COLUMBUS, Ohio – Two-time Arnold Classic champion Kai Greene will compete in Columbus for the first time since 2010 when he headlines a field of 12 of the world’s best professional men’s bodybuilders at the 2016 Arnold Classic, the Arnold Sports Festival announced.
Greene won the Arnold Classic in 2009 and 2010 and finished second in Arnold Classic Europe in 2013. He also finished second in the Olympia in 2012, 2013 and 2014 but did not compete in any IFBB Pro League contests in 2014. Branch Warren, who won the Arnold Classic in 2011 and 2012, is also among the field of 12. Lukas Wyler earned an automatic invitation for winning the 2015 Arnold Amateur. In the Arnold Classic 212, defending champion Jose Raymond leads a field of 9 professionals. Hidetada Yamagishi, who finished second in 2015, and Charles Dixon, who finished fifth last year, are also in the field.In the Arnold Classic Wheelchair, making its debut in 2016, a field of 10 of the most inspirational bodybuilders in the world will compete. Leading the way is 2015 Dallas Pro Champion Harold Kelley.
In the Fitness International, two-time defending champion Oksana Grishina and 2013 winner Tanji Johnson headline a field of 11. Grishina also finished first in the Arnold Classic Europe in 2014 and 2015 and has won seven straight IFBB Pro League contests. Arnold Amateur champion Giorgia Foroni earned an automatic invitation to her first Fitness International.
In the Figure International, defending champion Camala Rodriguez-McClure leads a field of 12. Janaina Ferreira da Silva, who won the overall at the Arnold Amateur in 2015, earned an automatic invitation.
There will be a new champion in the Bikini International after Ashley Kaltwasser, the event’s only two-time champion, did not enter. Justine Munro, who finished second in 2015, and Janet Layug, third last year, lead a field of 14. India Paulino, who finished fourth last year, is also expected to contend.
For the first time, the Arnold Classic Men’s Physique and Women’s Physique International contests are open and do not require an invitation. More than 40 will compete in Arnold Classic Men’s Physique and more than 60 will compete in Women’s Physique International.
The Arnold Classic 212, Fitness International, Figure International and Physique International will be held on Friday, March 4, 2016; while the Arnold Classic, Arnold Classic Wheelchair, Arnold Classic Men’s Physique and Bikini International will be held on Saturday, March 5, 2016 with prejudging and finals at Battelle Grand.
2016 Arnold Classic, Arnold Classic 212, Arnold Classic Wheelchair, Fitness International, Figure International, Bikini International invites are:
Arnold Classic
Evan Centopani, Maxx Charles, Justin Compton, Tony Freeman, Kai Greene, Johnnie O Jackson, Josh Lenartowicz, Cedric McMillan, Cody Montgomery, Juan Morel, Branch Warren and Lukas Wyler
Arnold Classic 212
Guy Cisternino, Charles Dixon, David Henry, Kyung Won Kang, Cory Mathews, John Meadows, Angel Manual Rangel Vargas, Jose Raymond and Hidetada Yamagishi
Arnold Classic Wheelchair
Jack Anderson, Gabriele Andriulli, Reggie Bennett, Nadir Hajro, Harold Kelley, Antoni Khadraou, Ludovic Marchand, Johnny Quinn, Kyle Roberts and Bryan Williams
Fitness International
Michelle Blank, Myriam Capes, Regiane da Silva, Giorgia Foroni, Ryall Graber, Oksana Grishina, Tanji Johnson, Whitney Jones, Piia Pajunen, Missy Terwilliger and Bethany Wagner
Figure International
Andrea Calhoun, Heather Dees, Amanda Doherty, Janaina Ferreira da Silva, Allison Frahn, Cydney Gillon, Candice Lewis-Carter, Julie Mayer, Adela Ondrejovicova, Camala Rodriquez McClure, Gennifer Strobo and Latorya Watts
Bikini International
Narmin Assria, Sara Back, Anya Ells, Christina Fjaere, Margaret Gnarr, Adriana Hill, Courtney King, Janet Layug, Brandy Leaver, Stephanie Mahoe, Justine Munro, India Paulino, Michelle Sylvia and Angelica Teixeira
