Whoever can stand on the podium in Columbus will be rewarded handsomely.
It’s not quite the same as the Olympia, but the annual Arnold Classic (AC) arguably has the same cachet and impact and is considered one of the major competitions on the bodybuilding calendar. As some of the world’s best bodybuilders head to Columbus, Ohio for their latest installment on March 3-4, 2023, they can take comfort in knowing one thing. Victory will be rewarded more handsomely than ever.
On 12 January 2023, Arnold Sports Festival organizers published a press release on their website and posted on Instagram to announce $300,000 to win the 2023 AC Men’s Open Championship. That’s a $100,000 increase over defending AC champion Brandon Curry’s $200,000 bonus in 2022. It builds on significant increases from previous years, with former champion Nick Walker earning $130,000 after the 2021 iteration, and coming close to Hardy’s top prize of $400,000 for Choopan after winning the 2022 Mr. Olympia.
In the press release, Arnold Schwarzenegger elaborated on the significance of Arnold’s classic growth.
“Since we first held the bodybuilding championships in Columbus in 1976, my goal has been to increase the prize money to reward these outstanding athletes,” Schwarzenegger said. “I am delighted to announce that the winner of this year’s Arnold Classic will win a record $300,000 in prize money.”
As for who will head to Ohio State for the latest AC title, some past champions, big names and rising stars highlight the men’s open. On January 12, 2023, the organization revealed that, Nick Walker will return for 2023 AC And the competition that arguably helped establish him in the professional bodybuilding world in the first place. Past champion (2018, 2020) William Bonac will also return to the Columbus stage. Meanwhile, two-time 212 Olympian champion Sean Clarida (2020, 2022) will attempt to challenge the duo. Other confirmed men’s Open players include Samson Dauda, Kamal Elgargni, Justin Rodriguez and Akim Williams.
Notably, a group of elite bodybuilders recently revealed they had withdrawn or declined invitations to compete in the 2023 Arnold Classic. As of this writing, the group includes 2022 Mr. Olympia runner-up Derek Lunsford, Blessing Awodibu and Michal “Krizo” Križánek.
With the 2023 competitive bodybuilding season underway, the 2023 Arnold Classic will undoubtedly be one of the first important steps towards a year to remember. Finally, a dedicated athlete with incredible weight and a ripped physique will have the good fortune to leave Columbus, Ohio rich $300,000 for their hard work.
Featured Image: @nick_walker39/Instagram