The Ninth Annual Arnold Classic, 1997

ASF TV is the Official Channel of the Arnold Sports Festival.

[@ginoferrara3778]

These 90s Arnold Classic events with Arnold hosting them are the best bodybuilding shows ever

[@guntertorfs6486]

Schwarzenegger : one of the most dishonest commentators ever.

[@MegatronRacing237]

Vince always seems positive. Seems like a fun nice guy

[@keem31]

When we talk about uncrowned Mr. O’s like Flex and Kevin, I think a lot of us forget about how great Vince Taylor was

[@leudybautista9443]

wow!vince taylor what a proportion phisique very complete shred,condictioning

[@gfjgcgfhcbb7483]

If Vince would’ve started bb a lot earlier his career would’ve been even better it’s crazy how developed his physique was for a guy who started training in his 30’s

[@illwitness]

Absolutely right bro.

[@krystofodehnal9448]

None of them is uncrowded as they never were the best guys on the olympia stage, dummy

[@KrishnaSingh-ow1ie]

How about nasser El sonbsty. He should of beat Dorian Yates.

[@matthewshove8678]

I wish they still televised the Arnold on ESPN

[@NR-pn6mn]

With today’s self marketing and modern technology you don’t need it. Plus ESPN is barely keeping up to stay relevant.

[@richardlawson6787]

It's a dying spectacle...somehow sheer size became the game not the most flawless body

[@nducation8039]

Flex was absolutely perfect in this competition. I wish bodybuilders still looked like this.

[@JB-zo7ln]

Look at this amazing lineup. I an remember watching this back when bodybuilding was a actually televised. I didn't know I was watching all hall of famers and the greatest era of bodybuilding never to be replicated since.

[@chefmastershake]

Absolutely amazing!

[@strahilvoivoda7515]

Also Ronnie.....

[@litrobean95]

Vince Taylor is the most entertaining bodybuilder I’ve ever seen.

[@rafaelviego1889]

What a line up! Everyone lookedGreat.

[@j.d.norcross9362]

I love how harshly Arnold judges these competitors, especially when they fail to control their midsections. These days guts much worse than Aaron Baker's won't even be noticed.

[@danielfiliberti186]

J.D. Norcross y

[@kendesjarlais7577]

Arnold criticized Ronnie Coleman like he was a 13-year-old and his first time up there. Good grief. Arnold would’ve lost to Ronnie in a heartbeat

[@DarkoFitCoach]

@@kendesjarlais7577 even ronnie says arnold is greatest of all time so stfu idiot

[@brentdraper4382]

@@DarkoFitCoach because he’s a humble guy dumbass lol ronnie 8x mr o arnold 7x mr o (one was rigged) so 6x ronnie is king.

[@DaOlLuLe]

@@brentdraper4382 Arnold also won against a weaker lineup. If you can even count his first 3 wins where he was up against a grande total of 0-3 different people. 1971 everyone but Arnold was disqualified effectively winning by default lmao.

[@dexterlacroy4132]

Epic lineup. All killer - No filler.

[@thecodetoad6098]

Nassar was INSANE from the front. That level of thickness and definition could easily win an Olympia this day and age. His back was pretty soft and small though. Surprised that his back could be so less developed compared to his front.

[@MarkMetternichPhotographyLLC]

His back sucked.

[@jgamez5023]

That was always his weakness.

[@deegan463]

Thanks so much from the bottom of my heart, for uploading broadcasts of the Arnold Classic from when I was a kid. Lee Priest posing down to "When you put your heart in it" by Kenny Rogers bahahaha.

[@ZhangHell]

Wow what a lucky find!! Thank you so much for posting this gem.

[@justinpenn1085]

Arnold: Paul dillett is "very strong and trains with tremendously heavy weights" 😂

[@jasongenova1741]

Understatement of the century

[@Gbonejohn1974]

@@jasongenova1741 over statement surely ?

