Columbus, Ohio – 728 of the top amateur competitors from around the world competed in the 9th Annual Arnold Amateur IFBB International Bodybuilding, Fitness, Figure, Bikini and Physique Championships at Battelle Grand and the Greater Columbus Convention Center March 5-7, 2015 as a part of the Arnold Sports Festival.

Overall winners in each division include: competitor numbers in ( )

Men’s Bodybuilding – Lukas Wyler of Switzerland (784)

Men’s Classic Bodybuilding – Aleksei Shaev (8)

Men’s Masters Bodybuilding – Nortom James Murayama of Brasil (64)

Fitness – Giorgia Foroni of Italy (76)

Figure – Janaina Ferreira of Brasil (336)

Figure Masters – Melanie Noel of Canada (422)

Bikini – Anya Ellis of USA (103)

Men’s Physique – Benyamin Jahrami of USA (608)

Women’s Physique – Claudia de Leon Pardo of Mexico (669)

“Athletes represented 62 different countries this year making it one of the biggest international events of its kind,” said Bob Lorimer, owner of MetroFitness Gyms and the event’s co-producer with the Fitness Factory’s Mike Davies.   “We are fortunate to collaborate with such fantastic partners like Rafael Santonja, President of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Jim Manion, President of the Nation Physique Committee who help us bring together so many talented competitors,” Lorimer added.

Arnold Amateur winners in men’s bodybuilding, fitness, figure and bikini who earn Pro-cards will be invited to compete in a future Arnold Classic, Fitness International, Figure International, Bikini International and Physique competitions.

Matthias Botthof, Essa Obaid, Roelly Winklaar
, Tarek Ellsetorhi, Diana Monteiro, Elena Shportun, Marie Garmen Gomez, Sylvia Tremblay and Noemi Olah are among previous Arnold Amateur winners who have competed as professionals in their respective divisions.

Overall winners received tickets to the Arnold Classic finals and were recognized on stage and photographed with Arnold Schwarzenegger. The winners of each weight or height class received a Tony Nowak Arnold Classic jacket.  The top five competitors in each weight or height class received trophies.