The 2024 Arnold Classic took place from February 29 to March 3 and concluded with a total of $850,000 awarded to its participants. This article breaks down what each competitor earned at the second-biggest bodybuilding event of the year.
No one could have predicted how the 2024 Arnold Classic would unfold. In the headlining act, Hadi Choopan showcased one of his best physiques to date, defeating the former 2023 AC titleholder Samson Dauda, whose fullness and size presented its fair share of challenges on stage. In the end, Choopan took home the lion’s share of prize money, which amounted to a life-changing $300,000.
Seven divisions were featured in Columbus, Ohio including the Open, Classic Physique, Men’s Physique, Men’s Pro Wheelchair, Wellness, Bikini, and Fitness. Given the pressure and stakes involved, competitors brought their best in hopes of establishing themselves as bodybuilding frontrunners for the upcoming Olympia competition.
2024 Arnold Classic Winners and Prize Money
- Men’s Open: Hadi Choopan – $300,000
- Classic Physique: Wesley Vissers – $60,000
- Men’s Physique: Diogo Montenegro – $10,000
- Bikini International: Lauralie Chapados – $10,000
- Fitness International: Ariel Khadr – $25,000
- Wellness International: Francielle Mattos – $7,000
- Men’s Pro Wheelchair: Rajesh John – $4,000
Men’s Open Prize Money
The Men’s Open division put on a stellar show for fans in Columbus, Ohio. Prejudging and finals saw former 2022 Mr. Olympia Hadi Choopan battle with the then-reigning champion, Samson Dauda for gold.
Given that Dauda entered this competition with momentum thanks to Pro show victories at the 2023 Romania Muscle Fest Pro and EVLS Prague Pro, many fans anticipated him to walk away with the victory. In the end, Choopan brought the perfect combination of size and conditioning to clinch the big win. This sets him up for a showdown with the reigning Mr. Olympia Derek Lunsford.
- Hadi Choopan – $300,000
- Samson Dauda – $120,000
- Rafael Brandao – $70,000
- Jonathan Delarosa – $37,000
- James Hollingshead – $20,000
- Akim Williams – $12,000
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Classic Physique Prize Money
Perhaps the biggest shock of the night happened in the Classic Physique division. While most fans anticipated a close battle between Ramon Rocha Queiroz and Urs Kalecinski, it ended up being Wesley Vissers’ golden era look that sealed the deal.
Standing at 6 feet three inches, Vissers possesses some unique advantages on stage, which could spell trouble for the reigning five-time Classic Physique Olympia Chris Bumstead in the near future. Ultimately, Vissers left Ohio with an extra $60,000 in his pocket.
- Wesley Vissers – $60,000
- Ramon Rocha Queiroz – $30,000
- Urs Kalecinski – $20,000
- Breon Ansley – $7,000
- Michael Daboul – $4,000
- Damien Patrick – $2,000
Men’s Physique Prize Money
In the Men’s Physique category, competitors brought combinations of conditioning and fullness in hopes of winning a major bodybuilding title. Diogo Montenegro, a regular top finisher at the Mr. Olympia competitions, secured the biggest win of his career at the 2024 Arnold Classic, defeating notable threats such as Vinicius Lima, Victor Chaves, and Kyron Holden.
Following an epic display of posing and an emotional post-win moment with Arnold Schwarzenegger, Diogo Montenegro left the event with $10,000.
- Diogo Montenegro – $10,000
- Vinicius Lima – $6,000
- Victor Chaves – $4,000
- Kyron Holden – $3,000
- Corey Morris – $1,500
- Emanuel Hunter – $1,500
Fitness International Prize Money
It was a thrilling night at the 2024 Arnold Classic which saw Fitness competitors showcase not only impressive physiques but mind-blowing individual posing routines. Ariel Khadr entered the event as a two-time titleholder and thanks to her Predator posing routine, she exited once again with her head held high, having cemented her status as a three-time Fitness International champion.
Khadr earned a $25,000 payday, with Jaclyn Baker and Jodi Boam trailing in second and third place, netting $13,000 and $8,000, respectively.
- Ariel Khadr – $25,000
- Jaclyn Baker – $13,000
- Jodi Boam – $8,000
- Michelle Fredua-Mensah – $5,000
- Aurika Tyrgale – $3,000
- Tamara Vahn – $2,000
Bikini International Prize Money
Fans of the Bikini division witnessed history on Day 2 of the 2024 Arnold Classic. Despite a close-fought battle with standout Aimee Delgado, who brought balance and aesthetics, the complete package of defending champion Lauralie Chapados was impossible to ignore.
Following an intense final call-out and confirmation rounds, Lauralie Chapados emerged as a three-time Arnold Classic Bikini International titleholder. She was awarded $10,000 for her efforts while Delgado settled for a $6,000 cash prize.
- Lauralie Chapados – $10,000
- Aimee Delgado – $6,000
- Vania Auguste – $4,000
- Angelica Teixeira – $3,000
- Phoebe Hagan – $1,500
- Eli Fernandez – $1,500
Wellness International Prize Money
As for the Wellness division, it came down to a two-woman show: reigning three-time Wellness Olympia queen Francielle Mattos and Isabelle Nunes. Both women brought exceptional looks to the stage but judges favored Mattos’ presentation and physique the most.
After making a compelling case for the victory, Mattos earned the second-biggest bodybuilding title in the IFBB Pro League. Her success led to a $7,000 prize money award with Nunes earning $4,000 on the grand stage.
- Francielle Mattos – $7,000
- Isabelle Nunes- $4,000
- Sandra Acal – $3,000
- Bruna Seredich – $2,000
- Lili Dong – $1,000
- Anne-Marie Gobiel – $1,000
Men’s Pro Wheelchair Prize Money
Fans saw a massive shake-up in the Men’s Pro Wheelchair division in Columbus, Ohio. Even though Harold ‘King Kong’ Kelley entered the event a massive favorite with six Arnold Classic titles to his name, he found himself out-gunned on stage by former AC champ Gabriele Andrulli and Rejesh John.
With some of the best arms and shoulders on the roster, Rejesh John pulled off the major upset victory, adding $4,000 to his name. Meanwhile, Gabriele Andrulli finished the event in second place with one of his best looks yet, earning $1,500.
- Rajesh John – $4,000
- Gabriele Andrulli – $1,500
- Josue Fabiano
- Harold Kelley
- Gaylon Grigsby
- Bradley Betts
- Leonard Harmon
In an unprecedented move, Arnold Schwarzenegger revealed that the prize money for the 2025 Arnold Classic skyrocketed to $500,000 for the Men’s Open winner next year, only adding to the allure of the prestigious show.
Given the latest changes to the prize money for the 2025 Arnold Classic, fans expect one of the sport’s best Open lineups next year. With half a million dollars on the line, there’s no telling who will enter!
RELATED: 2024 IFBB Pro League Official Contest Schedule Released
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