Tag: Arnold Classic 2022
2022 Arnold Strongman Classic Results (Day 1)
A complete breakdown of the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic Day One
The 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic is here and 10 of the best strongmen took to the stage and showed off what they could do. Held in the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, this event was thrilling as always and proved why Strongman is a sport growing more and more popular every single day. Day one of the epic event has just come to a close. Below are the results and standings so far at the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic.
When we think of Strongman, many of us revert back to watching it on television, watching these monsters, these specimens of strength and sheer will lifting incredible, and at times what seem like immovable objects, with ease. This is event was no different and an impressive set of strongmen showed up and proved why they are the best in the world.
This is your one stop shop for all things Arnold Strongman Classic 2022. We have who competed, a breakdown of how each event went, what events occurred, the total payout, and of course, the results of this amazing event.
Arnold Classic Strongman Standings (Day 1)
For this event, there were 10 impressive and well-known strongmen competing for that top prize. You recognize the names and can easily see why this event was so great.
Below are the current standings for the Arnold Strongman Classic 2022:
Rob Kearney — 18 points
Oleksii Novikov — 16 points
Martins Licis — 15 points
JF Caron — 12.5 points
Maxime Boudreault — 9.5 points
Bobby Thompson — 9.5 points
Evgeny Markov — 9 points
Luke Stoltman — 8 points
Tom Stoltman — 7 points
Trey Mitchell — 5.5 points
Top Competitors Coming In
With an impressive field of dedicated and accomplished strongmen, there were a few to note coming into this event. Tom Stoltman is the current holder of the World’s Strongest Man title and came in as a real force. Martins Licis just had an impressive win at the first ever Rogue Invitational and also came into the event as a top competitor.
But with guys like Oleksii Novikov, the 2020 World’s Strongest Man winner, this event was wide open for the taking. Bobby Thompson stepped in at the last minute to replace Mateusz Kieliszkowski, who withdrew his name with an injury.
Currently Rob Kearney is leading the pack after two intense lifting events. He is followed closely by Oleksii Novikov in second – who also has been open about representing Ukraine during this very catastrophic time for the country. Currently only two events have been completed, the Max Squat and the Monster Dumbbell Press. The Max Squat in particular contained strategy as well as strength – as the athletes could decide which weight to enter into the competition and have a max of three attempts to earn the heaviest lift.
In an interesting turn of events – Rob Kearney is in first place despite not nabbing a number one spot in either of the two events. But due to a solid second place victory in both events and two different winners across the two as well, he statistically lands in the number one spot overall in the leaderboard in Day 1.
Event Breakdown
For the Arnold Strongman Classic 2022, there were 5 events that competitors trained for and studied in efforts to be as prepared as possible. These events have been seen before, but with this cast of strongmen, the battle for first was fierce and one you didn’t want to miss.
Spread out over two days, two events were held on Friday and three events on Saturday, so both strength and conditioning were imperative for the success of each athlete.
Event #1: Max Squat
Each competitor had three attempts to hit their max weight. This was a new event for the Arnold Strongman Classic and a very entertaining one to watch.
This event came right down to the wire between J.F. Caron, Rob Kearney, and Martins Licis. The bar was set close to 1,000 pounds and it was Caron who took home first place. After Licis squatted 956 pounds, Kearney raised him five pounds. This is when Caron decided to take it up even higher and completed a 966-pound squat on the final attempt of the event.
First Place: J.F. Caron – 966 lbs
Second Place: Rob Kearney – 961 lbs
Third Place: Martins Licis – 956 lbs
Fourth Place: Bobby Thompson – 946 lbs
Fifth Place: Oleksii Novikov – 906 lbs
T-Sixth Place: Maxime Boudreault – 861 lbs
T-Sixth Place: Tom Stoltman – 861 lbs
Eighth Place: Trey Mitchell – 856 lbs
Ninth Place: Evgeny Markov – 821 lbs
Tenth Place: Luke Stoltman – 816 lbs
Event #2: Monster Dumbbell Press
This event was performed for reps at 275 lbs. Athletes were required to take the dumbbell off the ground and lift overhead as many reps as possible in a time frame of 90 seconds.
