The 2019 Arnold Classic Africa had it all this year

Africa’s largest multi-sport event returned to Sandton for a fourth time, bringing with it all the hype and sporting action one could imagine.

Whether ten-pin bowling, fencing, various forms of martial arts, figure skating, archery, badminton, netball, chess and braille chess, speed cubes, bodybuilding and more, the 2019 Arnold Classic Africa had it all.

Arnold Schwarzenegger himself attended this year, and were it not for an unfortunate incident of a fan kicking him in the back, the event would have run without a hitch.

“This is exactly the way we want to promote sports,” Schwarzenegger told media at the start of the weekend of 17 to 19 May.

“We are welcoming everyone and we want to always urge every gym owner out there and every food supplement company and every equipment company to think about that: If you want to be really successful, you can only be successful if you are reaching out to every single community and there is no one left behind.”

He said this was what the whole event was about – including every sport and sports person. Schwarzenegger missed the event last year as he had to have surgery.

“I am back [in South Africa] and I will be back every time unless something happens health wise again, which I don’t think it will. I just love coming back here.”

Regarding the fan kicking Schwarzenegger in the back, the former actor, bodybuilder, and politician said he did not intend to lay charges of assault against the fan.

“Thanks for your concerns but there is nothing to worry about,” he tweeted afterwards. “I thought I was just jostled by the crowd, which happens a lot. I only realised I was kicked when I saw the video like all of you. I’m just glad the idiot didn’t interrupt my Snapchat.”

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https://staging.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/226436/night-run-kicks-off-arnold-classic-africa/

https://staging.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/226372/watch-man-kicks-arnold-schwarzenegger-back-arnold-classic-africa-sandton/