Arnold Classic 2022 Recap
The 2022 Arnold Classic weekend in Columbus, Ohio represented a reset in a sense to many athletes and fans that were in attendance. After two years of compromised settings, the 2022 edition fo the Arnold Classic represented a more normal sense of what the big weekend is supposed to feel like.
Friday Night Recap
The festivities began on Friday night, March 4th with the Classic, Figure and Fitness division contests. Terrence Ruffin Repeats in Classic Division! Terrence Ruffin successfully defended his title against the charge or Ramon Rocha Queiroz. The “Miracle Bear” Urs Kalenciski placed third and former Olympia champion Breon Ansley took fourth. Fifth place went to Michael Daboul.
1st – Terrence Ruffin
- 2nd – Ramon Rocha Queiroz
- 3rd – Urs Kalenciski
- 4th – Breon Ansley
- 5th – Michael Daboul
Figure International
Cydney Gillon’s reign as the number one woman in the Figure Division continues with her second victory in the Figure International. Jessica Reyes-Padilla came in as the runner-up while the third spot went to Lola Mentez. The fourth and fifth place finishers were Nicole Zenobia Graham and Natalya Soltero.
1st – Cydney Gillon
- 2nd – Jessica Reyes-Padilla
- 3rd – Lola Mentez
- 4th – Nicole Zenobia Graham
- 5th – Natalya Soltero
Fitness International
The biggest upset of the weekend came in the Fitness International, where defending champion Missy Truscott was upset by Ariel Khadr, who took home her first title. The rest of the top five are below.
1st – Ariel Khadr
- 2nd – Missy Truscott
- 3rd – Jaclyn Baker
- 4td – Kate Errington
- 5th – Tamara Vahn
Saturday Night Recap
On March 5th, the Saturday night edition of the Arnold Classic was held, including four divisions. The main event was the 34thArnold Classic men’s open. The favorites going into the show were former Mr. Olympia Brandon Curry and two-time champion William Bonac. They would go back and forth in the final callouts, but Curry would become a two—time champion at the end of the night.
1st – Brandon Curry
- 2nd – William Bonac
- 3rd – Steve Kuclo
- 4th – Samson Dauda
- 5th – Justin Rodriguez
Men’s Physique
Erin Banks was the favorite, and he left as the champion, but it wasn’t without a struggle from upstart Emmanuel Hunter. Rounding out the top three was Diogo Montenegro.
1st – Erin Banks
- 2nd – Emmanuel Hunter
- 3rd – Diogo Montenegro
- 4th – Antoine Weatherspoon
- 5th – Choi Bong Seok
Wellness International
IFBB Pro League history was made as Isabelle Nunes became the first Wellness International champion over favorite Angela Borges. Dr. Sunny Andrews rounded out the top three in what was a very close contest.
1st – Isabelle Nunes
- 2nd – Angela Borges
- 3rd – Sunny Andrews
- 4th – Julia Chitarra
- 5th – Yarishna Ayala
Bikini International
Olympia winners Ashley Kaltwasser and Elisa Pecini were in the lineup, but it would be Canada’s own Lauralie Chapados that leaves with the Bikini International title. Coming in second was Maureen Blanquisco.
1st – Lauralie Chapados
- 2nd – Maureen Blasquisco
- 3rd – Ashley Kaltwasser
- 4th – Elisa Pecini
- 5th – Jourdanne Lee