[@theghost3061]

Jason Genova smh

[@Abaddon3x7]

Completely wrong, Dillett is known for not using heavy weight, I saw him at a BB seminar back in the day, lots of people asking him what his lift for this or that was, and he said he didn't lift heavy and people in the audience would be stronger than him, seeing as heavy duty training was popular in the UK.

[@justinpenn1085]

@@Abaddon3x7 duh genius, everybody knows that. I was being facetious, did you not notice the quotations and the laughing crying face...

[@yhideit4427]

Flex looked Incredible here. !

[@thomasdietz579]

Kind of strange Arnold talking about Dillet training extremly heavy, because he was known to not do that AT ALL and when Dillet does a rear lat spread Arnold says it´s great....... Dillet was know for having everything, BUT just not a back

[@tonysmith53214]

He was just being polite...

[@MarkMetternichPhotographyLLC]

@@tonysmith53214 He was being political.

[@minhazhaque528]

Or maybe, sarcastic.

[@bodybldrmarcus]

Dillet had THE most potential to Mr. O and an Arnold Classic champ but he could never display his physique well enough to be a threat. He had the size and shape to win pretty much every show but he couldn't pose for sh*t!!!

[@Gbonejohn1974]

heclearly knows very little and was just reading off a sheet

[@Petch1]

haha this was great. From the old bodybuliders i remember from the 90s and the 90s production plus Arnie's commentary. Laughed my ass off when one the bodybuilders was flexing to 'The Macarena' and Arnie says "Shall we get up" lol

[@upstateNYfinest]

Vince taylor is such an under-rated bodybuilder

[@howy3333]

I think this is the bb contest of all time!! The list of competitors is insane!!

[@wildmike951]

Just one year later and Ronnie coleman started his total domination of the sport. They didn't even see him coming.....

[@somekindaguy100]

I know it's easy to say now but for a few years before he dominated and was placing low I always thought what do I see or even what are the judges seeing that I am not cause I always thought he should of placed better

[@rauldavidsanchezlazaro5700]

This was the best arnold classic of all times.

[@TaiPassionGP]

18:43 " he knows how to control his abdominals " Arnold was already aware of todays bubble gut problem

[@rcplayer7581]

@my name is DRAKE o snsp thats right

[@johnn7419]

Arnold's commentary is hilarious

[@Levente20]

"hey monster" lol

[@Crismuscle]

This is probably the best year in bodybuilding and the best Arnold Classic lineup ever. Such insane freaks that looked aesthetically incredible.

[@ronniemorales5485]

Great upload!

[@polymathg]

Lee Priest , 5'4" 217 lbs. Franco Columbu 5'4" 185 lbs. According to Arnold, Franco was big enough to win the Olympia. Lee wasn't. Sounds legit man. Sounds legit.

[@marionnette6231]

Dale Wilson Arnold was just biased and jealous of lee

[@benjaminli3808]

Yeah but people like Ronnie, Nasser, Dorian, etc. didn't exist yet. Lee Priest just gets dwarfed even though he has so much muscle on his frame. Just the relative perspective on Lee's physique is from a more muscular standpoint. It's a shame because if he was even just 5 ft 8+ with the same proportions he would've been crazy.

[@prettyboychilds]

@@benjaminli3808 exactly franco in 1976 beat frank zane for the title who also was 185lbs and in 1981 he beat chris dickerson for the title who was 190lbs! he was beating guys his own weight! lee was up against guys that was alot taller and that was 240-290lbs threw out his career massive difference!

[@torque122]

Arnold is full of shit. He’s ruined the sport he helped create with all these weight classes & too many competitions. Everyone is a pro now. A pro card means nothing anymore.

[@F_antomas]

No, lee is overrated . No striations . The chest muscle is weak . his arms are bigger than his chest . absolutely no separation on the back . there's no symmetry or balance between muscle groups . He's a freak . thats all ...

