By Okon Ekpenyong

In its 35th year, the Arnold Sports Festival returns to Columbus and Columbus Convention Center, expecting to attract more than 100,000 spectators, vendors, athletes, and coaching staff worldwide. At this year’s competition, “safety and security will be of the utmost importance,” according to the organizers.  

Around 300 volunteers will help ensure that the 2023 Arnold Sports Classic is a success, with more than 12,000 athletes from 80 countries participating. And it will generate more than $15 million in profit through hotel bookings and transportation and bring revenue to Columbus North Market and other restaurants. 

There are various events to witness at the Ohio Expo Center, including the Martial Arts Festival, Baton Twirling, Cheerleading, and Dance. Guests can hop on the complimentary shuttle from the Greater Columbus Convention Center between Thursday and Sunday. Also, to avoid the frustration regarding parking Downtown, the Columbus Traffic Department recommends commuting through the shutter, carpooling, and leaving early during the Arnold Classic.

Top 10 attractions at this year’s Arnold Sports Festival

With over 1,000 booths of apparel, nutrition, sports equipment, and entertainment, Arnold Expo is considered the center of the event. The Convention’s main hall will be open on March 3-4 from 10 am to 7 pm and March 5 from 10 am to 4 pm.

IFBB Pro League and Arnold Amateur Competitions is the festival’s headliner, where the athletes will compete in the Arnold Amateur from March 2-3. Prejudging for the IFBB Pro League will be on March 3, and the finals will be on March 4. Men’s Physique and Pro Wheelchair, the prejudging and finals will be on March 4. 

More than 50 athletes will compete in traditional Scottish sports from March 3-5 at the Columbus Convention Center in Hall A. Strongmen, and strongwomen will compete in different events during Rogue Record Breakers, which will be on Sunday, March 5. Medieval fighting, which features longswords, shields, pole axes, and 1v1 armored fencing, will be on March 3-4 from 10 am to 7 pm. The Arnold Foosball Championships, Pole Fitness, Strongman, and Martial Art Festival will also draw thousands of spectators. 

On Friday, March 3, there will be 33 competitions, including Arnold Strongwoman Classic, USA Powerlifting, and more. There will be 34 competitions on Saturday, March 4, featuring Strongest Firefighters Finals and Arnold Men’s Physique Finals. Also, there will be 22 competitions on Sunday, March 5, including Judo and Kickboxing Championships. From 8:30 am to 7 pm on Sunday, March 5, 2023, Ohio Expo Center will host the Baton Twirling. A Judo and Kickboxing Championship will also be at the Voinovich Building on Sunday at 9 am. 

You can find the complete schedule, including the name of the competition, the date, and the time, at https://www.arnoldsports.com/schedule/.

Support the New Americans magazine to continue to serve our community with precise news that affect the new American, immigrant and refugee community. https://paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=8LHFS78NRNJJY&source=url