The Arnold Classic Fitness Weekend, which is held annually in Columbus, Ohio, was a huge success this year. The weekend included competitions in bodybuilding, fitness, martial arts, gymnastics, arm wrestling, powerlifting, cheerleading and more, as well as one of the largest trade shows and expositions in the business. Heavyweights in the fitness, bodybuilding and even acting world attended the big event. Lou Ferrigno, Bill Kazmeir, Sergio Oliva, Christine Lydon, Monica Brant, Rachael Moore, Colleen Sauvé, Nasser El Sonbaty, Roland Kickinger, Kevin Levrone, James Hyde (the Young and the Restless), Dorian Yates, Gunter Schlierkamp, Vicki Gates, Amy Fadhli and Frank Sepe were among the many "celebs" signing autographs and posing for photographs with fans.

The event also became a bit of a reunion for lots of WTF competitors, many of who had not had the chance to see each other since the fantastic WTF World Challenge in Las Vegas this past July. Sylvia Ferrero, who is presently featured on the cover of Natural Muscle Magazine, represented Dymatize, while Kristia Knowles (recently featured in both Muscle & Fitness and Oxygen magazines), was there with Universal Nutrition. Danielle Nagel was looking fit & hip in Ballistic Bodywear. Gina Oakes, Grace Rivera, Colleen Park, Renee Anderson, Janis Holland, Sharon Henderson, Krissy Morris, Lindsey Browne, Mary Kusiak, Marlene Harden, and Tracey Shoop all wore the colours of VPX. The shining, smiling faces and sexy blue metallic outfits helped to make the large VPX booth the most popular at the exposition. Jennifer Rosen, Kelley Paz, Sheila Law, Theresa Evans, Julie Bedenbaugh, Dawn Forestt, and Melissa Lake, looking great in WTF Bodywear bottoms, available on this website, were representing GEN.

Special thanks to Al Rosen ("we love you, Al!") for making all of the arrangements (including 2 bedroom, 2 bath, kitchen and fireplace luxury hotel suites) for all of the girls who represented VPX and GEN. Additional WTF athletes were there representing the following companies: Sarah Orbanic - Next Nutrition; Sherry Gideons - Bodybuilding.com; Grace Grimes - MET-RX; ShaNay Norvel - Jan Tana; Leah Kadetz - Mak's Bodywear; Melissa Stevens - ProLab; Elizabeth Wozniak - Natural Muscle; Ana Merchen - Labrada.. Additional WTF athletes in attendance were: Tiffany Vandemark, Kim Lyons, Lara McGlashan, Ingrid Marcum, Elizabeth Maurice, Nellie Cruz, Tammy Lynn, Debi Balmert, Diane Quimper, Pam Joiner, Chau Bui, Angela Glenn, Amy Scala, and Camille Eberle. This weekend was definitely exciting, although perhaps exhausting for all.

The competition results were as follows:

Arnold Classic (male bodybuilding)

1.) Jay Cutler
2.) Chris Cormier
3.) Dexter Jackson
4.) Lee Priest
5.) Kevin Levrone
6.) Ahmad Haidar
7.) Dennis James
8.) Ernie Taylor
9.) Quincy Taylor
10.) Nasser El Sonbaty Ms. International Winner (female bodybuilding)

Heavyweight

1.) Yaxeni Oriquen (overall)
2.) Iris Kyle
3.) Vickie Gates
4.) Gayle Moher
5.) Betty Pariso

Lightweight

1.) Valentina Chepiga
2.) Dayana Cadeau
3.) Fanny Barrios
4.) Cathy Priest
5.) Angela Debatin

Fitness International Winner

1.) Susie Curry
2.) Jenny Worth
3.) Jenny Hendershot
4.) Adelina Friedmansky
5.) Stacy Simons
6.) Klaudia Kinska
7.) Tanji Johnson (WTF competitor in 2001 Vegas)
8.) Laura Mak
9.) Shannon Meteraud (WTF competitor in 1998 World Challenge)
10) Laurie Vaniman

Arnold Strongman Winner - Mark Henry-

Article written by Colleen Park,

Monday, February 25th, 2002