Written by Peter McGough
22 February 2015

15NN028-ARN-HIST

Arnold Classic 2015

A Quick Fire Guide to the Previous 26 Years

 

 

In 1989 Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer staged the first ever Arnold Classic in Columbus Ohio. On March 7, the 27th rendition of a contest that, in prestige, is second only to the Olympia will take place. Back in 1989 the event was a one-day affair, encompassing just two contests: The Arnold Classic for men with a 15-man line-up; and the Ms. International for female bodybuilders, where again an invited 15 flexed for glory (Jackie Paisley won the 1989 Ms. International). That’s 30 competitors in total. Over the years the extravaganza has morphed into the five day Arnold Sports Festival, which now caters to over 50 different sports and 18,000 athletes, with 200,000 attendees visiting over 900 booths at the Expo, plus the mushrooming globalization of the event.

 In the next few weeks musculardevelopment.com will preview the Arnold Classic from many different angles. As a starter here’s a whirlwind guide to the previous 26 renditions of the Arnold Classic.

 

1989: RICHARD THE FIRST

 The initial winner of the Arnold was Rich Gaspari. In a pro career that commenced in 1985 and included three straight Olympia runner-up spots (1986-’88), this was the last of The Dragonslayer’s nine pro victories.

 

1990: NOW YOU SEE HIM NOW YOU DON’T

 This was the year that Shawn Ray’s hand was raised in victory at the Saturday night finals and then slapped six days later when the results of the drug tests (the first ever in an IFBB pro contest) were announced. Thus the Shawnster lost the title and it was awarded to runner-up Mike Ashley. Of the 13-man line-up, Samir Bannout, Nimrod King and Rolf Moeller also failed the test

 

1991: FROM THE DARK INTO A RAY OF SUNSHINE

 A year after his 1990 debacle Ray returned to Columbus where his sensational physique nailed down a straights victory.

 

1992: INVINCEABLE, ALMOST

 In 1991 and 1992 Vince Taylor competed in 14 contests and won nine of them, one of them being the 1992 Arnold. Momo Benaziza was second and was dead seven months later just hours after winning Dutch Grand Prix.

 

1993: FLEXCEPTIONAL

 A week after winning his first pro contest (the Ironman) Flex Wheeler stormed to victory in Columbus. Lee Labrada was second and Mike Matarazzo (6th) collapsed with severe dehydration after the contest and was rushed to hospital.

 

1994: KEVIN’S HEAVEN

 Kevin Levrone flexed his way to the winner’s plinth ahead of Vince Taylor, but the main talking point was Paul Dillett. In the midst of a cramping type seizure he toppled onstage like a Canadian giant pine right into the arms of a surprised expeditor, who, helped by colleagues, eventually carted the 280 pounder offstage. For more on Paul’s 1994 travails click here.

 

1995:HOMETOWN WIN

 With back development he didn’t have a year previously hometown boy Mike Francois beat pre contest favorite Flex Wheeler into second place. It was the peak of Mike’s career as from then on severe colitis played havoc with his physique, threatened his life and forced him to retire three years later.

 

1996: KEVIN’S HEAVEN, FLEX’S HELL

 In maybe the most controversial Arnold result ever, Kevin Levrone took his second Columbus victory over Flex Wheeler. Personally I saw it for Flex, and Kevin and I exchanged words about the outcome for the rest of the year. Making his pro debut in ninth spot was Jean Pierre Fux (who I dubbed the Swiss Jeez) who created a sensation and was tipped as the next Dorian.

 

1997: WHEELER RETURNS

 Flex Wheeler took his second Arnold relegating Nasser El Sonbaty to runner-up status. As the duo stood alone onstage waiting for the runner-up call, I commented that, “Flex looks like Nasser’s lunch.” In his first Arnold, Ronnie Coleman was fourth.

 

1998: WHEELER’S DEAL

 The top two from 1997 returned in 1998 to finish first and second again. In this humble scribe’s opinion this was Flex’s best shape ever.

 

1999: NASSER FINALLY

 With Wheeler not competing El Sonbaty eased into first place ahead of Kevin Levrone.

 

2000: FLEX GOES FOURTH

 Flex Wheeler took a record fourth Arnold a week after losing the Ironman to Chris Cormier a week earlier. For Columbus Wheeler hammered himself into shape by doing three hours of cardio a day.

 This was the first of six consecutive Arnold runner-up spots for Chris Cormier. For more on that unprecedented run click here

 

2001: MR. O COMES TO TOWN

 Ronnie Coleman became the first and, so far, only reigning Mr. O to enter the contest and was a clear winner. In many peoples’ opinions (including that of this humble scribe) Ronnie was that day, at 245 pounds, in the best ever shape of his life.

 

2002 JAY WALKS IT

 Fresh off his controversial runner up spot at the 2001 Olympia Jay Cuter appeared in Columbus to take the first of three consecutive Arnold titles.

 

2003 CUTLER AT THE DOUBLE

 Jay Cutler carved out a repeat over the seemingly perennial bridesmaid Chris Cormier.

 

2004: CHRIS CROSS

 This was the one that many thought Cormier should have won, as threepeat champ Cutler seemed a little flat this time out.

 

2005: JACKSON ACTION

 With Jay Cutler not contesting the 2005 event the way seemed clear for Cormier to finally climb atop the Arnold ladder. But having finished third in 2004 Dexter Jackson vaulted ahead of the Real Deal to take top honors.

 

2006: DEXTER BACK-TO-BACK

Dexter Jackson successfully defended his title with Branch Warren in second.

 

2007: MARTINEZ THE VICTOR

Jackson was thwarted in his dream of a threepeat as Victor Martinez nudged him out of first place.

 

2008: THE BLADE’S TRIPLE

Jackson took his third Arnold victory with future Mr. Olympia Phil Heath in second.

 

2009: GREENE PARTY

Kai Greene joined the Arnold roll of honor by muscling to first ahead of Victor Martinez.

 

2010: GREENE SHADES IT

Kai Greene was top dog again in Columbus, but many thought runner-up Phil Heath should have emerged the winner.

 

2011: BRANCH TAKES ROOT

In the biggest win of his career – up to that point – Branch Warren became the 2011 Arnold champ with Dennis Wolf second.

 

2012: WARREN FACTIONS

The result was a duplicate of 2011 but many thought Wolf should have finished ahead of Branch (back in action six months after tearing a quad) this time out.

 

2013: DEXTER GOES FOURTH

Dexter Jackson tied Flex Wheeler’s record by taking a fourth Arnold Classic title. But the main talking point of the event was the sudden emergence of protruding bellies among about half the line-up, which at times made the stage look like a pre-natal clinic 8 1/2 months after the end of World War II.

 

2014: THE WOLFMAN HOWLS

After two somewhat controversial second place finishes to Branch Warren in 2011 and 2012, Dennis Wolf finally flexed his way to first place at the Arnold, holding off his perennial rival Shawn Rhoden in the process.

 

AND THE 2015 WINNER IS ……. ?

Stay tuned to musculardevelopment.com in the run-up to the 2015 Arnold Sports Festival (March 5-9th) for all the breaking news, videos etc. And then over the weekend follow us for unprecedented coverage (previews, interviews, play-by-play, wrap-ups etc.) of the biggest bodybuilding show on earth.

 

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