Post by 1705total on Mar 5, 2006 8:37:23 GMT -5
I have attended the Arnold Classic several times now. Each time has presented me with a plethora of fine memories. The entire experience is worth every penny, no matter how much I spend (don’t tell my wife that).
The first time was in 1992, my wife had paid for me to go with a VIP ticket. That year Vince Taylor won the show over Mohammed Benazziza, and Sonny Schmidt. That was also the year Paula Birmenshaw was placed out of the top 5 of the Ms. International, which caused a near riot. She came out onto the stage during the final posedown, and made rude gestures at the judging panel, and the audience loved it. It was also the year that Arnold congratulated Lee Haney on breaking his record of 7 Mr. Olympia’s. The superstar seminar had Arnold and Franco up on stage talking about the good old days (which was extremely funny), and Lee Haney and Vince Taylor talking about the good old new days. It was awesome. I also had my picture taken with Arnold and let me tell you that was something I shall never forget. In 1992, the expo was in the downstairs portion of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. There was maybe half a dozen booths. I met Larry Scott, John Balik, and many others in the industry. I also ran into Ron Love who remembered me from a show I did in 1987 as a teenager!!!!! I bumped into a then amateur, but incredibly thick Mike Francois. I also had my picture taken with Flex Wheeler, and the one and only Myth Sergio Oliva!!!
The second time I had the opportunity to go was when my wife, yet again, gave me a VIP ticket in 1998. Flex Wheeler had beaten Nasser El Sonbaty for the title for the second year in a row. Mike Francois was rumored to compete, but unbeknownst to us he was in the hospital with near fatal incident with health problems that later forced him into retirement. The expo had grown to near giant proportions, and the entire event began to take on a life of its own. At the expo I saw many eye boggling things. I saw Ronnie Coleman at the METRx booth posing. I also saw Ronnie bench 225, like 78 times to win some bench off against Jimmy Pellichella. I bumped into Magnus von Magnuson (strongest man in the world 3 times) and was amazed at how big (not muscular) he was! Jay Culter, who had yet to compete as a pro, had the largest arms I had ever seen. The best part again happened at the seminar. As you know, Arnold gives away a trip for one ticket holder to fly out to California and spend some time with him. This year a man won, but when he walked onstage, he said something like this: “Arnold, my 18 year old son loves you. I bought these tickets for him. I’m just a truck driver and I wanted to do something nice for him. Is there anyway I can give him this ticket, instead of me.” Arnold said “I tell you what, You and your son, as well as your entire family, can all come out to California and share in the trip!” The crowd erupted in cheers over this generous gift!
This year a friend asked me to join him, along with a local gym owner and friends, on his first trip up and see the expo. There was 10 of us, who made the drive from Pittsburgh to Columbus on Friday morning. The goal was to hit the Expo on Friday, then return to the hotel room, maybe go out later that evening, and then return to the expo for one last look and return home Saturday. My wife and I thought perhaps we would join them but that fell through I went with them, leaving the wife and kids behind.
As it turned out, I only attended the expo on Friday. Now over the recent months I had the opportunity to write several reviews for Wayne Gallasch of GMV productions. Wayne has been super nice, and a terrific gentleman. He has posted my reviews as well as carried on communications via email with me. Now Wayne has been involved with our sport for several generations, going back to the mid 60’s. It is fair to say that this man has lived a charmed life (one the he has worked extremely hard for), has seen about everything! From Arnold’s first Universe win, to many pro shows in many different organizations. His contributions to the sport are unparallel, to any other filmmaker, with perhaps the exception of George Butler. His shear volume of work is beyond approach of any other filmmaker out on the market today. When Wayne became aware that I would be attending this years Arnold, he asked me to stop and see him.
Well while he was filming the women’s events, I was able to introduce myself. But he was very busy, so I left him to his work. I did manage to speak with him, and his lovely wife Tina, along with their son Sean, after the show. These are great people. They love the sport and love what they do. Tireless workers in industry in which they fight very hard for every opportunity they get. The impression that I got from Wayne, is that this is a true labor of love for him and his family. Meeting him, Tina, and Sean, was the highlight of the trip. I only wish I could have spent more time with Wayne, but do to work constraints and traveling with friends, I had to return home on Saturday.
The expo is now at the convention center with many more events taking place. I got to interact with many pros and different people. The booths were interesting, but I was struck by how many pros I didn’t see rather then see. Perhaps it was too early in the event. As I was walking through the isle ways, my friend bumped into Marious Pudginowski (Worlds strongest man)! Talk about the total package of size, strength, and muscularity. Truly amazing. We also saw the world’s champion arm wrestler who gave anyone and everyone a chance to arm wrestle him. Person after person failed to even budge his arm. You could see how he was simply toying with everyone, but it was awesome to watch. Many of the booths with the exception of Pinnacle, Red Line, Vyotech, and BSN, had toned down the scantly clad women. Yet hotties were everywhere! All in all it was a good time. Next year, I might be able to convince my friend to get a VIP ticket, and he and his family can join me and mine. Perhaps I can meet up with Wayne again and make it an even more enjoyable time.