In a difficult event, Novikov made it look easy. The Ukrainian strongman stepped up to the 275-pound dumbbell and dominated with seven reps. This was more than enough to clinch first place in the event. Kearney was able to claim the second spot by himself with a late rep to get to four, besting three other competitors.
First Place: Oleksii Novikov – 7 reps
Second Place: Rob Kearney – 4 reps
T-Third Place: Luke Stoltman – 3 reps
T-Third Place: Evgeny Markov – 3 reps
T-Third Place: Martins Licis – 3 reps
Sixth Place: Maxime Boudreault – 1 rep
T-Seventh Place: Trey Mitchell – 0 reps
T-Seventh Place: Tom Stoltman – 0 reps
T-Seventh Place: Bobby Thompson – 0 reps
T-Seventh Place: J.F Caron – 0 reps
Event #3: Austrian Oak
These athletes were required to lift the log for a max rep with three attempts each. The name alone indicates the real test of strength these athletes had to endure for the third event.
Results coming soon
Event #4: Timber Carry
With a time cap of 30 seconds, athletes were required to carry an 880 lbs. timber frame up a 35-foot ramp.
Results coming soon
Event #5: Stone To Shoulder
This event saw the famous Odd Haugen tombstone come out and athletes were required to lift this from the ground to their shoulder in a stationary position for max reps. The time cap for this 2 minutes and 30 seconds.
Results coming soon
Photo via @novikov_strong_wsm Instagram
Prize Money Payout For Arnold Strongman Classic 2022
The prize money has hit a record number $182,000, ensuring all athletes get paid.
Top three places are as follows:
1st Place: $80,000
2nd Place: $25,000
3rd Place: $20,000
The rest of the finishers receive prize money given the payout scale proposed by organizers.
Wrap Up
In what was an exciting event at the Arnold Strongman Classic 2022, this event has come to a close for this year. With 10 athletes competing for that top spot, it has been an epic showdown and one that will be remembered alongside others in the history of this event. For fans, it has been exhilarating. For competitors, it has been grueling. And for the sport of Strongman, it has been another testament to these athletes and what they do to compete and promote a sport they love.
With only half of the overall event completed – we are excited to see what Day 2 brings on Saturday, March 5th, 2022.
Let us know what you think in the comments below. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
2022 Arnold Classic Analysis: Terrence Ruffin Vs Ramon Rocha Queiroz Battle For First
Terrence Ruffin stays strong front and center as Ramon Rocha Queiroz seemingly edges out Breon Ansley at the 2022 Arnold Classic pre-judging.
Friday afternoon held the day one pre-judging at the 2022 Arnold Classic, with the Classic Physique division taking center stage of the group. This year’s lineup was certainly stacked – with many pointing out that the roster included basically all top tier athletes from the Olympia minus Chris Bumstead. Many were excited to see how top competitors Terrence Ruffin and Breon Ansley would compare. Others were excited for relative newcomers and rising stars Urs Kalecinski and Ramon Rocha Queiroz. Ultimately, the Classic Physique comparison round ended with a strong face-off between returning champ Terrence Ruffin and Ramon Rocha Queiroz.
In what might come as a surprise to longtime fans fo the Arnold Classic, the pre-judging round for Classic Physique was relatively short. In total there were only three callouts. And most notably, the final callout did not involve any shifting of athletes. Each competitor stayed in their exact spot as they were originally called out.
Typically, head judge Steve Weinberger likes to keep both the athletes and the audience off balance by swapping competitors around. He also often will push the final callout with multiple posing rounds. This time he kept it short and sweet.
So what does that tell us? Perhaps that the judges feel confident in who will be landing in the top positions. Terrence Ruffin and Ramon Rocha Queiroz stood squarely in the center of the four person callout. While that leaves no room for a direct center athlete – it’s clear that these two were battling for first place. Ruffin in particular looked to be the absolute standout.
