The Arnold Classic – A tale of two federations and seven events.
The Arnold Classic, is an event, created by Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the late Jim Lorimer.
Arnold and Jim, worked together promoting a number of bodybuilding events, such as the IFBB World Pro Championships. In 1989, after a run of a number of successful events, Arnold and Jim, teamed up to create the Arnold Classic, with the first edition taking place in 1989. Rich Gaspari went on to win the first event.
The Arnold Classic grew to become one of bodybuilding’s biggest events, second only to the Mr. Olympia. The Arnold Classic was an invitational, meaning the best athletes in the world would be invited to participate in the event.
While a number of bodybuilders would never go on to win the Mr. Olympia, winning the Arnold Classic was regarded as their greatest accomplishment during their bodybuilding careers. Winning the event, and having Arnold himself hand over the trophy, is the dream of every athlete.
As the event started to gain popularity, and grow in size, Arnold decided to include an expo, changing the event to the Arnold Sports Festival. The event would cater to numerous sport disciplines, and of course, the main event, which would be the Arnold Classic.
As the years went on, the Arnold Classic, would introduce the Arnold Classic Amateur, giving the opportunity to the best bodybuilding and fitness athletes, from all over the world, to compete on this prestigious stage.
In 2011, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer, decided that the Arnold brand should become an international event, expanding this great event to other countries.
The Arnold Classic Europe (2011 to present)
In 2011, the first edition of the Arnold Classic Europe took place in Spain, organized by IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja, and his wife Nieves.
The Arnold Classic Europe, would grow to become Arnold Schwarzenegger’s biggest, and most successful international event for his company.
Arnold’s partnership with IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja, would continue to grow, just as the event grew into Europe’s biggest bodybuilding and fitness event.
Just as the USA edition of the Arnold Classic, the Arnold Classic Europe, turned into a very successful expo, catering to numerous sporting events. The expo was also an excellent hub for numerous companies to promote their brands.
Victor Martinez won the first Arnold Classic Europe event in 2011. In 2023, The Arnold Classic Europe is celebrating its 13th edition, taking place in Madrid, 13-15 October, 2023.
From 2011 to 2017, the professional event was an IFBB Professional League event, and the amateur event was sanctioned by the IFBB.
2017 would be the last year the IFBB Professional League sanctioned the event in Europe, due to the split between IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja, and NPC President Jim Manion. Jim Manion would continue to run the NPC/IFBB Professional League, while IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja, would continue expand the IFBB into the biggest bodybuilding federation in the world, a task that Rafael’s predecessor, the late Ben Weider dedicated his life to.
IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja, and Jim Manion, might not be working together any longer, but they are both respected by Arnold Schwarzenegger. After the split between IFBB and NPC, Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to work with both federations. It was alleged that originally, Arnold was going to work exclusively with Rafael Santonja, but a last minute decision, convinced him to split his events between two federations.
Dr. Rafael Santonja and his executive committee, launched the IFBB Elite Pro division at the end of 2017, a professional platform, giving the opportunity to IFBB amateur athletes, to compete on the professional stage. The first edition of the IFBB Elite Pro Arnold Classic Europe, was organized in 2018. Michal Krizio would go on to dominate this event.
Fast forward to 2023, the Arnold Classic Europe is still regarded as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s most successful international event, attracting over 1000 amateur athletes every year, and hosting the IFBB Elite Pro’s World Championship event.
Arnold Classic Brazil (2013-2018) – Arnold Classic South America (2019 to present)
After the success in Europe, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer, decided to expand to another continent, and add the Arnold Classic Brazil to their list of events.
The event was sanctioned by the IFBB Professional League, and the IFBB for the amateur, from 2013-2018.
Arnold Schwarzenegger teamed up with promoters, Savaget Promotions of Sáo Paulo, Brazil, to run this event.