[@puficor]

Arnold just discovered the word "tremendous" and overdosed it XD

[@Kjertinge]

"Sponsored by Hummer" Crazy to see how changed the world is now hahaha

[@docadams2012]

What a hardcore competitive lineup??? wow .

[@markgreene1162]

Wow I remember these days when bodybuilding use to be on ESPN. Of course when ESPN use to be free of politics. I don't watch ESPN anymore it's nothing be garage now.

[@ryanleal8429]

PATRICK MAHOMES MVP 2020-2030 bitch boy as long as he says nothing about Mahomes right?

[@markgreene1162]

@PATRICK MAHOMES MVP 2020-2030 bitch boy LOL

[@chriswylie253]

Prefer Ronnie Coleman like this before he started rocking the g string look onstage to show ripped glutes...you can show condition with full posing trunks.

[@chriswylie253]

steroidsR4losers You are very predictable...angry middle aged failure in life that just feels so inadequate and angry that you failed in life that you have focused on these enhanced men....feeling that they "cheated" in life...you played by the rules and ended up the lonely, miserable failure you are...I understand but you can still turn your life around...get off internet for a while...when the loneliness and anger kick in like it has for you today...use that..go to the gym and take it out on the weights...not trolling internet..and doing it natural is great.. Maybe try to meet a good woman too...things won't look so bleak and this anger will fade away

[@ben2560]

Chris Wylie Also he tried hard with roids, but couldnt train or more improtantly diet properly, so he wouldn't grow from them, used heavy dosages to compensate still nothing, but horrible side effects (also brain damage, as we can see lol)

[@rayevo7468]

Chri Wylie dude what are you talking about he DID wear full posing trunks at all his events, and he DID show condition... it's just that... he was SO conditioned EVERYWHERE that he wanted to ensure that everyone KNEW about it. So he didn't just "start rocking the g-string look onstage" he actually lifted up the edges of his trinks to reveal the INSANE striations in his glutes. Dude... no homo this is bodybuilding. We look at the muscles that get worked in the gym and judge them. Are glutes a muscle that is trained? Yes... so we prefer to judge it and use the striations in the glutes as a barmoter for overall condition than not.

[@rayd3657]

Classic physique is a bunch of BS And so is swim suit Those guys shouldn't be ifbb pros,that should only be a npc thing The standards for what a pro is are greatly different today,if you have no legs,no back,you shouldn't be in Ifbb Who cares how great the 6 pack is That's why the 2018 Olympia sucked,and lame Shawn Rhoden winning,horrible arms,and back,Heath was in better condition better legs,arms,back,

[@johnvasudeva7005]

Flex the king of symmetry, but Nasser was definitely right there with him due to his sheer size. Wish Nasser won one before he passed, definitely had a solid build 🙏🏼

[@Mike-qo4kp]

He did, he won the asc in 98

[@Mag.Béldi]

He won the Arnold Classic in 1999, not in 1998.

[@sang8720]

The crowd sure was much more energetic back then compare to the crowd now.

[@dalewilson5613]

Sang true

[@topg9028]

well no phones so everyones focus is on the show makes it alot more exciting

[@a6g2b01c]

right? and the demographic was rich too

[@gouravpatil3204]

Great lineup 👏

[@Fallen_Angel81]

The friendship between Arnold and Franco is absolutely precious

[@johnsambo9379]

Gay lovers.

[@ericwilliams398]

Holy shit....Dillett’s arms......unreal size. Almost a quarter century ago, people

[@edgargonzalez-wx5no]

This version of nasser vs big rami. Would be interesting. Personally i think nasser is better balanced and conditioned.

[@spacecase7566]

Nasser’s back is lacking but yes, you’re right. Ramy’s not as balanced as Nasser.

