How Much Money Was Won at the 2024 Arnold Classic?

By
Terry Ramos
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2024 arnold classic prize money and Hadi Choopan
Image courtesy of Instagram (@mrolympiallc)

The 2024 Arnold Classic’s prize money total was nearly $850,000. 

The Arnold Classic is the bodybuilding industry’s second most prestigious event. The 2024 edition not only underscored its significance but also hinted at its potential ascent to the top spot with the highest prize money, a position currently held by Olympia. This year’s contest occurred from March 1 to 3 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio.

This year’s victor at the Arnold Classic walked away with an impressive $300,000, but Arnold Schwarzenegger has already set the stakes higher for next year. The 2025 Arnold Classic Men’s Open champion will receive $500,000, surpassing this year’s $400,000. Schwarzenegger clarified that this increase aims not to outdo Olympia but to promote healthy competition and enhance the athletes’ livelihoods. It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Beyond the enticing rewards awaiting next year, this year’s Arnold Classic participants also departed with substantial earnings. The competition’s prize fund approached $850,000, distributed across seven divisions. Below is a detailed analysis of the prize amounts awarded to the champions and the runners-up in each division at the 2024 Arnold Classic.  

2024 Arnold Classic Winners 

  1. Men’s Open: Hadi Choopan ($300,000)
  2. Classic Physique: Wesley Vissers ($60,000)
  3. Men’s Physique: Diogo Montenegro ($10,000)
  4. Bikini International: Lauralie Chapados ($10,000)
  5. Fitness International: Ariel Khadr ($25,000)
  6. Wellness International: Francielle Mattos ($7,000)
  7. Pro Wheelchair: Rajesh John ($4,000)

Men’s Open Arnold Classic Prize Money 

The 2024 Arnold Classic boasted big names like Samson Dauda, Hadi Choopan, and Rafael Brandao. However, it was a straight competition between Hadi Choopan and Samson Dauda. Both men also netted additional trophies, with the Most Muscular going to Hadi Choopan while Samson Dauda won the Best Poser award. 

Ultimately, Hadi Choopan, the 2022 Mr. Olympia and 2023 runner-up, won the prize. Samson Dauda, who won the title last year, followed him in second place, while Rafael Brandao came in third. 

  1. Hadi Choopan – $300,000
  2. Samson Dauda – $120,000
  3. Rafael Brandao – $70,000
  4. Jonathan De La Rosa- $37,500
  5. James Hollingshead – $20,000
  6. Akim Williams – $12,500

Classic Physique 

 

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A post shared by Wesley Vissers (@wesleyvissers)

The Classic Physique division at the 2024 Arnold Classic was well-contested by big names, such as fan favorite Urs Kalecinski, previous champion Ramon Querioz, Wesley Vissers, and Breon Ansley. While Queiroz boasted of deep and impressive conditioning, Wesley Vissers, the “Dutch Oak,” swept home the prize. Urs Kalencinski came in third but also took home the Best Poser award.

  1. Wesley Vissers – $60,000
  2. Ramon Rocha Queiroz – $30,000
  3. Urs Kalecinski – $20,000
  4. Breon Ansley – $7,000
  5. Michael Daboul – $4,000
  6. Damien Patrick – $2,000

Men’s Physique 

Everyone brought an improved physique for the Men’s Physique category this year. There was also the additional excitement after the final prejudging callout; all four contestants left would be first-time title winners. This fell to Kyron Holden, Vinicius Lima, Victor Chaves, and Diogo Montenegro.

However, the showdown was between Vinicius Lima, Victor Chaves, and Diogo Montenegro. Montenegro, who came second last year, was phenomenal this year, with even the commentary team predicting him as a favorite before the winner was announced. Diogo Montenegro won with his thin waist, capped delts, and impressive conditioning, taking home the top prize.

  1. Diogo Montenegro – $10,000
  2. Vinicius Lima – $6,000
  3. Victor Chaves – $4,000
  4. Kyron Holden – $3,000
  5. Corey Morris – $1,500
  6. Emanuel Hunter – $1,500

Fitness International 

Fitness International contenders for the Arnold Classic this year brought the heat, and fans were impressed. However, the big competition for the top spot was between last year’s Olympia third and fourth-place winners, Jaclyn Baker and Ariel Khadr, respectively. Ariel Khadr, defending her title as last year’s Arnold Classic Fitness winner, repeated her win to clinch the top spot this year, with Hunter coming in a close second.

  1. Ariel Khadr – $25,000
  2. Jaclyn Baker – $13,000
  3. Jodi Boam – $8,000
  4. Michelle Fredua-Mensah -$5,000
  5. Aurika Tyrgale- $3,000
  6. Tamara Vahn – $2,000

Bikini International 

 

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A post shared by Mitchell Gilbert (@gilcoproductions)

This year’s Arnold Classic Bikini International division saw Lauralie Chapados aim to cement her place as a three-time Arnold Classic Bikini winner and succeed. The competition was, however, close, with Chapados needing to bring a fuller look during the finals to avoid being eliminated. She was closely followed by Aimee Delgado, who took sixth place on the Olympia stage last year.

  1. Lauralie Chapados – $10,000
  2. Aimee Delgado – $6,000
  3. Vania Auguste – $4,000
  4. Angelica Teixeira – $3,000
  5. Phoebe Hagan – $1,500
  6. Eli Fernandez – $1,500

Wellness International

 

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A post shared by Francielle Mattos (@franciellemattos)

All eyes were on three-time Olympia champion Francielle Mattos and her runner-up for last year, Isabelle Nunes, in the 2024 Arnold Classic Wellness International category. This was Mattos’ first Arnold Classic, and she was determined to win, but Nunes was ready with her posing skills, lower body density, and impressive stage presence. However, Francielle Mattos ultimately prevailed, sealing the deal with her great flow and aesthetics.

  1. Francielle Mattos – $7,000
  2. Isabelle Nunes – $4,000
  3. Sandra Acal -$3,000
  4. Bruna Seredich – $2,000
  5. Lili Dong – $1,000
  6. Anne-Marie Gobiel – $1,000

Pro Wheelchair 

 

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The Pro Wheelchair division had the biggest surprise at the Arnold Classic this year. When fans saw the name of six-time champion Harold Kelley, it looked like he would win easily this year. However, he ended up coming in fourth place.

This year’s competition was between dark horse Rajesh John and former Arnold Classic Champ Gabriele Andrulli. John shocked everyone by winning the prize, while Andrulli came in second place. 

  1. Rajesh John – $4,000
  2. Gabriele Andrulli – $1,500
  3. Josue Fabiano
  4. Harold Kelley
  5. Gaylon Grigsby
  6. Bradley Betts
  7. Leonard Harmon

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Terry Ramos
Terry Ramos
https://terrys-training.ck.page/b777772623
As a personal trainer and writer, Terry loves changing lives through coaching and the written word. Terry has a B.S. in Kinesiology and is an ACSM Certified Personal Trainer and ISSA Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist. He enjoys playing music, reading, and watching films when he's not writing or training.

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