2022 Arnold Classic Pre-Judging: The Top 4 Standout Competitors
The final callout also seemed to match up with how the individual posing rounds were perceived. Terrence Ruffin was the first to pose – setting the standard that all other competitors needed to match up towards. Ruffin is the returning champion, so there was already some weight behind him starting first with posing routines. In addition to this, the moment he stepped on stage, he showcased an incredible package.
Urs Kalecinski also turned some heads upon stepping onto the stage for his posing routine. Urs has been gaining a lot of hype due to his physique updates on social media leading into the show. He’s a relative newcomer – but he did not disappoint. At first, it seemed that he would perhaps be impressive enough to land a first place spot. Though the final callouts seem to indicate he might be pushed down somewhere closer to third or fourth.
Ramon Rocha Queiroz, on the other hand, seemed to bring a wonderful package but one that was falling a little short. Originally, upon his individual routine, we had him placed closer to the bottom fo the top 5 pack. All of that changed upon seeing him standing next to his fellow competitors. Not only did he stand out among the other athletes on stage – he was placed by the judges right in the middle next to Terrence Ruffin. He was also never moved from that spot – despite being put through two complete rounds of posing.
Breon Ansley continues to bring a solid physique. Upon seeing his individual posing routine, we could see him easily landing a second place spot. But there is a world of difference between individual rounds and the comparison rounds. Ramon, perhaps using his height to his advantage, kept drawing eyes closer to his overall package in the final callout.
That being said, a lot can change in the six or so hours between the pre-judging and the finals. Each of these competitors will reflect on the callouts, review video if possible, and determine how they can improve ever so slightly to change the outcome of the final results. All four of these competitors have a chance to re-arrange what we saw in the final callout this afternoon.
One competitor that we see staying in place is Terrence Ruffin. Unless he makes some sort of fatal mistake leading into the finals, he brought a near perfect package. We predict that he will land the first place spot and the rest will battle for second. While Ramon Rocha Queiroz seems a shoe-in currently for second, we can see a scenario where Breon Ansley creeps up above him to grab that second place spot.
Only time will tell – and Generation Iron will continue to provide updates, analysis, and result updates later tonight when we return for the 2022 Arnold Classic finals!
Arnold Classic 2022 Classic Physique Prejudging Report & Analysis
Highlights from the Arnold Classic 2022 Classic Physique prejudging.
The Arnold Classic 2022 Classic Physique prejudging has been completed and gave a clear picture on who will be leading the way going into the finals on Friday night. Terrence Ruffin came into Columbus, OH looking to defend his title against some other elite competitors in the division.
This competition featured four of the top five finishers from the 2021 Classic Physique Olympia, with the exception of Chris Bumstead. Ruffin finished as the runner-up back in October to solidify his place as one of the top athletes in Classic Physique. Breon Ansley is a former Arnold Classic champion and still performing at a high level. Urs Kalecinski and Ramon Rocha Queiroz are up-and-comers who impressed during the Olympia.
It is no surprise that this is the group of four featured in the first callout. Classic Physique is a division that has become extremely popular and there is a top-tier of competitors that has been established. Ruffin and Ansley remain near as threats come Olympia time and they were the athletes to beat at the Arnold Classic.
Kalecinski and Queiroz entered the weekend as the two competitors that seem to be battling for third place but that might not be the case. The next five competitors were given a chance on stage in the second callout. Michael Daboul impressed during his individual time and got a chance in centerstage.
The judges brought back the same four competitors from the first callout once again for the third. Queiroz was featured next to Ruffin in the center, which makes one think that it could be Kalecinski and Ansley battling for third. There was not any movement in the third callout. This is an interesting development that will add some more drama heading into the finals on Friday night.
This is one division that was highly-anticipated coming into the weekend and it did not disappoint during prejudging. Make sure to keep a close eye on comparisons and the rest of the results leading into the night option of the event. Stay tuned to Generation Iron Fitness Network as we continue to provide coverage.
Classic Physique Callout Report
First Callout
Terrence Ruffin
Breon Ansley
Urs Kalecinski
Ramon Rocha Queiroz
Second Callout
Darwin Uribe
Peter Molnar
Divine Wilson
Lenny Wicks
Michael Daboul
Third Callout (Top 4)
Terrence Ruffn
Breon Ansley
Urs Kalecinski
Ramon Rocha Queiroz
Generation Iron Fitness Network will provide full coverage of the Arnold Classic 2022 event including pre-judging reports, analysis, and results updates. Stay tuned to Generation Iron and visit out official Arnold Classic 2021 coverage hub right here!
