Schwarzenegger sports festival kicks off in Hong Kong

A sports festival run by Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger made its Asia debut on Saturday, with competitors in Hong Kong showing off their abilities in everything from bodybuilding to chess.

The twoday Arnold Classic Asia MultiSport Festival at Hong Kong’s AsiaWorldExpo center kicked off at 10am local time (2am GMT), with the Austrianborn actor and former governor of California opening the event with a speech in which he espoused the benefits of exercise, an epa journalist reports.

The famed action hero and bodybuilder cofounded the festival 40 years ago but this year marks the first time that it has been held in Asia.

“You can’t promote physical education, health and bodybuilding not including Asia,” Schwarzenegger said at a press conference on Friday.

Hundreds of competitors and spectators joined the festival today, which included jump rope, strongman, cycling and arm wrestling contests.

Proving that it isn’t just about celebrating physical abilities, the event also saw chess and rubik’s cube enthusiasts showing off their skills.

Aside from competitions, health and fitness workshops and a seminar by the star are also on offer.

Schwarzenegger said that for him the event is all about encouraging people to “get off the couch and do something, and to do something as a family.”