Arnold Schwarzenegger announced he’s not going to press charges against the man who drop kicked him over the weekend.
“Update: A lot of you have asked, but I’m not pressing charges,” the 71-year-old wrote on Twitter. “I hope this was a wake-up call, and he gets his life on the right track. But I’m moving on and I’d rather focus on the thousands of great athletes I met at @ArnoldSports Africa.”
Update: A lot of you have asked, but I’m not pressing charges. I hope this was a wake-up call, and he gets his life on the right track. But I’m moving on and I’d rather focus on the thousands of great athletes I met at @ArnoldSports Africa.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) May 19, 2019
Over the weekend, a video went viral after capturing a man running at Schwarzenegger from behind and drop kicking him at an Arnold Classic Africa event in South Africa.
The former Republican Governor of California wasn’t hurt by the incident. In fact, he barely moved while the assailant appeared to bounce off him. He later said he hadn’t even realized someone had tried to do a flying kick at him until he saw the video online.
He wrote about the incident on Twitter shortly after. “Thanks for your concerns, but there is nothing to worry about. I thought I was just jostled by the crowd, which happens a lot. I only realized I was kicked when I saw the video like all of you. I’m just glad the idiot didn’t interrupt my Snapchat.”
Thanks for your concerns, but there is nothing to worry about. I thought I was just jostled by the crowd, which happens a lot. I only realized I was kicked when I saw the video like all of you. I’m just glad the idiot didn’t interrupt my Snapchat.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) May 18, 2019
The Arnold Classic Africa is part of Schwarzenegger’s Arnold Sport Festival, which hosts a plethora of sports competitions on six continents each year, including “bodybuilding and related contests, amateur bodybuilding, strength and combat sports, a large health and fitness expo and youth events,” according to the official website.
Following the incident, the “Terminator” star asked his fans to focus on the “hero” athletes at the Arnold Classic Africa instead of the attacker.
“Do me a favor,” he wrote on Twitter, captioning a video of a young athlete in a wheelchair doing archery. “Instead of sharing the video of the guy who wants to be famous, watch some of our @ArnoldSports athletes like this young hero proving that fitness is for everyone who deserve to be famous. They’re on my Snapchat.”
Do me a favor: instead of sharing the video of the guy who wants to be famous, watch some of our @ArnoldSports athletes like this young hero proving that fitness is for everyone who deserve to be famous. They’re on my Snapchat. pic.twitter.com/EuMynJ7t1n
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) May 18, 2019
“We have 90 sports here in South Africa at the @ArnoldSports, and 24,000 athletes of all ages and abilities inspiring all of us to get off the couch. Let’s put this spotlight on them,” he added.
We have 90 sports here in South Africa at the @ArnoldSports, and 24,000 athletes of all ages and abilities inspiring all of us to get off the couch. Let’s put this spotlight on them.
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) May 18, 2019
He also asked his fans, “And if you have to share the video (I get it), pick a blurry one without whatever he was yelling so he doesn’t get the spotlight.”
And if you have to share the video (I get it), pick a blurry one without whatever he was yelling so he doesn’t get the spotlight.
By the way… block or charge? pic.twitter.com/TEmFRCZPEA
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) May 18, 2019
Despite the incident, Schwarzenegger seemed unperturbed and just excited to see more great athletes.
“Looking forward to visiting a lot more great athletes today at @arnoldsports Africa. Starting with karate, naturally. They’re all going to be on my Snapchat,” he wrote.
Looking forward to visiting a lot more great athletes today at @arnoldsports Africa. Starting with karate, naturally. They’re all going to be on my Snapchat. pic.twitter.com/nRV4VUudg6
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) May 19, 2019