Arnold Schwarzenegger worked with both Jim Manion, and Rafael Santonja, until 2017, but for the 2018 edition of the Arnold Classic Brazil, after the split in 2017, Arnold Schwarzenegger decided to have the event sanctioned by Rafael Santonja, and the IFBB.
The large amount of athletes that registered for the Arnold Classic Brazil, under the flag of the IFBB, was one of the alleged reasons, Arnold decided to continue his partnership with Rafael Santonja in 2018.
Brandon Curry was the winner of the first edition of the Arnold Classic Brazil, in 2013.
The Arnold Classic Brazil, was very successful in 2018, but a conflict between IFBB’s affiliates in Brazil, and Savaget Promotions, forced the IFBB to stop sanctioning the Arnold Classic Brazil.
For the 2019 edition of the event, the organizers changed the name to Arnold Classic South America, and they partnered up with Jim Manion to sanction the event, meaning the amateur event would be sanctioned by NPC Worldwide.
The Arnold Classic South America, had a rocky start in 2019, but the organizers managed to pull through. A lower number of professional athletes competed at the event, and the amateur event also suffered a low turnout.
In 2020, the event had to be canceled due to the pandemic, but in 2021, the Arnold Classic South America, was back on the contest schedule, and successfully organized.
Arnold Classic Australia (2015 – 2019)
Europe and Brazil was not enough for the bodybuilding legend, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer, believed that they can expand further, and create another successful event.
The pair teamed up with Australia’s Tony Doherty. Tony was a very successful bodybuilding promoter in Australia, organizing the Australian Championships.
In 2015, the first edition of the Arnold Classic Australia was organized. This event attracted some of the best professional bodybuilders in the world. The top American athletes, traveled halfway around the world to participate in this event. Dexter Jackson would win this event, just weeks after winning the 2015 Arnold Classic, in Ohio.
From 2015 to 2017, the Professional event was sanctioned by the IFBB Professional League, while the amateur event was sanctioned by the IFBB, and IFBB’s representatives, Paul and Carole Graham.
From 2018 to 2019, after the split between the IFBB and the NPC, the Arnold Classic Australia, would continue to be organized by Tony Doherty. In regards to who would run the show, the Arnold Classic Australia, would continue to run their professional event with the IFBB Professional League, but the amateur event would be sanctioned by Jim Manion’s newly formed NPC Worldwide.
The event would unfortunately have to be postponed, and then finally canceled in 2020, due to the pandemic that crippled the world.
Not only did the pandemic destroy Tony Doherty’s dreams of organizing another Arnold Classic Australia, but changes within Arnold Schwarzenegger’s company, put an end to this event.
In 2021, Arnold Schwarzenegger cut ties with his mentor, and partner Jim Lorimer. At that time, Jim’s son, Bob Lorimer took over for his father.
After 2021, Arnold Schwarzenegger took total control of the Arnold Sports Festival, starting World Championship Events, Inc, the new company that would run the Arnold Sports Festival.
With the change of management, there was a complete reshuffle of employees at the Arnold Sports Festival headquarters. The Lorimer family would no longer be involved with the Arnold Sports Festival.
The change of management was not good for Doherty, allegedly, the new management decided not to organize the Arnold Classic in Australia for the time being.
It remains to be seen if Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new company will organize any events in Australia in the near future.
Arnold Classic Asia (2016)
Arnold Schwarzenegger was on a role, organizing successful events in the USA, Europe, Australia, and Brazil, but this was not enough, for the bodybuilding legend.
In 2016, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer, decided to team-up with Tony Doherty and Hong Kong businessman Richard Petty.
The event took place in Hong Kong, August 2016. The event did not have the success as planned, putting a dent in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s fitness crusade.
Justin Compton was the first, and last winner of this event, as the organizers pulled the plug on this event, after its lack of success.
All was not lost for Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Lorimer’s, as they still had very successful events in the USA, Europe, Australia and Brazil.
A new event was also launched in 2016, and that would be the Arnold Classic South Africa.
