopted by the Arnold Martial Arts Festival in 2007 in tribute to Chris Canning, an outstanding martial artist, who died an accidental death at the age of 15. The recipient will receive the honor in a special presentation held on the second day of competition. The award is a beautiful black piano finished plaque with the above proclamation inscribed in gold letters and personally presented to the recipient by martial arts legend and event chair, Master Tokey Hill.

Each year the award goes to the martial artist who demonstrates the following attributes during the competition:

    * Competes with honor and respect for their opponents
    * Demonstrates excellence in martial arts skill and technique
    * Conducts themselves in the manner of a world class competitor
    * Constantly exhibiting humility
    * Always seeking to raise the level of their performance without sacrificing their humanity in the process.

“For competing with honor and respect for the opponent, demonstrating excellence in martial arts techniques while showing a competitive spirit and a resolve to prevail regardless of the challenge. In so doing, you have brought honor and distinction to the martial arts, to your instructor, school, and the Arnold Martial Arts Festival. Given to the martial artist that exhibited confidence but maintained a humble demeanor, and who conducted themselves in an exemplary manner as an elite athlete and world class martial arts competitor."

This honor given on March 7, 2009, by
Tokey Hill, World Champion 2009 Arnold Sports Festival Event Chairman;
K. Huunjin Cullen, 10th Dan Selection Committee Chairman; and
Arthur Canning, Chris Canning Foundation President.

Canning Award Application Form

More info

The Arnold is only 3 weeks away, get all your information about the Festival right here.

The 2009 Arnold Sports Festival, the world’s largest multi-sport fitness weekend, will be held March 6-8, featuring 38 events including 12 Olympic sports. Over 17,000 athletes will compete. Learn more here.

For information on Webcasts, results, reviews, pictures and more check out the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival Main Page right here.

2009 Arnold Classic, Ms. International, Fitness International and Figure International competitor listings;

Arnold Classic

Ahmad Haidar
Branch Warren
Dennis James
Gustavo Badell
Johnnie Jackson
Kai Greene
Marcus Haley
Moe Elmoussawi
Ronny Rockel
Sergey Shelestov
Silvio Samuel
Toney Freeman
Victor Martinez

Ms. International

Heather (Policky) Armburst
Dayana Cadeau
Iris Floyd Kyle
Maria Del Carmen Gomez
Rosemary Jennings
Debi Laszewski
Cathy LeFrancois
Mah-Ann Mendoza
Yaxeni Oriquen-Garcia
Betty Pariso
Brenda Raganot
Isabelle Turell
Betty Viana-Adkins
Dena Westerfield

Fitness International
Jessica Clay
Regiane Da Silva
Nicole Duncan
Tina Durkin
Heidi Fletcher-Sullivan
Bethany Gainey
Tracey Greenwood
Oksana Grishina
Jen Hendershott
Tanji Johnson
Shannon Meteraud
Mindi O’brien
Julie Palmer
Erin Riley
Trish Warren
Nicole Wilkins-Lee

Figure International

Gina Aliotti
Huong Arcinas
Monica Brant
Heather Mae French
Amy Fry
Adela Garcia
Jennifer Gates
Sonia (Adcock) Gonzales
Lenay Hernandez
Georgina Lona
Juliana Malacarne
Zivile Raudoniene
Kristal Richardson
Felicia Romero
Sherlyn Roy
Chastity Slone
Brenda Marie Smith
Erin Stern
Latisha Wilder

UFC fans will have something to cheer about at the Arnold Sports Festival, Friday, March 6, 2009 when UFC World Champion Randy Couture takes center stage at the Arnold Martial Arts Festival.

Couture’s historic background as a Greco-Roman wrestler, UFC Hall of Famer, and the only fighter to ever attain championship titles in both the heavyweight and light heavyweight divisions of the UFC, has well prepared him for the success he has earned as an athlete, actor, apparel leader, and author.

Couture is starring in the soon to be released highly anticipated Stallone film “The Expendables” with other notable action star including Jet Li (Fearless), Jason Statham (Transporter/The Bank Job), Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) and Forrest Whitaker (Last King of Scotland). Couture also starred in the award winning David Mamet film, Red Belt.

Couture will present a live training demonstration from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. with his friend and Arnold Sports Festival MC Fairfax Hackley.

UFC and martial arts aficionados will enjoy the rare opportunity to learn first hand about Couture’s training secrets. Couture will also be on hand to sign copies of his latest book, “Becoming The Natural”.

UFC President Dana White will take the mike at 1:30 p.m. for a thrilling Q & A with the Arnold Martial Art’s Festival audience. Questions will be submitted to event MC Hackley and White will answer live to the full house crowd. UFC 96 Jackson vs. Jardine will take center stage Saturday night at Columbus’s Nationwide Arena.

More Information click here

This event is not open to the public and RSVP is required, so if your a distributor, health/nutrition store or a gym then this event is for you so make your reservation today.

If you plan on attending please RSVP to michael@gasparinutrition.com with how many are in your party.

There will also be a nutritious lunch buffet available.

