Lucrative prizes on offer at the Arnold festival
JOBURG – There will be much more than pride to compete for in the first-ever Arnold Classic Africa at the Sandton Convention Centre.
In addition to numerous prestigious titles up for grabs at the inaugural Arnold Classic Africa, elite athletes will also compete for lucrative cash prizes from 27 to 29 May at Sandton Convention Centre.
Hosted by seven-time ‘Mr Olympia’ Arnold Schwarzenegger, the festival will host some of the world’s top bodybuilders, of which three are South Africans, who will participate in contests with a total purse of R1.5 million.
Competitions will be held in the men’s open and women’s fitness divisions, with local stars being given a rare opportunity to participate at the highest level on home soil.
An amateur bodybuilding competition will also be held with participants from several international countries. Meanwhile, some of the world’s strongest men, including well-known international personalities, will lift cars, pull trucks and flip tyres as they compete for the Arnold Classic Africa title and R800 000 in cash.
In the amateur category, three divisions will be held for 105kg men and women. In the beach volleyball contest, a social five-a-side tournament will be held between mixed teams, with R30 000 up for grabs to the champions. Second place will take home R8 000 and third position receives R4 000.
A Pro-2 volleyball event will also be held (by invite only) with the top three teams receiving R15 000, R7 000 and R4 000 respectively. The nation’s top 30 billiard players in the domestic Premier League, as well as the first and second divisions, will go head-to-head in a knockout format for a R10 000 prize.
Charl Jonck, aiming for his third straight Blackball Premier League Showdown title, will spearhead the line-up. His strongest challenges are expected to come from teenage prodigy Aiden Joseph, the national champion who was last year’s runner-up at the BPL Showdown at the Rand Show; World Blackball Championship silver medallist, Paul Bennett; reigning BPL Premier League champion, Yulan Govender; and All Africa Blackball singles title holder, Ishmael Mthethwa.
“While we’ve provided opportunities for amateur athletes in multiple codes and events to compete for titles, including thousands of youths, we are also proud to offer prizes which will attract some of the world’s most renowned athletes to compete against local stars,” said Wayne Price, Arnold Classic Africa partner.
Details: Bronwyn Roets 082 906 0019 or Maphuti Hlako 081 851 7913.