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
Arnold Classic 2022 Figure International Prejudging Report & Analysis
Highlights from the Arnold Classic 2022 Figure International prejudging.
The Arnold 2022 Figure International prejudging has come to an end and it has given a clear view on who will be favored heading into the finals. Cydney Gillon has dominated the division but did not compete in 2020, which was the last time Figure was featured at the Arnold Classic.
Gillon has won the Olympia five consecutive times and will look to make it six in December. Before that, she is attempting to add another Arnold Classic victory. In 2020, Natalia Soltero took home the prize with Gillon out of the lineup and now she will look to pull off an upset during the event.
The judges broke down this division into two callouts of five. Gillon and Soltero headlined the first callout but the depth of Figure was on display. Jessica Reyes Padilla and Nicole Zenobia Graham were also featured, along with Lola Montez. Gillon remained in the middle of the group as she is at the peak of the division.
The second callout featured the other five competitors. Bojana Vasiljevic entered with great conditioning and this showed in centerstage. Larhannah Robinson also provided an impressive presence on stage. Vasiljevic and Soltero were brought back out for the third callout, along with Nicole Zenobia Graham.
Graham was able to work her way into the final callout next to Gillon and Padilla. Montez was also brought back out and will have a chance to finish near the top on Friday night in the finals. Montez began in the middle next to Gillon before being switched to the outside in favor of Padilla. While Gillon is considered a big favorite, the rest of the field has a chance to make some noise in other positions.
This division might very well come down to the wire during the finals. Make sure to keep a close eye on comparisons and the rest of the results leading into the night portion of the event. Stay tuned to Generation Iron Fitness Network as we continue to provide coverage.
Figure International Callout Report
First Callout
Nicole Zenobia Graham
Natalia Soltero
Cydney Gillon
Lola Montez
Jessica Reyes Padilla
Second Callout
Bojana Vasiljevic
Wendy Fortino
Larhannah Robinson
An Da-Jong
Latoya Farley
Third Callout
Bojana Vasiljevic
Nicole Zenobia Graham
Natalia Soltero
Fourth Callout (Top 4)
Nicole Zenobia Graham
Jessica Reyes Padilla
Cydney Gillon
Lola Montez
Generation Iron Fitness Network will provide full coverage of the Arnold Classic 2022 event including pre-judging reports, analysis, and results updates. Stay tuned to Generation Iron and visit our official Arnold Classic 2022 coverage hub right here!
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
Arnold Classic 2022 Fitness International Prejudging Report & Analysis
Highlights from the Arnold Classic 2022 Fitness International prejudging.
The Arnold Classic 2022 Fitness International prejudging has just come to an end and we now have a clear idea of who is leading the pack going into the finals later tonight. Missy Truscott returned to the competition looking to make it three wins in a row in Columbus, OH.
Truscott has been a force in this division for three years now. Along with two straight Arnold Classic titles, Truscott won the 2020 Olympia but was bested by Whitney Jones in October. Ariel Khadr and Jaclyn Baker were also top-five finishers from the Olympia in 2021. With Truscott returning to the stage at the event, there was an immediate intrigue for competitors to knock off the champion.
This is the group that headlined the first callout. Truscott and Baker were placed in the middle with Khadr and Tamara Vahn on the outside. During movements, Khadr was given a chance in centerstage. After the first group of four, judges brought out the other six competitors. This gave them a chance to see if they would be compared against the top group.
The final callout featured Truscott and Khadr. This is the same pair that was featured in the third callout of the Arnold Classic last year. Truscott and Khadr seem to be the competitors to beat but Baker could make a jump in the final round on Friday night.
This division could come down to the wire on Friday night but there has been a clear top-tier released. Make sure to keep a close eye on comparisons and the rest of the results leading into the night portion of the event. Stay tuned to Generation Iron Fitness Network as we continue to provide coverage.