[@timjones7336]

edgar gonzalez nah. Ramy is better balanced & has far superior overall development than Nasser. Nasser has the (Synthol filled) Shoulders, chest, quads and (Synthol filled) arms, but Ramy has everything, except calves. When Ramy is sharp, he destroys Nasser, as once they turn around, Nasser falls apart.

[@Rock-gi9fn]

Without a doubt

[@codyengland8497]

31:38 That 3/4 Back Pose is still my 1 favorite pose done by any bodybuilder ever!!! wasnt the best 1 Levrone normally does but Levrone in that pose FAVORITE EVER!!!!

[@keem31]

Any guy on this stage would have taken the 2019 Olympia with ease

[@TheMjfan2000]

no

[@MonteMolencamp]

I 100% agree! And I mean anyone in the top 10

[@Karemaker]

uhhh NO.

[@rcplayer7581]

Can tell its different, they have more size now less perfection

[@jackjuljay]

this is what the arnold should still be like the show and everything

[@archilonshadowheart7]

what happened to the arnold 96 you skipped it?

[@NR-pn6mn]

archilonshadowheart7 It’s the year Andreas Munzer competed and died literally a few days later after the ‘96 Arnold Classic. Unfortunately it caused a lot of controversy and most likely negative press. Hence why they haven’t posted it.

[@kaleandoscope]

If only Dillet could have a better posing routine/mandatories...He would have gone many more places. Flex Wheeler though... His routine is inspiring.

[@philiphaigh5434]

Anron Baker Looks Fantastic 💪🇬🇧💪

[@MrSone73]

Laka ti zemlja Nassere bio si najveci ikada!

[@howy3333]

Arnold hates Lee priest for some reason at every arnold classic...

[@werkannderwird]

what a line-up. compare it to now. i woulf prefer any of this guys to the current fellers!

[@MarkMetternichPhotographyLLC]

In the entire Olympia maybe one person this year, 2019, came in as ripped and tight skinned as they did back then. It is pathetic today.

[@dodododes]

I think Levrone said he used insuline for this competition thats why he was no in shape... dont know why he did that what problem he had...

[@jamesschneider2041]

dodo dodes yeah bout worst I've ever seen him

[@tazz5406]

Yeah... He isn't meant to be 260Plus... He looked soft as hell

[@AllDayNeguin]

Keep posting pls

[@murilobrito9397]

Acha que esse ano foi o último ano que o Flex manteve sua linha, e ele mereceu ganhar

[@franky01ize]

Arnold shits on Lee every year lol wtf

[@matthewshove8678]

nate I noticed that too, he never had much good to say about Lee

[@JohnnyFranco999]

Maybe he noticed that Lee was already a "difficult" person and badmouthed him for that. Personally I've always liked lee's personality and physique. He looks amazing in this competition. He should have placed higher at his Olympias.

[@mikeduke370]

I agree with you, he seemed to not really give him much credit

[@franky01ize]

TheLusianPopa ya but Arnold was saying how great Franco was, and Franco was even more of a midget and had weak legs, weak arms, and horrible gyno. My point is that Arnold seems a bit personal with his critiques of lee.

[@barneyrubble8899]

Why does Schwarzenegger try and piss on Lee Priest all the time?

[@dariusborsepinte14]

Bravo arnold

[@marcos.1481]

"Franco, why you dont stand up"! So funny!!! I know - they are good friends.

[@pianoking8878]

11:13 Ronnie Coleman 26:04 Flex Wheeler 30:15 Kevin Levrone

[@leandronicolasabaurrea4175]

7:51 can someone explain me what Arnold says abaut the breathing AND the Energy when lee priest poses??

[@leandronicolasabaurrea4175]

@Nuby29 thanks. I supposed that but not sure if i have understood.

[@Karemaker]

Nasser El SOMEBODY! lol, that's always how I heard it.

