Uganda powerlifter Roy Mubiru won another gold medal from this year’s Arnold Classic Sports Festival held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Ohio Expo Center last week.

The 45-year-old was the last man standing, having deadlifted 301 kg. in the heavyweight category in the annual event that has expanded from a single bodybuilding show to include seven different divisions.

He first lifted 250kgs before making 272kgs, and before winning the last man standing deadlift salute with 301kgs.

In powerlifting alone, there were 290 athletes in  different weights and 34 in the heavyweight category, where Mubiru emerged victorious.

 “I did it again with another gold in the same championship and category meaning I have now won Uganda two golds from the Arnold championships. This makes it six world medals for me and I’m still the best powerlifter on that front,” Mubiru said.

Roy Mubiru (center) poses with his gold alongside some of the participants in the Arnold Classic Sports Festival held at the Greater Columbus Convention Center and Ohio Expo Center, March 2, 2024. courtesy photo

“Africa now has four medals from this championship, with two from Uganda and one each, from Kenya and Tanzania. I encourage all the upcoming youngsters to join the sport to have more champions from the sport,” Mubiru stated.

He said he has now been invited to the World Strength Games in Utah in April, where he will compete against athletes from 50 countries.  The event involves several competitions, including log-press, car-pulling, tire-flipping, strong-carry, truck-pulling, and car-over-shoulder-pulling, among others.

The Arnold Classic Sports Festival is an uber-expo for fitness fanatics all over the world that includes powerlifting, weightlifting, bodybuilding, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, an expo featuring hundreds of vendors, and the iconic Arnold Strongman and Strongwoman Classic competitions.