Arnold Schwarzenegger Year

[Doelia Lanoue]

NoArnold is complete without its namesake and co-founder, Arnold Schwarzenegger, who attends the sports fest each year. Spectators will spot him here and there Friday through Sunday, as well as at 5K Pump & Run, which begins at 10:30 a.m. Sunday at the convention center.

The Stack3d Select Pavilion is a dedicated area at the front of the Arnold Expo that will house more than 25 exhibitors offering health-and-wellness products such as sports nutrition brands, energy drinks, foods and more.

This is the ninth year for Guns & Hoses and it's also a tiebreaker year since there's a 4-4 split between police and fire, according to Franklin County Sheriff's Office Deputy Troy Speakman, event director for Guns & Hoses.

Donovan Byas, who will represent the Columbus Division of Fire when he defends the heavyweight title he won last year, said he looks forward to both firefighters and police officers getting the chance to showcase talents people don't usually get to see.

"I (went) to the Barack Rec Center as much as possible and trained with E.J. Reed, another pro fighter with the (fire) department. I'm trying as much as I can to balance it with home life and work life to get some sparring in to get ready for this event."

Byas will raise his gloves against Franklin County Sheriff's Office Deputy Joe Smith, a first-time contender. Smith said he "jumped at the opportunity" to take part in Guns & Hoses after being approached by Speakman.

"It's a good opportunity for police and firefighters to come out and have a little bit of competition against each other and battle it out instead of talking trash about each other all the time," Smith said, joking about the friendly rivalry between police and fire.

The 40-year-old officer said Guns & Hoses also is a chance for the competitors to do something aside from their "normal" jobs. "It's a good opportunity for people to come out and see police and firefighters doing something for the community," said Smith, who has done mixed-martial arts in the past.

This year's pugilistic competition will benefit the Fraternal Order of Police Foundation and the International Association of Firefighters to help police officers and firefighters injured in the line of duty, Speakman said.

"I joined a team when I was about 4 or 5. When I got to a level where my coaches could only take me so far, I ended up switching to Integrity. I've been there for eight years; they've helped me to develop and become an international athlete to where I am now," said Bryant, whose athletic career has taken him to many countries including Japan, Bulgaria, Azerbaijan and England.

Challenges in the strength competitions include the elephant bar deadlift of up to 1,100 pounds and the Dinnie Stone carry of more than 700 pounds. The stones are replicas of the Dinnie Stones, a 733-pound pair of granite lifting stones in Potarch, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

If you're looking for the latest in sports gear, apparel and nutrition, there's a good chance you'll find it at the Arnold Expo. The fitness exposition will return to the convention center with more than 800 booths representing 300 companies and three stages of nonstop competitions and entertainment. Stop by and snag an autograph or get your photo taken with your favorite pro bodybuilder or strongman.

Arnold Expo hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission to the expo and most events at the convention center is included in the daily expo ticket. Daily tickets, fast passes that include early admission, are available at arnoldsports.com. Children 14 and younger get into the expo free with a paying adult.

LaLonde also recommended checking out the pro wheelchair bodybuilding events The contenders include reigning champ Harold Kelley, who has won the competition every year since 2016 except in 2022, when Gabriele Andriulli (who also is returning) was the victor.

Admission to the Arnold Expo and most events at the Greater Columbus Convention Center is included in the Daily Expo Ticket. Daily tickets, Fast Passes that include early admission, and 3-Day Tickets are all available at www.arnoldsports.com.

Parking at the Ohio Expo Center will cost $12. Free shuttles will run from the Ohio Expo Center to the Greater Columbus Convention Center Thursday through Sunday. Parking is available at the convention center and nearby lots. Visit columbusconventions.com/park/parking-availability/

The Arnold Sports Festival will take place Thursday through Sunday at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, 400 N. High St., Some events will take place at the Ohio Expo Center, Columbus Athenaeum, Hilton Columbus and Hyatt Regency. See website for specific event times, locations and ticket prices. (arnoldsports.com)

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