Fitness International Callout Report
First Callout
Missy Truscott
Jaclyn Baker
Ariel Khadr
Tamara Vahn
Second Callout
Allison Kramer
Kate Errington
Sara Kovach
Aurika Tyrgale
Minna Pajulahti
Amanda Ciani
Third Callout (Top 2)
Missy Truscott
Ariel Khadr
Generation Iron Fitness Network will provide full coverage of the Arnold Classic 2022 event including pre-juding reports, analysis, and results updates. Stay tuned to Generation Iron and visit out official Arnold Classic 2022 coverage hub right here!
Greg has covered the four major sports for six years and has been featured on sites such as Sports Illustrated, Fox Sports, SB Nation, NJ.com, and FanSided. Now, he is transitioning into the world of bodybuilding and strength sports.
Brandon Curry Shares Physique Update Two Days Out From 2022 Arnold Classic
Brandon Curry decided to give one final physique update before taking the stage at the 2022 Arnold Classic.
The 2022 Arnold Classic is just two days away but it is never too late for athletes to share physique updates. This time, it is Brandon Curry who took to social media to show the progress he has made heading into the competition.
The event will take place from March 3-6 in Columbus, OH. Heading into the Men’s Open show, Curry is considered the favorite to be named champion. This is an event that he has been training hard for and it shows in his latest physique update.
“Typical bodybuilder…posing with my pants down in the gym again…?
On a more serious note…
I put my heart and soul into this @arnoldsportsprep and i enjoyed every minute of it! This one was special!”
The photo was taken by Middle House, was was able to capture the progress of Curry in a big way. It is clear that Brandon Curry has honed in on improvements needed in the offseason.
Curry has been near the top of Men’s Open for years now. He was crowned Mr. Olympia in 2019 and has finished as the runner-up in two consecutive years. Curry will look to gain his title back from Big Ramy, but first, he has his sights set on the Arnold Classic title.
“It’s looking like my team @abdullah_fs_alotaibi@ahmad_alnaqi1 and I are on track to bring all bodybuilding fans whether they’re my fans or someone else’s fan something to appreciate.
Experience is the greatest teacher.
Now it’s time to finish filling out these round and brown muscle bellies!!! ???”
When the official lineup came out, Curry was considered the favorite right away. Since December, there have been many names pulling out of the conversation.
Cedric McMillan is the most recent to withdraw from the competition. He revealed that stomach issues will keep him from competing but he will still be part of the event in some capacity. Rafael Brandao withdrew from the competition for undisclosed reasons back in January followed by Nathan De Asha and Mohamed Shaaban, who were forced to pull out due to injuries. Akim Williams will also not appear on stage as scheduled.
Brandon Curry has put in the work and there are just two days until he can show it off on stage. The Arnold Classic is set to be an exciting event with Men’s Open headlining once again.
For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
How To Watch The 2022 Arnold Classic Event
A complete guide on how to watch the 2022 Arnold Classic. Including Pro Bodybuilding, Strongman, Slap Fight Championships & More.
The 2022 Arnold Classic and Arnold Sports Festival takes place on March 4-5, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio. The event is one of the largest pro bodybuilding competitions second only to the Mr. Olympia. It is also one of the biggest sports festivals in the world featuring 60+ sporting events. As for the pro bodybuilding competition specifically – divisions will be split up across both days with the Men’s Open pre-judging on Friday and the Finals on Saturday. Not able to make it to Ohio in person? Here’s our complete guide on how to watch the 2022 Arnold Classic.
The Arnold Classic is considered by many to be the official start of the IFBB Pro and NPC bodybuilding season. While there are occasionally competitions that crop up earlier, the floodgates open up after the Arnold Classic’s early March event date. Being the second largest pro bodybuilding competition – it’s also seen as a predictor of what we might expect later in the year at the Olympia 2022.
Also of note is that the Arnold Classic has switched up their scheduling a bit compared to previous years. Typically, the pre-judging and the finals for Men’s Open occur in the same day. This year, the event seems to be following a similar format to the Mr. Olympia – with the pre-judging capping off Friday night followed by the finals on Saturday.
