December 20, 2016

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Cedric McMillan, who finished second in the 2016 Arnold Classic, will return to the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus this March looking to notch the biggest victory of his professional bodybuilding career.

Shawn Rhoden, who did not compete in Columbus in 2016 but finished second to Phil Heath at the Mr. Olympia; and rising superstar Dallas McCarver are among a field of the 9 professional bodybuilders who will do battle at the 29th Annual Arnold Classic on March 4, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. Justin Compton, fourth in Columbus in 2016, is also in the field.

In the Arnold Classic 212, defending champion Hidetada Yamagishi and 2016 runner-up Jose Raymond lead a field of 10 professionals that includes the entire top six from the 2016 Arnold Classic 212. David Henry, who finished third in Columbus in 2016, and Guy Cisternino, fourth a year ago, will also contend, while Kyong Won Kang (5th in 2016) and Charles Dixon (6th) will look to improve on last year’s showings.

In the Fitness International, three-time defending champion Oksana Grishina and 2016 runner-up Whitney Jones lead an ultra-competitive field of 15 that includes the top five finishers from the 2016 Fitness International. Grishina has become the sport’s dominant star, winning ten straight IFBB Pro League contests.

In the Figure International, defending champion Latorya Watts is the heavy favorite in a field of 15. Gennifer Strobo (3rd), Candice Lewis-Carter (4th), Cydney Gillon (5th) and Heather Dees (6th) are back after finishing in the top six in Columbus a year ago. Michele De Silva Pinto was the overall at the Arnold Amateur in 2016 and earned an automatic invitation.

Defending champion India Paulino leads a field of 18 as she tries and become the first three-time champion in the Bikini International. Paulino also won in Columbus in 2013. She will be challenged by 2016 runner-up Justine Munro and Janet Layug, who was third here a year ago.

In 2017, The Arnold Classic Men’s Physique and Women’s Physique International contests are once again open and do not require an invitation. However, Men’s Physique and Women’s Physique competitors must have finished in the top 10 in an IFBB Pro League contest in the past two years to be eligible in Columbus. More than 30 will compete in Arnold Classic Men’s Physique and more than 40 will compete in Women’s Physique International, including defending champions Brandon Hendrickson and Autumn Swansen. Visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com for the complete competitor lists.

The Arnold Classic 212, Fitness International, Figure International and Physique International will be held on Friday, March 3, 2017; while the Arnold Classic, Arnold Classic Men’s Physique and Bikini International will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017 with prejudging and finals at Battelle Grand.

2017 Arnold Classic, Arnold Classic 212, Fitness International, Figure International, Bikini International Official Invite Lists:

Arnold Classic (9)

Fouad Abiad

Lionel Beyeke

Maxx Charles

Vitaly Fateev

Will Harris

Josh Leonartowicz

Michael Lockett

Dallas McCarver

Cedric McMillan

Juan Morel

Luke Sandoe

Arnold Classic 212 (11)

Ahmad Ashkanani

Guy Cisternino

Charles Dixon

David Henry

Manual Manchado

Jose Raymond

Mitchell Staats

Zane Watson

Quincy Winklaar

Kyong Won Kang

Hidetada Yamagishi

Fitness International (15)

Marta Aguiar

Myriam Capes

Tiffany Chandler

Regiane Da Silva

Kristine Duba

Fiona Harris

Oksana Grishina

Whitney Jones

Ariel Khadr

Dominique Matthews

Ashley Sebera

Rebecca Sizemore

Missy Terwilliger

Aurika Tyrgale

Bethany Wagner

Figure International (15)

Brittany Campbell

Natalia Coelho

Swann De La Rosa

Michele De Silva Pinto

Heather Dees

Cydney Gillon

Stephanie Hammermeister

Ivana Ivusic

Candice Lewis-Carter

Vera Mallet

Julie Mayer

Krystal Ricci

Carly Starling-Horrell

Gennifer Strobo

Latorya Watts

Bikini International (18)

Narmin Assria

Sara Back

Romina Basualdo

Bianca Berry

Iveth Carreon

Natoshia Coleman

Marcia Goncalves Anita Herbert

Janet Layug

Courtney King

Stephanie Mahoe

Christie Marquez

Justine Munro

India Paulino

Jennifer Ronzitti

Michelle Sylvia

Angelica Teixeira

Elizabeth Yisrael

Click "NEXT PAGE" for non-invitational divisions >>

MEN'S PHYSIQUE

Sunny Akhigbe

Duane Brickhouse

George Brown

Vesselin Diev

Raymont Edmonds

Michael Ferguson

André Ferguson

Charlie Francis

Chris Freeman

Jeph Gabriel

Gerardo Gabriel

Brent Guillory

Brandon Hendrickson

Benyamin Jahromi

Henry James

Laquan Jones

Leon McCall

Otto Montgomery

Darnell Moss

Michael Mperey

David Odom

Geobanny Paula

Luis Andy Perez

Hygor Ponchet

Jeremy Potvin

Khali Quartey

Jason Alan Robinson

Tonnell Rodrigue

Bax Rysaac

Kaunaoa McGee Sharp

Ryan Terry

David Thorpe

Tony Tirado

Alex Woodson

Long W

WOMEN'S PHYSIQUE

Tomefafa Ameko

B Barnett

Daniely Castilho

Cinzia Clapp

Antoinette Downie

Lorena Inarro Duque

Jessica Gaines

Heather Grace

Lenore Gregson

Rocio Guillen

Hanna Hallman

Sheronica Henton

Monica Hornbeck

Melanie Horton

Erin Hutchinson

Akane Nigro Ismeal

Michelle Jin

Rosela Joseph

Candrea Judd-Adams

Anne Marie Kam

Carrie Lawyer

Loan Leonard

Zoa Linsey

Sandra Lombardo

Donna McGinn

Geraldine Morgan

Jaquita Person

Dona Pohl

Tamara Qureshi

Danielle Reardon

Joanna Romano

Leonie Rose

Lisa Marie Sanders

Angel Saucier

Diana Schnaidt

Alana Shipp

Mikaila Soto

Autumn Swansen

Indrell Thomas

Leila Thompson

Brooke Walker

Margita Zamolova

WHEELCHAIR

Adelfo Cerame Jr.

Antoni Khadraoui

Colt Wynn

Danielle Minster

Gabriele Andriulli

Harold Kelley

Jack Anderson

Johnny Quinn

Joshua Foster

Kyle Roberts



The 29th Annual Arnold Classic, Arnold Classic 212, Fitness International, Figure International and Bikini International contests will be held March 3-4, 2017 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Visit www.ticketmaster.com/arnold or 800-745-3000 for ticket information. VIP Ticket Packages and individual event tickets are available.

For more information, including schedules, locations and hours, visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.