Arnold Sports Festival Columbus Celebrating 30 Years

Written/Photography by

Andrew Livelsberger

Background:
Celebrating 30 years of sports excellence, the Arnold Sports Festival returns to Columbus, OH March 1-4, 2018.   75 sports will be represented and new sports/exhibits will be introduced.


Impression:
You know we here at VisualOhio love the Arnold Sports Festival.  We have been attending the event long before we covered it professionally.  We've seen the event grow and change over time, just as we've seen different sports and athletes change over time.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has created a tradition, a welcoming atmosphere for the world of sports.  This annual, world wide event is something to behold.  A mecca of sorts, that we feel everyone should attend at least once in their life, if for no other reason to see the world in a different way.  A way that shows that varying sports and athletes from all kinds of backgrounds have a place.

Here is a sampling of some of our favorite images from over the years.  Please enjoy them and know that we love what we do and we love bringing you coverage of the event every year.

The 30th year will bring even more sports, hitting the 75 mark - including axe throwing and body painting being added this year.

Another Year At The Arnold Classic! 2014 Edition

Another Year At The Arnold!!

 

We were able to cover the Arnold Classic at the Columbus Convention Center again this year.

The vendors were there in full force as always, but the arm wrestling competition did not disappoint.  Both men and women divisions competed.  Awards were then given out by Hollywood stars and athletes, Jason Statham and Randy Couture.  Jason Statham was also there to receive an award for International Athlete of the Year 2014 for martial arts and diving.

Sponsors even needed a break to catch up on some work.  As packed as the venue was, you have to find the space where ever you can, even if it is next to a posing Arnold.

You can see here the hustle and bustle of the crowd outside the Expo entrance.  If you think this is busy, check out all the people on the inside watching bodybuilding, lifting, strongman, gymnastics and martial arts competitions!

There were even living artist shows at the Convention Center.

The squat competition was fierce and these lifters gave their all in the main hallway area.

These martial artists were entertaining themselves while they had some downtime between competitions.

The strongman competitors left their all out on the stage.  Some left more than others as we were approaching weights of over 1000lbs on some lifts.  The image above helped some of these super strong athletes rid their hands of skin!  These are some serious weights.

If you missed the Arnold Classic this year, don't fret as you will have another chance to see all this and much more at next years action packed event.