While seemingly insignificant, this provides a different timing between the two rounds of the competition. After pre-judging, competitors often adjust as much as they can based on the scoring of the comparison rounds in the hopes of locking in the best possible result. With 24 hours between rounds instead of just 5 or 6 – the tactic on how to improve in that time period changes. Giving more room for improvement… or a stumble.
How To Watch The Arnold Classic 2022
Unlike previous years, the 2022 Arnold Classic will be a pay-per-view event on FanMio for $24.99. This price gets you entire access to the event including not only the Pro Bodybuilding competition but also Strongman, the newly announced Slap Fighting Championships, and many more of the 60+ events. Once purchased, The PPV can also be watched on any device and screencast onto your television via devices such as Roku, Chromecast, or other major streaming services.
You can buy the PPV event via FanMio at their official website right here.
2022 Arnold Classic Men’s Open Line Up
Unfortunately, many elite competitors announced that they will no longer be able to compete at the 2022 Arnold Classic. This includes Cedric McMillan, Nathan De Asha, Mohamed Shaaban, Akim Williams and Rafael Brandão.
That being said, there is still an exciting lineup with a guaranteed new champion – as 2021 champ Nick Walker is not competing. Here’s the current line up as it stands now:
Brandon Curry (USA)
Brett Wilkin (USA)
William Bonac (Netherlands)
Maxx Charles (USA)
Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)
Regan Grimes (Canada)
Steve Kuclo (USA)
Fabio Giga Rezende (Brazil)
Justin Rodriguez (USA)
Arnold Classic 2022 Schedule
The 2022 Arnold Classic PPV live stream is including a lot of options for events to watch over the course of the entire weekend. You can see the full schedule on their official website. We’ve broken down the highlights and key events below:
FRIDAY
12pm-2pm (EST): Classic Physique, Fitness, & Figure Pre-Judging
3pm-7pm (EST): Arnold Strongman Classic Events
5:30pm-7:30pm (EST): Arnold Strongwoman Classic Events
7pm-9:30pm (EST): Classic Physique, Fitness, and Figure Finals + Men’s Open Pre-Judging
SATURDAY
10am-12pm (EST): Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Wellness Pre-Judging
12pm-1pm (EST): Pro Wheelchair Pre-Judging and Finals
2pm-7pm (EST): Arnold Strongman Classic Events and Finals
2pm-5pm (EST): Slap Fighting Championships
5pm-7pm (EST): Arnold Strongwoman Classic Events and Finals
7pm-10pm (EST): Men’s Physique, Wellness, Bikini, and Men’s Open Finals
SUNDAY
3pm-5pm (EST): Arnold Showcase Seminar (Post-Produced)
What To Expect
Of the nine competitors lined up for the 2022 Arnold Classic Men’s Open – two have previously one the prestigious title. Brandon Curry won not only the 2019 Arnold Classic but later went to be the 2019 Mr. Olympia champion. William Bonac is a two-time Arnold Classic champion – earning his titles in 2018 and 2020.
As it stands now, Brandon Curry is the favorite to take the prize this year – but Bonac has proven himself to be a true threat in every show he competes in. But with his sixth place finish at last year’s Mr. Olympia has many questioning what kind of shape we may see Bonac in. As it stands now – he might come back with a vengeance showing miraculous improvement. Or will he show that his prime years are starting to fade.
That being said, we can’t count out other competitors on this list from rising tall and causing an upset. Relative newcomer Brett Wilkin has been catching a lot of hype based on his physique updates on social media. Regan Grimes has also been turning heads especially with his announcement last year of working with Milos Sarcev as his coach. Steve Kuclo, a consistent bodybuilder with an impressive physique, is also predicted by many to get into the top 3 or at least the top 5. Only time will tell.
Generation Iron will be providing complete coverage of the event including pre-judging reports and analysis, breaking news, and final results. Make sure to check out our official coverage page right here for updates.
Hardcore Truth: Johnnie O. Jackson’s Arnold Classic 2022 Predictions
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Johnnie O. Jackson shares the hardcore truth on who has the best shot for top placings at the Arnold Classic 2022.
