The 2014 Arnold Sports Festival weekend came to a dramatic climax with the joyous howls of a Wolf; Arnold Classic men’s bodybuilding winner Dennis Wolf. The big German wowed the Veterans Memorial Auditorium with a physique that harkened back to the days of the contest’s namesake, but scaled to the massive proportions of today’s bodybuilding champions. It was Wolf’s first victory in Columbus, after three prior attempts, resulting in consecutive 2nd place finishes and a 3rd.
Wolf was pushed hard by runner-up Shawn ‘Flexatron’ Rhoden and third-place finished Cedric McMillan, both of whose physiques were characterized by full muscle bellies sprouting from tiny joints. It was a 1-2-3 punch of aesthetically-pleasing physiques—a nice nod to bodybuilding’s storied history on the last night in which a bodybuilding competition would be held at the venerable hall, which also happens to be where Arnold Schwarzenegger won his sole Mr. World title, in 1970.
In the 212-pound men’s bodybuilding event, an intensely muscular James ‘Flex’ Lewis impressed with arms that rivaled those of the best of the open class competitors, stellar back, thigh and calf development, and a look reminiscent of bodybuilding legend Danny Padilla, known as the ‘Giant Killer’—a moniker given for his ability to pick off taller competitors with his complete physique. Word has it that Lewis may try his hand at knocking down a few giants of his own next year, by moving into the IFBB men’s open division.
But while bodybuilding is both at the root of the Arnold Sports Festival and its most prestigious event, the extended weekend covers a huge swath of athletic and cultural endeavors, including pursuits ranging from badminton to fitness, art to powerlifting, and supported by an expansive expo at The Greater Columbus Convention Center that attracts some 200,000 sports and fitness enthusiasts from around the globe each year. At the heart of it all are Arnold Sports Festival promoters/founders Jim Lorimer and Arnold Schwarzenegger, whose 38-year partnership turns Columbus, Ohio into a vibrant hotbed of competition, athleticism, and community spirit every winter.
M&F would like to congratulate everyone involved with the production of the Arnold Sports Festival and all of the more than 16,000 athletes who participated. We look forward to see you all again next year.
For photos from the 2014 Arnold Sports Festival CLICK HERE.
For photos from the men’s bodybuilding competition CLICK HERE.
2014 ARNOLD CLASSIC PLACINGS
Veterans Memorial Auditorium; Columbus, Ohio; March 2, 2014