Arnold Classic South Africa (2016 to present)
Africa was the next country selected for the expansion of the Arnold Classic.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Lorimer’s, teamed up with Wayne Price, the former professional strongman.
Dexter Jackson won the first edition of the Arnold Classic South Africa, in 2016.
The Arnold Classic South Africa, was sanctioned by the IFBB Professional League, and the IFBB, for the amateur events, from 2016 to 2017. As with the other events all over the world, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the Lorimer’s, had to decide which federation would sanction the events, after the split between IFBB’s Dr. Rafael Santonja, and the president of the NPC, Jim Manion in 2017.
The decision was made, and the Arnold Classic South Africa, would be sanctioned by the IFBB, and the IFBB Elite Pro, from 2018 to the present day.
The event remained successful, even after the event being cancelled between 2020 and 2021, due to the pandemic.
The event returned in 2022, and in 2023, with great success. IFBB’s top amateur and professional athletes, from all over the world, traveled to South Africa, to compete in this prestigious event.
Arnold Classic South Africa promoter, Wayne Price and his family, continue to work with Arnold Schwarzenegger and IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja, to organize the best fitness expo, and bodybuilding events in the country.
Arnold Classic UK (2021-2022, 2024)
The Arnold Classic UK, is unfortunately the most controversial from all of the Arnold Classic international events.
The problem does not lie with the judges, or athletes, but with the promoters, and other people running the show.
Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bob Lorimer, teamed up with Stephen Olexy, to promote the newest Arnold Classic event in the UK.
Olexy put together two great events in 2021 and 2022, but the situation went sour in 2022, after some alleged problems with the Brian Powers, Arnold Schwarzenegger’s new Executive Director of the Arnold Sports Festival.
The alleged problems started between Brian Powers and Stephen Olexy, when the main part of the event, which was the bodybuilding and fitness contest, was allegedly close to being canceled. The reason was that it was alleged, there was not enough funds for the prize money. 2BrosPro, the representatives of the NPC and IFBB Professional League in the UK, first pulled out of the event, and then made a u-turn, to take all the financial responsibility for the bodybuilding and fitness events.
The relationship between the promoter Stephen Olexy and 2BrosPro, allegedly fell apart.
To add more misery to the situation, Arnold Schwarzenegger first was scheduled to attend the 2022 Arnold Classic UK, but hours before his trip to the UK, he cancelled his appearance.
The events that occurred at the end of the 2022 Arnold Classic UK, would result in Stephen Olexy and Arnold’s company World Championship Events, Inc, going their separate ways.
The 2023 Arnold Classic UK was not organized, but it was just recently announced that the Arnold Classic UK, will take place in 2024, just a few weeks after the 2024 Arnold Classic USA.
It was confirmed by Brian Powers, that a new partner has teamed up with Arnold Schwarzenegger to run the event, and 2BrosPro will not be running the bodybuilding/fitness event. The new representative of the NPC/IFBB Professional League, replacing 2BroPro for the Arnold Classic UK, still has not been revealed.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net has reached out to 2BrosPro’s Ian Constable, but at the time of publishing this article, he has not answered any of this sites questions.
The importance of giving coverage to all federations
The bodybuilding industry has a number of respectful media outlets, that cover the sport in full detail. From writing articles, to producing professional video footage, fans are spoiled for choice.
Unfortunately, after the split in 2017, between IFBB President Dr. Rafael Santonja and NPC President Jim Manion, a number of media outlets picked sides, or even worse, totally disregarded prestigious events organized by either the IFBB or NPC.
Allegedly, some media outlets have been forced to cover only one federation, such as the NPC and IFBB Professional League, totally disregarding the prestigious events organized by the IFBB and IFBB Elite Pro.
It’s amazing that after the split in 2017, the majority of media outlets, disregarded the history of the IFBB. The late Ben and Joe Weider, created the IFBB, and Dr. Rafael Santonja succeed Ben Weider, after was voted as President of the IFBB, unanimously, after the recommendation of Ben Weider himself.
