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One of the most lauded events in fitness, the Arnold Sports Festival, is set to occur from March 2-5, 2023, in its one and only home of Columbus, OH. Since its inception in 1989 (as only a bodybuilding show), the event has grown to include over 50 sporting events, an expo, and plenty of sightings from the show’s namesake — seven-time Mr. Olympia, Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Typically, the stand-out events for fans are the Arnold Classic (or AC, and the other bodybuilding events) and the Arnold Strongman Classic (ASC). For fans who can’t attend the event in person, they can purchase a $59.99 pay-per-view with FanMio. It can be played on any Apple device, as well as on an Android TV, Google TV, and Amazon’s Fire TV.
2023 ASF Event Schedule
Below is an abbreviated (yup, that’s abbreviated) schedule for the 2023 Arnold Sports Festival. Head to the ASF’s website for a complete schedule.
Thursday, March 2
USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
IFBB Pro League Meet & Greet, from 7 – 9 p.m., Hilton Columbus Downtown
Friday, March 3
Arnold Amateur, from 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Battelle Grand
USA Powerlifting, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — C-Pod
USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 10 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Union Station Ballroom
Arnold Expo, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
Arnold Strongman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
Arnold Strongwoman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
Classic Physique Prejudging, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
Fitness International Prejudging, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
Wellness International Prejudging, from 12:30 – 2 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
Wellness International Finals, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
Fitness International Finals, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
Arnold Classic Prejudging, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
Classic Physique Finals, from 7 – 9:30 p.m., Battelle Grand
Saturday, March 4
USA Powerlifting, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — C-Pod
USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 8p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Union Station Ballroom
Arnold Expo, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
Pro Wheelchair Prejudging & Finals, from 10 – 11 a.m. Arnold Expo Stage
Arnold Strongman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Strongman Area
Arnold Strongwoman Classic, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Strongman Area
Men’s Physique Prejudging, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
Bikini International Prejudging, from 11 a.m. – 12 p.m., Arnold Expo Stage
Men’s Physique Finals, from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m., Battelle Grand
Arnold Classic Finals, from 7 – 10 p.m., Battelle Grand
Bikini International Finals, from 7 – 10 p.m., Battelle Grand
Sunday, March 5
USA Powerlifting, from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — C-Pod
USA Weightlifting, from 8 a.m. – 8p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Union Station Ballroom
Arnold Expo, from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Columbus Convention Center
Rogue Record Breakers, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Columbus Convention Center — Strongman Area
Some expected top contenders for the Men’s Open portion of the 2023 AC include Nick Walker, Mamdouh “Big Ramy” Elssbiay, and Andrew Jacked. There will be a $300,000 prize for the victor.
Here is the complete Men’s Open roster for the 2023 AC:
2023 Arnold Classic | Men’s Open Roster
As for the 2023 ASC, reigning two-time World’s Strongest Man (WSM) Tom Stoltman and 2018 World’s Strongest Woman (WSW) champion Andrea Thompson headline the Men’s and Women’s rosters, respectively. They are as follows:
2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Roster | Men
*Note: Faires is replacing Maxime Boudreault, who broke a shin bone in February 2023.
2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Roster | Women
Tamara Walcott (U.S. Virgin Islands)
Andrea Thompson (United Kingdom)
Olga Liashchuk (Ukraine)
Inez Carrasquillo (Puerto Rico)
Melissa Peacock (Canada)
Hannah Linzay (United States)
Nadia Stowers (United States)
Victoria Long (United States)
Samantha Belliveau (Canada)
Donna Moore (United Kingdom)
2023 Arnold Strongman Classic Events
Here are the events and schedule for the 2023 ASC:
Friday, March 3
Event One: Wheel of Pain
Event Two: The Austrian Oak
Saturday, March 4
Event Three: Elephant Bar Deadlift
Event Four: Unspunnen Stone Throw
Event Five: Frame Carry
With defending ASC champion Martins Licis and runner-up Oleksii Novikov not participating, it could be anyone’s contest to win on the Men’s side. Meanwhile, for the Women, Thompson might face a stiff challenge from 2022 WSW winner Olga Liashchuk and three-time WSW winner Donna Moore (2016-2017, 2019).
The annual ASF acts as its own celebration of fitness and strength. The competitors in the 2023 AC and 2023 ASC should likely live up to that lofty objective.
Featured image: @nick_walker39 on Instagram
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