The recently concluded Arnold Sports Festival 2024 left the bodybuilding community abuzz with Arnold Schwarzenegger’s shocking announcement: a staggering increase in the prize money for the Men’s Open Division from $300,000 to a whopping $500,000. However, amidst the thunderous applause, controversy has stirred on the internet, shedding light on the discontinuation of certain categories that have been a bone of contention since the 2022 competition.

Sarah Villegas, the three-time Ms. Olympia champion in the women’s physique division has strongly supported retaining the sections that were unexpectedly removed by the officials in 2022. The fallout from these changes has left only three divisions available to women: fitness, wellness, and bikini.

Sarah Villegas urges Arnold Schwarzenegger to restart the WPD

Villegas raised her voice and took to social media, sharing her candid thoughts on this situation. In a post shared by Bis and Tris, the Ms. Olympia appreciates the increase in prize money for the Men’s Open, but wants to highlight that the Arnold Sports Festival still doesn’t include any categories for women’s muscle competitions. She directed her plea directly to Arnold Schwarzenegger, saying, “@schwarzenegger It’s never too late to do the right thing.”

The champion further elaborated, shedding light on the stark reality of the situation, “No Women’s Physique ($0) – No Figure, no Women’s Bodybuilding, and no Men’s 212 ($0).” Her words carry a powerful message, urging Arnold Sports to go beyond monetary gestures. “You don’t earn stripes by just throwing in extra dollars for Men’s Open; you start with inclusion.” 

Villegas recommends that Arnold Sports utilize their platform to champion every IFBB category—an essential aspect. She stressed that achieving greatness extends beyond making tough business decisions, and Schwarzenegger is well aware of this reality. A couple of years ago as well, Villegas fearlessly posted on Instagram and extended an offer to Arnold Sports.

Villegas’s offer to Arnold Sports

On 6th November 2021, through an Instagram post, Villegas expressed disappointment with Arnold Sports for excluding Women’s Physique and Women’s Bodybuilding from the 2022 Arnold Classic roster. Rather than merely expressing frustration, she took a proactive stance by extending a noteworthy offer to the Seven-time Mr. Olympia and the Arnold Sports.

She announced her commitment to personally sponsor all prize money for the Women’s Physique category at the 2022 Arnold Sports Festival, provided they choose to add the category to the roster. Her message was clear: “LET THE GIRLS COMPETE.”

READ MORE: “A Walking Anatomy Chart”: 3x Ms. Olympia Champion, Sarah Villegas’ Ridiculously Shredded Physique Blows Up the Internet

What do you think of her dedication to promoting the Women’s Physique division? Let us know in the comments below.

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