Some of the greatest bodybuilders to ever step on the competition stage, have climbed through the ranks of the IFBB. After 2017, the athletes that are affiliated with the IFBB or IFBB Elite Pro division, have to start over as an amateur, if they would like to earn their pro card, to compete within IFBB Professional League.
With this attitude from the majority of media outlets, the Arnold Classic franchise suffers, as not all events are given promotion, such as the Arnold Classic Europe, and Arnold Classic South Africa.
A perfect example would be Michal Krizo, the former IFBB elite Pro champion, who is now competing in the IFBB Professional League.
The majority of media outlets that only support the NPC and IFBB Professional League, failed to recognize Michal, when he competed with the IFBB Elite Pro.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net published numerous reports about Michal’s successes, from his early days within the IFBB Elite Pro division. Now, since he switched to the IFBB Professional League, the media dedicated to the IFBB Professional League, report as if they discovered a new athlete, meanwhile Michal has been competing at a high level since 2017.
The same can be said for the Wellness champion Angela Borges. Angela had a very successful run with the IFBB Elite Pro, until she decided to switch over to the IFBB Professional League. Allegedly, one of the main reasons for Angela switching over to the IFBB Professional League, was due to alleged pressure from her sponsors. Similar to Michal Krizo, the media dedicated to the IFBB Professional League, disregarded her previous successes.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net has always promoted athletes from various federations, giving them the space they deserve. This site also covers events from all major federations, when information is made available. The main federations that this site will continue to cover, are the IFBB, IFBB Elite Pro, NPC, and IFBB Professional League.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net will continue to cover ALL the Arnold Classic events
It’s very unfortunate, that the majority of bodybuilding media outlets only cover the Arnold Classic USA, South America, and UK. The Arnold Classic Europe, and South Africa, are left in the dark.
As already mentioned, after the split in 2017, the majority of media outlets only cover events sanctioned by the NPC/IFBB Professional Pro League.
It’s alleged that there is pressure on the same media outlets, to totally ignore other federations, no matter how successful they are. If not, there is the alleged possibility of losing their press accreditation to various events, or even various companies might refrain from sponsoring them.
This has happened on numerous occasions with Evolutionofbodybuilding.net. This site has lost major sponsorship, because of its goal of covering ALL federations.
Focusing on the Arnold Classic series of events, just recently, the owner of this website was allegedly threatened to either give coverage to the Arnold UK, or the Arnold Classic Europe. The Arnold UK is sanctioned by the NPC/IFBB Pro League, while the Arnold Classic Europe is sanctioned by the IFBB/IFBB Elite Pro, two different entities.
How can a media company ignore an event such as the Arnold Classic Europe? An event that attracts thousands of athletes worldwide. It’s the most successful Arnold Classic international event.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net will not be forced to pick between one or the other. This website will continue to promote events from the IFBB/IFBB Elite Pro, or the NPC/IFBB Professional League, as it has been doing for the past 10 years.
It absolutely makes no sense, that a company that runs five active events, would allegedly try to hinder a popular bodybuilding website, from promoting all of their events.
How does this make any business sense? If it was any other business, they would encourage the media to promote all their events.
Does it make sense for an independent bodybuilding website, to cover the Arnold Classic USA, South America, and UK only, and leave out the Arnold Classic Europe, and South Africa? Absolutely not.
If that decision was taken, it would be ridiculous. The athletes that worked so hard to step on the competitive stage, would absolutely get no coverage. Even just seeing their name or photo, published on a website, makes it all worth it.
Arnold Schwarzenegger is a bodybuilding legend, and this site wants to continue to promote his incredible bodybuilding career, and his drive to make bodybuilding one of the most exciting events in the world.
Evolutionofbodybuilding.net will not promote just 75% of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s events, but it will promote all of them.
To conclude, Evolutionofbodybuilding.net will continue working as it has been for the past 10 years, not letting any promoter, or federation, get in its way.