[@goldenera4ever]

Back just before bodybuilders lost all control of their gut. Ronnie looked so much better before he got so damn big. Yes, there is such a thing as too big. Lee Priest looked awesome. Too bad he was only 5'4". His victory pose was good, but we all know NOBODY will ever do it like Sergio. Overall, though, the bodies looked much better than they have for the last 15 years.

[@goldenera4ever]

TheLusianPopa I think the only people who have the power to change the big gut syndrome are the judges. I'm not sure why they keep allowing it but until they start demanding smaller waists it'll probably continue this way. And yeah, like I said in my original comment nobody will ever pull off that pose like Sergio Oliva. Anyone who does it now should make sure it's known as a tribute to Sergio.

[@denwilson7278]

@TheLusianPopa Ronnie never came in with so so condition. He was always shredded and Dorian did come in with a off condition it was the 1997 he was holding water in his back hams and glutes and a blurry midsection so I suggest you go watch it and you will see matey

[@marcinchmielewski5637]

Flex wheeler in de favorite bodybuilding arnold classic champion 1997 king 💪💪💪💪💪💪👑👑👑👑👑👑👑

[@MegatronRacing237]

Keep posting :)

[@yhideit4427]

Arnold talks Madd Shit about Lee Priest....look at his stomach going in and out when he breaths. ....LOL. !

[@killface69]

Every year he went hard on Lee. I think the whole industry for what ever reason always disliked Lee on a personal level.

[@alhassanait1749]

He was just breathing with his belly. Its a yoga technique !

[@vikramra7]

i think its movement guys , any body part should stop moving when that person hits that pose. check out lee haney, breathing hard, sweating, working hard to flex it and all that. but when he hit the pose, the camera shot what it is called, about 4-5 seconds of stability, statute like pause, lifelessness kind of shot (only those 4-5 seconds) and they have to go into next pose in a smooth motion, should not be planned or anything, just go about doing your strongest poses first, that be the time when them judges have their heads up and after the minute, the bend down to write the score, quickly do off your weaker muscles groups so technically, u achieved all the mandatory 6-8 poses and a couple of stylish one, crucifix was haney's favorite including Sergio olivia and lee priest here.

[@lindseyormsbee]

Bro, Arnold had some issues with Priest 😂😂

[@rcplayer7581]

You think , Lee was not liked in the industry probably bc he didn't play. The politics and he was short generation Franco won comp was not as good

[@ginoferrara3778]

Ive never seen Paul next to Ron before epic

[@usposse]

LOL Arnold is killing me right now criticizing the athletes conditioning and their posing this video and his commentary is priceless LMAO I think Arnold definitely has his favorites though

[@ouarghinordine9014]

Look at the eyes of a winner. a champ, a king. RONNIE COLEMAN.

[@keem31]

Look at this fucking line up, incredible

[@upstateNYfinest]

Dillet really couldnt pose to save his life

[@NukemNash]

It's so sad that flex was the first and only to do the splits and having lost his legs is so detrimental. I can only imagine how traumatic it was for him.

[@aidanhulme6648]

What song is playing while Lee is posing

[@JohanChristensen_]

If Arnie would have to comment on Philsulin it would be gettin quite bubbly....

[@DorianColeman]

ha ha true :)

[@chrisballard5743]

I always thought the Arnold Classic for such a high prestige competition,had terrible lighting. Compare that to the Ironman show that always had terrific lighting.

[@ross7499]

Camera man should be fired...you have multiple people posing and you zoom in on 1 or 2...

[@DuckFrank]

hi people what's the name of the song Ronnie Coleman poses 12:39 thanks a lot l

[@spurgoodmarshall5042]

Last night by AZ Yet

[@Sprintertalk]

Lee looks unreal

[@maxwell5397]

Aaron backer was something else

[@SkyNet2.0MusicVideos]

36:12 Flex is NOT HAPPY about that!!

[@sheridansaul1590]

Flex sure is super calm with all that juice going through his veins.

