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Arnold Classic |
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Dexter Jackson Wins Record-Tying Fourth Arnold Classic Title
Dexter Jackson made history at the 25th Anniversary of the Arnold Classic when the Jacksonville, Fla., native won his record-tying fourth title while make his 14th career appearance in the IFBB Pro League contest held on March 2 at the Veterans Memorial auditorium in Columbus, Ohio.
Jackson, who also won the Arnold Classic in 2005, 2006 and 2008, tied the record of the great Flex Wheeler, who took home championships in 1993, 1997, 1998 and 2000.
For the win, Jackson earned $130,00 and was awarded the Arnold Classic trophy and a Tony Nowak Originals Champions Jacket.
Ben Pakulski of Canada, making his third Arnold Classic appearance, finished a career-best second place and earned $75,000. Pakulski also earned the contest’s Most Muscular Trophy.
Toney Freeman of Atlanta, finished a career-best third place and earned $50,000. The popular Freeman was also third in 2007.
The rest of the top six included fourth-place Johnnie Jackson of Texas ($30,000), fifth-place Hidetada Yamagishi of Japan ($15,000) and sixth-place Cedric McMillan of New Jersey ($10,000).
Fred Smalls of Townsend, Del., earned $10,000 for the Best Posing Award.
Also competing in the 25th Anniversary of the Arnold Classic were Fouad Abiad of Canada, Darrem Charles of Trinidad & Tobago, Marcus Haley of the United States, Michael Kefalianos of Australia, Edward Nunn of Indiana, Ronny Rockel of Germany and Fred Smalls of United States.
In recognition of the 25th Anniversary of the Arnold, promoters Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim Lorimer honored the event’s previous champions: Rich Gaspari (1989(, Mike Ashley (1990), Shawn Ray (1991), Vince Taylor (1992), Wheeler, Michael Francois (1995), Ronnie Coleman (2001), Jay Cutler (2002, 2003, 2004), Jackson, Victor Martinez (2007), Kai Greene (2009, 2010) and Branch Warren (2011, 2012). Kevin Levrone (1994) and Nasser El Sonbaty (1999) were not present.
Lifetime Achievement Award
The 2013 Arnold Schwarzegger Liftetime Achievement Award was presented to Rich Gaspari, winner of the inaugural Arnold Classic in 1989 and founder of the successful supplement company Gaspari Nutrition. Gaspari was inducted into the IFBB Hall of Fame in 2004. In addition to the 1989 Arnold Classic, Gaspari’s also won the Mr. America and Mr. Universe amateur titles and the professional Mr. World contest.
Arnold Classic Winners
1989: Rich Gaspari
1990: Mike Ashley
1991: Shawn Ray
1992: Vince Taylor
1993: Flex Wheeler
1994: Kevin Levrone
1995: Michael Francois
1996: Kevin Levrone
1997: Flex Wheeler
1998: Flex Wheeler
1999: Nasser El Sonbaty
2000: Flex Wheeler
2001: Ronnie Coleman
2002: Jay Cutler
2003: Jay Cutler
2004: Jay Cutler
2005: Dexter Jackson
2006: Dexter Jackson
2007: Victor Martinez
2008: Dexter Jackson
2009: Kai Greene
2010: Kai Greene
2011: Branch Warren
2012: Branch Warren
2013: Dexter Jackson
Ticket and Contact Information
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Event chair: Bob Lorimer
Media contact: Matt Lorz