Welcome to the Hardcore Truth – our new podcast and digital series staring one of the strongest pro bodybuilders in the world – Johnnie O. Jackson. Known for his incredible physique, strength, and hardcore training sessions with Branch Warren, Johnnie is gearing up with a mic and camera to share his most valuable lessons from a career in bodybuilding and strength training. This week, Johnnie O. Jackson breaks down the Arnold Classic 2022 lineup and predicts who will land the top 5 placings.
After a wild and confusing two years, the Arnold Classic has returned to its traditional date with a full fledged weekend of competition in 2022. The Arnold Classic 2022 will be held in Columbus, Ohio on March 3-6 and kick off the bodybuilding season with a bang. There’s quite a stacked lineup, with some unfortunate last minute dropouts. That’s why Johnnie O. Jackson decided to dedicate this week’s episode of Hardcore Truth to breaking down the competitor lineup and predicting who will take the top five spots. Let’s jump into it.
The Arnold Classic 2022 Will Be A Battle Between Brandon Curry and William Bonac
Johnnie O. Jackson isn’t just a couch critic giving his unsolicited opinions on the Arnold Classic, he’s a pro bodybuilder and powerlifter with first hand experience in the sport. His critical eye is able to break down the finer details of what we can expect from the top competitors going into the Arnold Classic 2022. And it’s that level of insight that predicts Brandon Curry will likely win first place.
But it won’t be a clear and easy victory. Johnnie O. Jackson sees William Bonac as the biggest threat to Curry’s throne. Bonac seems to have a fire in his stomach after his somewhat lackluster placing at sixth place at the Mr. Olympia 2021. Jackson believes it’s this fire in combination with his impressive physique that might up the ante for the Arnold Classic.
Of course, Brandon Curry is a former Mr. Olympia champion and also placed second at the Olympia 2021. He’s seen constant improvements each year with hardly any setbacks. So Johnnie O. Jackson still gives the tip of first place to Curry at this moment. But the beauty of a live competition is that anything can happen – and the truth is that these two competitors are going to have a battle for the ages.
Akim Williams, Brett Wilkin, and Steve Kuclo To Likely Round Out The Top 5
Beyond the top two placing, Johnnie O. Jackson predicts that Akim Williams will likely rise up to earn third place in the competition. Williams has had an explosive couple few years bringing him into the conversation of threats for both the Arnold Classic and Mr. Olympia. With the current lineup as it stands – Jackson sees a clear path to third place for Williams.
Another notable bodybuilder turning heads is Brett Wilkin. A relative rookie in the sport, he has been shocking fans and experts alike with his physique updates. Based on what he’s seen, Johnnie O. Jackson believes that Wilkin can earn a solid fourth place spot. This nothing to slouch at – as it will put him truly in the spotlight for the rest of the season. He has some impressive potential to possibly be a future champion one day.
And bringing up the rear of the top five is Steve Kuclo. Kuclo has been a consistent and solid competitor over his entire career. His recent placings in 2021 seem to indicate that he can bring a powerful package to the Arnold Classic 2022.
Wrap Up
Johnnie O. Jackson goes into more detail about each competitor than we can cover here in this article. That’s why you should make sure to watch or listen to the full episode of Hardcore Truth above. Do you agree with Jackson’s predictions? Let us know by leaving your thoughts in the comments of the video or on our social channels!
The Arnold Classic 2022 Lineup Has Been Announced
Checkout the full lineup for the 2022 Arnold Classic!
The 2022 Arnold Sports Festival is scheduled for March 3-6 in Columbus. After a condensed version of the Arnold Classic this year due to COVID-19, the festival is set to be back and better than ever. The lineup for the 2022 Arnold Strongman Classic has been announced and now we have a lineup for the 2022 Arnold Classic.
Headlining the Arnold Classic is the Men’s Open division and this brings back the rivalry between William Bonac and Brandon Curry. Both were unable to make it to the competition in September but will return for the 2022 event. Bonac won the Arnold Classic in 2018 and 2020. Sandwiched between was a victory for Curry, where Bonac finished second. He was also the runner-up when Curry won the 2019 Olympia.
