Competitors from across the country say simply making it to the world-renowned fitness event is an accomplishment in itself.
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Arnold Sports Festival is back in Columbus this weekend, bringing thousands of athletes, fans and fitness enthusiasts to the Greater Columbus Convention Center for one of the largest multi-sport events in the world.
The annual festival, founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger and the late Jim Lorimer, long-time mayor and vice mayor of Worthington, features competitions ranging from bodybuilding and powerlifting to boxing, martial arts and dance. More than 20,000 athletes from around the world typically compete in dozens of sports, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators over several days.
For many competitors, simply making it here is a milestone.
“This was always a dream of mine since I started competing,” said 47-year-old Joe Sottile, a bodybuilder from Long Island, New York. “These are some of the most elite lifters in the entire country, and I’m proud just to be a part of it.”
The four-day festival, now in its 37th year in Columbus, includes bodybuilding competitions, strength events, vendor expos and meet-and-greets with athletes. The expo floor alone features hundreds of booths showcasing fitness equipment, supplements and apparel.
Leigh Bravo with B.O.O.M. Worldwide described the experience in a few words: “It’s enthralling. It’s exhilarating. It’s empowering.”
“It’s a lot of big people,” joked competitor Joshua Bebee of Winter Haven, Florida. “I kind of look small compared to everybody else. You see a lot of jacked people.”
At just 13 years old, the boxer said he also hopes to spot the event’s famous namesake.
“I heard that Arnold is gonna be here,” Bebee told 10TV. “I hope he’s here. I hope I get a good picture with him.”
Many competitors say Schwarzenegger helped inspire them to pursue the sport.
“Growing up in the early ’80s, Arnold Schwarzenegger was my absolute idol,” Sottile said.
Even beyond the competition stage, athletes say the level of talent is motivating.
“It’s really inspiring to see the strength on some of these people,” Sottile added. “Outside of the platform, the shape that some of these people are in — it’s unbelievable.”
Ella Nicholson, a 19-year-old Ohio native who now lives in Missouri, made the six-and-a-half-hour drive back to Columbus to compete.
“It’s my second year,” Nicholson said. “I competed here two years ago on the Rogue stage.”
When asked if it was worth it, Nicholson responded: “Worth it. I’d say so… I broke six American records both in junior class and senior weight class.”
Timothy, 8, attending the event for the first time, left with more than just bragging rights.
“I did 51 pushups. I got fourth place,” he said. “And then I went to grab a lot of stuff and now my book bag is stuffed.”
“I took off work today so I could bring him,” said Timothy’s grandmother, Shameka Daniels. “We’re gonna go ahead and make it a tradition.”
Many visitors telling 10TV they hope they’ll be back next year.
“I’m definitely planning on coming back,” said Jackson Evans, who made the trip from West Virginia with three of his friends. “We had a big trip coming up here, but we’ve had a good time.”
Sottile said he hopes to keep returning as long as he can.
“I would like this to be a regular thing every year as long as my body allows me to do it,” he said. “Even if I don’t compete, I may just come here again to take in the expo itself.”
The festival runs through Sunday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, with events including the Arnold Classic bodybuilding competition, strongman contests and dozens of other sports.
Organizers expect large crowds throughout the weekend, especially on Sunday, when Schwarzenegger himself is expected to appear.
