2024 Arnold Classic Friday Night Recap
The Battelle Grand Ballroom of the Greater Columbus Convention Center was packed with excited bodybuilding fans ready to see the 2024 calendar season kick off with the 36th edition of the Arnold Classic. Muscle Insider was mere feet away from the stage and was able to witness bodybuilding history made live. Here’s a brief look back at the evening’s happenings.
Classic Physique Upset
We will get right to the headline. We have a new Arnold Classic Physique champion, and his name is Wesley Vissers. Most of the hype going into the show was about defending champion Ramon “Dino” Querioz and Urs Kalecinski, who did leave with the Best Poser Award. However, Vissers was the biggest and most ripped he’d ever been, and the judges rewarded him for it by placing him first, giving him his first major title in the sport. Querioz finished in second place. Vissers is now qualified for the 2024 Olympia as a result of this win, leaving fans to wonder if we will see a new top contender to Chris Bumstead.
- Wesley Vissers
- Ramon Rocha Querioz
- Urs Kalecinski
- Breon Ansley
- Michael Daboul
Ariel Three-Peats as Fitness International Champ
The Fitness division had the most entertaining show of the evening, but what many fans expected to happen came to fruition. Ariel Khadr wanted another chat with Arnold and got it by winning her third Fitness International title. Jaclyn Baker finished in second, with Jodi Boam rounding out your top three. Khadr now has her sights set on the Olympia, as well the Arnold UK in just two weeks.
- Ariel Khadr
- Jaclyn Baker
- Jodi Boam
- Michelle Fredua-Mensah
- Aurika Tyrgale
Francielle Mattos Adds the Arnold Wellness International to Her Olympia Titles
Three-time Ms. Wellness Olympia Francielle Mattos is on her own level right now. She simply dominated both rounds of judging for the Wellness International to not only take the win but also be the first to hold both titles in the division’s short history. Mattos will turn her attention to her next title defense in Las Vegas at the Olympia. 2022 Wellness International winner Isabelle Nunes took silver, and third place went to Sandra Colorado Acal.
- Francielle Mattos
- Isabelle Pereira Nunes
- Sandra Colorado Acal
- Bruna Seredich
- Lili Dong
Arnold Classic Prejudging
The main event of the evening was the prejudging round of the 36th Arnold Classic. With former California Governor and seven-time Mr. Olympia Arnold Schwarzenegger in the front row, 10 men were ready to do battle for one of the sport’s biggest prizes. Defending champion Samson Dauda and 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan were compared early and often during the round, with two full callouts rounds to themselves. Others that appeared to be in the mix for the top five include Canada’s own Antoine Vaillant, James Hollingshead, and Rafael Brandao, who looked incredible in his return to the stage. However, the debate at the end was whether the Nigerian Lion would repeat or if The Persian Wolf did enough to upset the champ.
We will find out the answer to that question as well as the winners of Bikini, Men’s Physique, and Wheelchair Saturday night. Check back with Muscle Insider all weekend as the 2024 Arnold Classic coverage continues.