Started by famed bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger and sport’s promoter Jim Lorimer in 1989, the Arnold Sports Festival is a four-day event in Columbus, Ohio, that has expanded to over 70 competitions where visitors and competitors from around the world participate.
WOUB photographer Nick Oatley photographed the festival and here are the best of the thousands of images he took over the four day event from March 2 to 5, 2017.
Jerry Pritchett of Phoenix, Arizona, waltzes across the stage carrying 1700 pounds of weight on his back in the Arnold Classic. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Contestants during the Bikini International pose on stage for the judges at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Thursday, March 2. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)A contestant from Brazil holds his trophy for getting 2nd place in the 2017 Arnold Amateur International Championships Men’s Physique. (Nickolas Oatey/WOUB)David Henry of South Hadley, Massachusetts, walks onto the stage at the Arnold Classic 212 on Saturday, March 4. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Contestant in the Arnold Classic 212 Zane Watson poses for judges and Arnold Schwarzenegger, who was present in the crowd. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)A man stands in the corner with his coach while competing for the Amateur Boxing title. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Lozernzo Hood backs up in the corner of the ring on Saturday, March 4. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Will Goslin has water poured on his face before boxing in the Pro Boxing match for the Arnold Sports Festival. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Jamie Walker and Ty Evans both hit each other across the face.(Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Antwan Jackson swings a punch at Mohamed Abdullah in the corner of the ring. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)A man from the crowd goes on stage and competes in the “Best Toe Touch” competition (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Arnold Schwarzenegger takes a selfie-video with the National Champion Cheerleader at the Cardinal Center in Columbus, Ohio. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)A mother fixes her daughter’s hair at the US Spirit Cheerleading competition at the Cardinal Center in Columbus, Ohio. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Finals at the Fencing International Competition. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Two men grapple each other in the cage during an MMA match at Express Live on Friday, March 3. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Anna Harjapaa of Sweden competes in the deadlift at the Women’s Strongman. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)Kristin Johnson competes in lifting the hammer at the Women’s Strongman. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)A man competes in the Disabled Arnold Strongman competition on Sunday, March 5. (Nickolas Oatley/WOUB)