Cedric McMillan, who won the 2017 Arnold Classic, will also make his return to the event. Also, three top-five finishers from 2021 will be back in Steve Kuclo, Justin Rodriguez, and Akim Williams.
Classic Physique will be headlined by 2021 champion Terrence Ruffin and Breon Ansley. They both finished in the top three in the Olympia this year as well. Erin Banks and Diogo Montenegro will also return to competition in Men’s Physique after finishing in the top three at the Olympia.
This is the first time that Wellness will be featured at the Arnold Classic. It made its debut at the Olympia back in October and five of the top-six finishers from the show will be in Columbus. Bikini will feature two former champions in Elisa Pecini and Ashley Kaltwasser while the same is happening in Figure. Natalia Soltero and Cydney Gillon will be in search of their second title. In Fitness, Missy Truscott has been the competitor to beat winning the Arnold in each of the last two years.
Classic Physique, Fitness, and Figure Finals will take place on Friday night followed by Men’s Open prejudging. Saturday night will feature Men’s Open, Men’s Physique, Bikini, and Wellness Finals.
The full lineup have officially been announced. Checkout the list of competitors for the 2022 Arnold Classic below!
Men’s Open
William Bonac (Netherlands)Rafael Brandão (Brasil)Maxx Charles (USA)Brandon Curry (USA)Samson Dauda (United Kingdom)Nathan De Asha (United Kingdom)Regan Grimes (Canada)Steve Kuclo (USA)Cedric McMillan (USA)Fabio Giga Rezende (Brasil)Justin Rodriguez (USA)Mohamed Shaaban (Egypt)Brett Wilkin (USA)Akim Williams (USA)
Classic Physique
Breon Ansley (USA)Michael Daboul (United Kingdom)Urs Kalecinski (Germany)Peter Molnar (Hungary)Terrence Ruffin (USA)Ramon Rocha Queiroz (Brasil)Darwin Uribe (USA)Lenny Wicks (USA)Divine Wilson (USA)
Men’s Physique
Erin Banks (USA)Choi Bong Seok (South Korea)Riccardo Croci (Italy)Terrence Teo Kok Hua (Malaysia)Drelyn Hunt (USA)Emanuel Hunter (USA)Daniel Leone (Italy)Vincius Mateus (Brasil)Diogo Montenegro (Brasil)Ramses Rams (Spain)Antoine Weatherspoon (USA)
Fitness
Jaclyn Baker (USA)Amanda Ciani (USA)Kate Errington (United Kingdom)Ariel Khadr (USA)Sara Kovach (USA)Allison Kramer (USA)Minna Pajulahti (Finland)Missy Truscott (USA)Aurika Tyrgale (USA)Tamara Vahn (Canada)
Figure
An Da Jong (South Korea)Latoya Farley (USA)Wendy Fortino (USA)Cydney Gillon (USA)Nicole Zenobia Graham (USA)Lola Montez (Canada)Jessica Reyes Padilla (Puerto Rico)Larhannah Robinson (USA)Natalia Soltero (Mexico)Bojana Vasiljevic (USA)
Bikini
Maureen Blanquisco (USA)Lauren Dannenmiller (USA)Alessia Facchin (Italy)Phoebe Hagan (United Kingdom)Ashley Kaltwasser (USA)Jourdanne Lee (USA)Lucia Malavaze (USA)Elisa Pecini (Brasil)Danielle Phelps (USA)Allison Testu (France)
Wellness
Sunny Andrews (USA)Yarishna Ayala (USA)Angela Borges (Brasil)Devyn Cambre (USA)Barbara Cesar (USA)Julia Chitarra (Brasil)Casey DeLong (USA)Kassandra Gillis (Canada)Isabelle Nunes (USA)Lorena Ragusa (USA)
Pro Wheelchair
Gabriele Andriulli (Italy)Anand Arnold (India)Bradley Betts (USA)Adelfo Cerame Jr. (USA)Harold Kelley (USA)Antoni Khadraoui (Algeria)Chad McCrary (USA)Daniel Minster (Czech Republic)Johnny Quinn (USA)