The 2024 Arnold Classic, a flagship event within the Arnold Sports Festival held in Columbus, Ohio, once again highlighted the pinnacle of bodybuilding and fitness excellence. With a total prize money nearing $850,000, the competition not only underscored its significance within the bodybuilding industry but also set new benchmarks for the sport. This substantial prize pool reflects the event’s commitment to promoting healthy competition and enhancing the livelihoods of athletes.
Prize Money Distribution
2024 Arnold Classic Winners
- Men’s Open: Hadi Choopan ($300,000)
- Classic Physique: Wesley Vissers ($60,000)
- Men’s Physique: Diogo Montenegro ($10,000)
- Bikini International: Lauralie Chapados ($10,000)
- Fitness International: Ariel Khadr ($25,000)
- Wellness International: Francielle Mattos ($7,000)
- Pro Wheelchair: Rajesh John ($4,000)
The Arnold Classic is renowned for offering one of the most lucrative prize pools in the bodybuilding domain, second only to the Olympia. In 2024, the event maintained its tradition of rewarding athletes handsomely across various divisions:
Men’s Open
The premier category, where Hadi Choopan took home an impressive $300,000 for his first-place finish. The division was fiercely contested, showcasing some of the best talents in bodybuilding, including Samson Dauda and Rafael Brandao, who won $120,000 and $70,000, respectively.
- Hadi Choopan – $300,000
- Samson Dauda – $120,000
- Rafael Brandao – $70,000
- Jonathan De La Rosa- $37,500
- James Hollingshead – $20,000
- Akim Williams – $12,500
Classic Physique
Wesley Vissers, known as the “Dutch Oak,” emerged victorious in this division, claiming a $60,000 prize. The Classic Physique division celebrated aesthetic physiques reminiscent of bodybuilding’s golden era, with competitors like Ramon Rocha Queiroz and Urs Kalecinski also securing significant winnings.
- Wesley Vissers – $60,000
- Ramon Rocha Queiroz – $30,000
- Urs Kalecinski – $20,000
- Breon Ansley – $7,000
- Michael Daboul – $4,000
- Damien Patrick – $2,000
Men’s Physique
Highlighted by Diogo Montenegro’s first-place win, this division awarded $10,000 to its champion. The Men’s Physique competition is known for its emphasis on symmetry, proportion, and an overall athletic look, drawing a highly competitive field.
- Diogo Montenegro – $10,000
- Vinicius Lima – $6,000
- Victor Chaves – $4,000
- Kyron Holden – $3,000
- Corey Morris – $1,500
- Emanuel Hunter – $1,500
Bikini International
Lauralie Chapados, achieving a three-peat, won $10,000. The Bikini division, always a crowd-pleaser, demands balance, stage presence, and conditioning from its competitors.
- Ariel Khadr – $25,000
- Jaclyn Baker – $13,000
- Jodi Boam – $8,000
- Michelle Fredua-Mensah -$5,000
- Aurika Tyrgale- $3,000
- Tamara Vahn – $2,000
Fitness International
Ariel Khadr continued her dominance with a $25,000 prize for her win, showcasing her incredible fitness levels, strength, and creativity in routines.
- Lauralie Chapados – $10,000
- Aimee Delgado – $6,000
- Vania Auguste – $4,000
- Angelica Teixeira – $3,000
- Phoebe Hagan – $1,500
- Eli Fernandez – $1,500
Wellness International
Francielle Mattos, marking her supremacy in the Wellness division, secured $7,000 for her first-place finish. This relatively new category highlights athletes’ lower body strength, aesthetics, and overall balance.
- Francielle Mattos – $7,000
- Isabelle Nunes – $4,000
- Sandra Acal -$3,000
- Bruna Seredich – $2,000
- Lili Dong – $1,000
- Anne-Marie Gobiel – $1,000
Pro Wheelchair
With a prize of $4,000, Rajesh John made history in the Pro Wheelchair division, demonstrating the inclusive and diverse nature of the Arnold Classic.
- Rajesh John – $4,000
- Gabriele Andrulli – $1,500
- Josue Fabiano
- Harold Kelley
- Gaylon Grigsby
- Bradley Betts
- Leonard Harmon
Looking Ahead
The announcement of an increased prize for the 2025 Arnold Classic Men’s Open champion to $500,000 signifies the event’s aspiration to elevate the standard and recognition of professional bodybuilding. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s vision of fostering healthy competition and providing substantial financial rewards to athletes underscores the Arnold Classic’s role in shaping the future of bodybuilding.
As the Arnold Sports Festival continues to grow and attract global talent, it’s clear that the Arnold Classic will remain a key fixture in the bodybuilding calendar, celebrated for its competitive spirit, the excellence of its participants, and the generous rewards on offer.
