As the bodybuilding world starts to turn its attention towards 2024, all roads lead to the official kickoff of the contest season in Columbus, Ohio, for, what looks to be, one of the most highly anticipated Arnold Classic’s that we’ve had in recent memory. Next year’s event is set to go down on March 1-3 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, where bodybuilding and fitness fans will have a chance to see some of the most competitive lineups in history at one of the industry’s most prestigious events.
Last year's Men’s Open turned out to be one for the ages, as Samson Dauda cemented himself as one of the most dominant forces in all of bodybuilding on the way to winning his first title, as he flat-lined a deep roster that included former winner Nick Walker, former two-time Olympia champ Big Ramy, current 212 Olympia title holder Shaun Clarida, and former Arnold Classic UK champion Andrew Jacked.
Despite the notable absence of Nick Walker, who decided to pass on this year’s contest as he continues to rehab a hamstring injury that forced him to pull out of this year’s Olympia, the 2024 AC lineup isn’t short on star power. Names like Samson Dauda headline the Men’s Open, as he aims to etch his name in the record books alongside other all-time greats who’ve earned back-to-back victories. Both literally and figuratively, the biggest addition to this year’s lineup comes from 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan, who is on the hunt for redemption following his loss to Derek Lunsford back in November. This year’s Open division also features its fair share of heavy fire power including the likes of Andrew Jacked, Rubiel ‘Neckzilla’ Mosquera, along with handful of other Olympia caliber athletes.
In Classic Physique, reigning champion Ramon Rocha Queiroz headlines this year’s roster, as he looks to become just the second athlete ever to secure back-to-back Classic Physique titles.
The Men’s Physique division, with the absence of two-time winner Erin Banks, is essentially wide-open. Early on, experts inside the division seem to be shining a spotlight on contenders like Diogo Montenegro and Corey Morris, both of whom are coming off career years in 2023.
As usual, the Women’s divisions are also completely loaded with talent from top to bottom in Fitness, Bikini, and Wellness, with champions like Ariel Khadr, Lauralie Chapados, and Francielle Mattos all coming back to defend their titles from last season. In the Bikini division, it’s also worth noting the return of former Olympia and Bikini International champ, Angelica Teixeira, who’s making her first trip to the stage in nearly three years following the birth of her first child.
