Here is how to tune in to the 2021 Arnold Classic and the athletes to keep an eye on.
The bodybuilding season is approaching some of the biggest events of the year. It begins with the 2021 Arnold Classic, which will take place on Sept. 25 in Columbus, OH. If you are not able to be there in person, it is important to know how to watch the show from the comfort of your own home.
The Arnold Sports Festival will be providing a free webcast for those who cannot be there. The prejudging webcast begins at 10 A.M. and the finals webcast will begin at 6:30 P.M. The commentators are unknown at this time but it is likely that Arnold Schwarzenegger and 2017 Arnold Classic Champion Cedric McMillan will be involved — whether it is on commentary or on stage.
The 2021 Arnold Classic will feature four divisions. This is a condensed version of the show that was pushed back because of COVID-19. The 2020 show featured eight divisions. In 2021, expect some of the top competitors from Men’s Open, Classic Physique, Bikini, and Fitness to be present.
Below, you can find the full list of competitors along with the biggest names to keep an eye on once the event begins.
2021 Arnold Classic: Athletes To Watch
Men’s Open
William Bonac is the clear name to watch heading into Columbus. He is the reigning champion after winning his second Arnold Classic in 2020 — 2018 was his first victory. Bonac has competed in every Olympia since 2014 with a second-place finish in 2019. The lineup is missing two big names with McMillan withdrawing with an injury and Lionel Beyeke dealing with travel restrictions.
Bonac will have to deal with the likes of Iain Valliere and Steve Kuclo. Valliere has been dynamic in 2021 so far with victories at the Tampa Pro and Texas Pro in consecutive weekends. He has been training heavy in the gym but has been able to keep his incredible physique in competition shape. Kuclo, who finished second to Valliere in the Texas Pro, will enter with experience at the Arnold Classic and with six Olympia appearances under his belt.
Akim Williams and Hassan Mostafa are other impact performers. Williams picked up a victory and Olympia qualification during the Puerto Rico Pro. Mostafa is currently second in the points standings with an eye on the biggest competition of the year.
Complete Roster
- William Bonac
- Maxx Charles
- Mohamed El Emam
- Steve Kuclo
- Seung Chul Lee
- Hassan Mostafa
- Sergio Oliva Jr.
- Justin Rodriguez
- Iain Valliere
- Nick Walker
- Akim Williams
- Roelly Winklaar
Classic Physique
Alex Cambronero is one of the returning champs from the 2020 Arnold Classic. He has a chance to be the first repeat champion in the Classic Physique division here in 2021. Cambronero switched to Classic Physique from 212 after a successful run in that division. Cambronero finished fourth in last year’s Olympia.
One of the competitors who bested Cambronero at the 2020 Olympia was Terrence Ruffin. He finished second to Chris Bumstead. Ruffin finished second to Cambronero at the Arnold Classic last season so this storyline is one to keep an eye on heading into the event. Courage Opara is a dark-horse contender for the title this year after finishing in the top three in each of the last two years.
Complete Roster
- Alex Cambronero
- Deontrai Campbell
- Jarek Crew
- Logan Franklin
- Bryan Jones
- Fabian Mayr
- Courage Opara
- Terrence Ruffin
- Tony Tavares
- Dani Younan
Bikini
Elisa Pecini has been a force in the Bikini division for years now. She is coming off a victory at the 2020 Arnold Classic and 2019 Olympia Bikini. She finished sixth at the Olympia last year but will look to return to dominance. Jennifer Dorie seems to be her biggest competition, along with Lauralie Chapados. Dorie finished second at the 2020 Olympia and Chapados won the Chicago Pro this year.
Ashley Kaltwasser and Breena Martinez have both been on stage this season which will help moving forward. The Bikini division is extremely competitive and that makes for an entertaining show in Columbus.
Complete Roster
- Romina Basauldo
- Lauralie Chapados
- Jennifer Dorie
- Jasmine Gonzalez
- Ashley Kaltwasser
- Jourdanne Lee
- Priscilla Leimbacher
- Breena Martinez
- Gabriella Messias
- Elisa Pecini
Fitness
Missy Truscott is the reigning Olympia and Fitness International champion. Who did she defeat in both? That would be Oksana Grishina and Whitney Jones. This makes for a must-see division at the Arnold Classic.
Grishina has totaled 13 victories from 2011-2017 before taking some time off. Jones finished third in the Olympia and won the 2018 and 2019 Mr. Olympia and 2018 Figure International competition. There is a strong chance that this group finishes at the top in this event but there are other names to watch, such as Aurika Tyrgale.
Complete Roster
- Jaclyn Baker
- Darrian Borello
- Amanda Ciani
- Oksana Grishina
- Whitney Jones
- Sally Kendall-Williams
- Ariel Khadr
- Minna Pajulahti
- Missy Truscott
- Aurika Tyrgale
Generation Iron will have full coverage of the 2021 Arnold Classic. For more news and updates, follow Generation Iron on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.