The Arnold Cheerleading and Dance Nationals will host 4,500 youth through collegiate competitors in cheerleading and dance team performance. Each team competes for top prize money and award recognition. Youth perform in the cheer & dance divisions for All-Star, Rec, Youth, Special Olympic, Open, and Collegiate Team divisions. In 2009 this event will be held at Franklin County Veterans Memorial.

This event is presented by U.S.Spirit and Brain Hallam. Go to us-spirit.com for more information.

Tickets also available at Veterans Memorial March 6 - 8, 2009.

For more information go to arnoldsportsfestival.com

Another Arnold Sports Festival and another weekend of awesome martial arts workshops and seminars. This year at The Arnold Martial Arts Festival there was no holding back. There are going to be some of the greatest martial arts athletes, teachers and trainers from around the world at the festival this year and a line up of workshops and seminars to keep you busy all weekend, so get out to the Arnold and check it out.

Here are some of the workshops and seminars tha are already lined up to be there:

Joe Lewis *7:00 - 8:00 pm*

The Arnold Martial Arts Festival (especially Tokey Hill) welcomes a LIVING LEGEND… 10th DAN Grandmaster and Former WORLD Karate/Kickboxing Champion, Joe Lewis!

UFC’s Shonie Carter *7:00 - 8:00 pm*

SC’s MMA knowledge and techniques at a SUPER low Arnold price… the man has SERIOUS info to share, you may want to listen… Marine’s usually don’t mess around.

A seminar by none other than Shonie Carter featured on the Spike TV’s The Ultimate Fighter season 4 ” The Comeback” and BET’s “the Iron Ring”. Shonie has accomplished many World titles in MMA and National Titles in Kickboxing and Olympic Pankration and former All-American Wrestler.

Kevin Kearns *5:00 - 6:00 pm*

MMA fitness, $270.00 worth of DVD’s and Elite training for the FIRE-SALE price of $99.00

Kevin is offering a SPECIAL Arnold package that is too good to pass up… Two hours of elite MMA training (a $150.00 value) , ALL 4 of the Burn with Kearns conditioning DVD’s (a $120.00 value)… Its PRACTICALLY FREE!!!

Kru Jason David Frank *6:00 - 7:00 pm*

Workshop: Muay Thai Kickboxing

Jason David Frank is a world renowned actor, martial artist, and philanthropist. As a martial strict he began his training at the young age of 4 and hasn’t stopped yet. 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. As a teenager he was given the opportunity to pursue a dream of becoming an actor.

Soke Kevin Cullen – Sharing 36 years of Goju *5:00 - 6:00 pm*

Workshop: SOFT DEFEATS STRONG SEMINAR

Grandmaster Kevin Cullen has always been into old school traditional full contact bare knuckle karate. No pads of any kind were ever worn. His work ethic was simple, take every new technique learn and later that day perform it at least 500 times. So, 6 new waza meant 3,000 techniques before he would retire that evening. As a result of this type of dedication on separate occasions Mr. Cullen was invited by Kyoshi Yamazaki and the recently departed Hidetaka Nishiyama to move into their respective dojos to become their dojo deshi private student. In the case of Nishiyama, he had plans for Cullen to become his next Chuck Norris world champion.

Master Chen Youze – Chinese Weapons *6:00 - 7:00 pm*

Workshop: Chinese Weapons

Evening at the Holiday Inn Downtown Capital Square, Master Chen will be sharing his knowledge in a workshop. This intermediate/elite workshop would normally cost HUNDREDS but for the 2009 Arnold, Master Chen is offering the workshop for $50.00. This 1 hr workshop will show the student some of the skills that the Chen Family has learned and passed on for 20 generations AND that Master Chen Youze’s 3000 students are already learning.

Hill Brothers *9:00 - 10:00 pm*

Workshop: Pankration Revolution

Masters Ron and James Hill, better known as the Hill Brothers, will share over 50 combined years of martial arts experience. The Hill Brothers wear many hats in the martial arts industry as gym owners, instructors, coaches, organization heads, promoters, combat sports managers (Professional and Amateur), and ISCF/IKF Representatives/Judges. The Hill Brothers are the Team USA National Pankration Coaches for the USAFPA, under President Dave Sixel, and FILA Wrestling organizations.

Ron Chapél - Kenpo *8:00 - 9:00 pm*

SubLevel Kenpo Concepts explores the side of Kenpo that few have ever seen. Taught from an anatomical based perspective, it includes Anatomical Structure Theory, Control Manipulation Theory, Cavity Presses, Destructive Sequencing, cultivation of internal energy, among others. In particular, it relies on an in-depth understanding and knowledge of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation relative to the dynamics of human combat interaction.

Dr. Shie-Ming Hwang - Taiji Push Hands *8:00 - 9:00 pm*

Dr. Shie-Ming Hwang is a Grandmaster of Taiji and Kungfu including Shaolin, Praying Mantis, Baji, Baqua, and Piqua.  Dr. Hwang has practiced the Chinese Martial Arts for over 50 years and taught the arts for 40 years, including the last 36 years in the United States.

For more information and registration go to arnoldmartialarts.com

All Workshops and Seminars at the Arnold Martial Arts Festival headquarters hotel - Holiday Inn Downtown Capital Square
Friday, March 6, 2009