[@denwilson7278]

Just because he's on juice doesn't mean he as to be a crazy guy. You obviously don't have a brain

[@MarkMetternichPhotographyLLC]

Of course they all juice.

[@Hollweg-f3g]

Those were the days of trues bb competitors, not as today where we have to see the horribly monsters shapes of this new era.

[@dalewilson5613]

Only 1 guy out of the top 6 was never a Arnold Schwarzenegger classic champion! (Paul dillett..). Vince Taylor 92, flex 93,97,98 mike francois 95, Nasser 99, ronnie coleman 2001

[@ross7499]

Politics

[@WhyAreTheyOverHere]

The spooky music with for the murder of professional bodybuilding was beginning to play in the background even then. Poor muscle control, site injections, the beginning of the gut- gate.

[@joselumartin1279]

LOVE U MAN!

[@youbename25]

Look how nobody notice ronnie. Now hes the goat.king

[@diegolarreola]

Does anyone know the name of the song Nasser posed to?

[@timjones7336]

Diego Arreola Synthol Song

[@Redemption203]

The gut issue goes way back to the 90's Gh and Slin become common for use when Dorian came out

[@djpickleballplayer]

I agree with Flex winning the show, but how did he take the Most Muscular?

[@jgamez5023]

Where the heck was Shawn Ray?

[@johngoti4674]

Flex shredded to the bone.. Unbelievable

[@OrbvsTomarvm]

aww rip franco and arnold

[@vortex101gad9]

1996 missing we want it why you skipped it

[@NR-pn6mn]

vortex101 gad It’s the year Andreas Munzer competed and died literally a few days later after the ‘96 Arnold Classic. Unfortunately it caused a lot of controversy and most likely negative press. Hence why they haven’t posted it.

[@TheHamedfay]

That year was Not really one of the best Arnold classic, Kevin looked very bad her retaining lot of water no wonder he placed low, If I remember correctly he once talked about it and how the use of Insulin ruin his physique in this competition , Ronnie deserved to be second and both Flex and Nasser looked better in 1996 and 1998 and 1999. Overall conditioning was not spot on on most of them as the six packs were in many cases barely visible.

[@mahinderbisht3246]

Flex wheeler champion banai very good disigen

[@GabrielOlympic]

Nasser was better at this show than at Olympia, he looks stony, Nasser from the front is impressive pity that his weak point was always his back so he was in 2nd place for Flex this year ...

[@johnbaydo757]

this video amazing Arnold is an announcer lee priest first one up Ronnie colman is competing

[@minonajjar9593]

Flex reaction to nasser so funny 😂

[@giovannyc3886]

Flex was perfectly set up here to go on and win the 97 Olympia... Why oh why Flex

[@michaeljuritsch1524]

They could have remembered Andreas Münzer

[@Mazzlepazzle]

Great!

[@jerryjames9502]

SMALL CASE OF GYNO RON,,,NOT AS BAD AS THE FOLLOWING YEAR OLYMPIA WHICH HE WINS...NO BB SHOULD WIN WITH GYNO

[@Connor_172]

Michael Francois had amazing potential

[@lagi369]

You forgot 1996

[@NR-pn6mn]

Koit It’s the year Andreas Munzer competed and died literally a few days later after the ‘96 Arnold Classic. Unfortunately it caused a lot of controversy and most likely negative press. Hence why they haven’t posted it.

[@antonyiudici954]

download Arnold classic 1998 full show

[@necatiyavuklu9557]

Andreas Münzer hatte 1996 sein Leben verloren, schade aber hätte er sich mehr erhohlung gegönnt würde sowas nicht passieren.

[@DahakaMatthew]

Flex looks like a massively jacked Dave Chappelle

[@stevenserial4080]

Ronnie looked the best he's ever looked. He should never had tried to get bigger. He gained a lot more muscle along with a massive mid section

[@MarkMetternichPhotographyLLC]

No way. He gained and won and won, and won and looked incredible!