But the highlight was definitely meeting Wayne. So to Wayne I thank you for your time and generosity. You are a true gentleman, and a credit to our sport. Thank you for your time.
The first time was in 1992, my wife had paid for me to go with a VIP ticket. That year Vince Taylor won the show over Mohammed Benazziza, and Sonny Schmidt. That was also the year Paula Birmenshaw was placed out of the top 5 of the Ms. International, which caused a near riot. She came out onto the stage during the final posedown, and made rude gestures at the judging panel, and the audience loved it. It was also the year that Arnold congratulated Lee Haney on breaking his record of 7 Mr. Olympia’s. The superstar seminar had Arnold and Franco up on stage talking about the good old days (which was extremely funny), and Lee Haney and Vince Taylor talking about the good old new days. It was awesome. I also had my picture taken with Arnold and let me tell you that was something I shall never forget. In 1992, the expo was in the downstairs portion of the Veterans Memorial Auditorium. There was maybe half a dozen booths. I met Larry Scott, John Balik, and many others in the industry. I also ran into Ron Love who remembered me from a show I did in 1987 as a teenager!!!!! I bumped into a then amateur, but incredibly thick Mike Francois. I also had my picture taken with Flex Wheeler, and the one and only Myth Sergio Oliva!!!
The second time I had the opportunity to go was when my wife, yet again, gave me a VIP ticket in 1998. Flex Wheeler had beaten Nasser El Sonbaty for the title for the second year in a row. Mike Francois was rumored to compete, but unbeknownst to us he was in the hospital with near fatal incident with health problems that later forced him into retirement. The expo had grown to near giant proportions, and the entire event began to take on a life of its own. At the expo I saw many eye boggling things. I saw Ronnie Coleman at the METRx booth posing. I also saw Ronnie bench 225, like 78 times to win some bench off against Jimmy Pellichella. I bumped into Magnus von Magnuson (strongest man in the world 3 times) and was amazed at how big (not muscular) he was! Jay Culter, who had yet to compete as a pro, had the largest arms I had ever seen. The best part again happened at the seminar. As you know, Arnold gives away a trip for one ticket holder to fly out to California and spend some time with him. This year a man won, but when he walked onstage, he said something like this: “Arnold, my 18 year old son loves you. I bought these tickets for him. I’m just a truck driver and I wanted to do something nice for him. Is there anyway I can give him this ticket, instead of me.” Arnold said “I tell you what, You and your son, as well as your entire family, can all come out to California and share in the trip!” The crowd erupted in cheers over this generous gift!
This year a friend asked me to join him, along with a local gym owner and friends, on his first trip up and see the expo. There was 10 of us, who made the drive from Pittsburgh to Columbus on Friday morning. The goal was to hit the Expo on Friday, then return to the hotel room, maybe go out later that evening, and then return to the expo for one last look and return home Saturday. My wife and I thought perhaps we would join them but that fell through I went with them, leaving the wife and kids behind.
As it turned out, I only attended the expo on Friday. Now over the recent months I had the opportunity to write several reviews for Wayne Gallasch of GMV productions. Wayne has been super nice, and a terrific gentleman. He has posted my reviews as well as carried on communications via email with me. Now Wayne has been involved with our sport for several generations, going back to the mid 60’s. It is fair to say that this man has lived a charmed life (one the he has worked extremely hard for), has seen about everything! From Arnold’s first Universe win, to many pro shows in many different organizations. His contributions to the sport are unparallel, to any other filmmaker, with perhaps the exception of George Butler. His shear volume of work is beyond approach of any other filmmaker out on the market today. When Wayne became aware that I would be attending this years Arnold, he asked me to stop and see him.
Well while he was filming the women’s events, I was able to introduce myself. But he was very busy, so I left him to his work. I did manage to speak with him, and his lovely wife Tina, along with their son Sean, after the show. These are great people. They love the sport and love what they do. Tireless workers in industry in which they fight very hard for every opportunity they get. The impression that I got from Wayne, is that this is a true labor of love for him and his family. Meeting him, Tina, and Sean, was the highlight of the trip. I only wish I could have spent more time with Wayne, but do to work constraints and traveling with friends, I had to return home on Saturday.
The expo is now at the convention center with many more events taking place. I got to interact with many pros and different people. The booths were interesting, but I was struck by how many pros I didn’t see rather then see. Perhaps it was too early in the event. As I was walking through the isle ways, my friend bumped into Marious Pudginowski (Worlds strongest man)! Talk about the total package of size, strength, and muscularity. Truly amazing. We also saw the world’s champion arm wrestler who gave anyone and everyone a chance to arm wrestle him. Person after person failed to even budge his arm. You could see how he was simply toying with everyone, but it was awesome to watch. Many of the booths with the exception of Pinnacle, Red Line, Vyotech, and BSN, had toned down the scantly clad women. Yet hotties were everywhere! All in all it was a good time. Next year, I might be able to convince my friend to get a VIP ticket, and he and his family can join me and mine. Perhaps I can meet up with Wayne again and make it an even more enjoyable time.
But the highlight was definitely meeting Wayne. So to Wayne I thank you for your time and generosity. You are a true gentleman, and a credit to our sport. Thank you for your time.
