Arnold Schwarzenegger has walked away unscathed after taking a surprise kick to the back during an event with youth athletes in South Africa, with the 71-year-old saying he has no plans to press charges against his assailant.
Video of the event in Johannesburg shows the former California governor filming a group of young people when a man approaches and delivers a flying kick to his back. He appears startled, and as he turns, security guards tackle the man to the ground.
“Thanks for your concerns, but there is nothing to worry about,” Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote after the fact. “I thought I was just jostled by the crowd, which happens a lot. I only realised I was kicked when I saw the video like all of you. I’m just glad the idiot didn’t interrupt my Snapchat.”
He went on to ask media outlets to do him a favour, and instead of sharing a video of “the guy who wants to be famous”, to instead share videos of young athletes participating in his Arnold Sports programs, “proving that fitness is for everyone.”
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
He later released another video, saying he’s happy for people to share this one as it’s blurry, and the words the man was yelling cannot be heard in it:
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
An official statement described the attacker as a “crazed fan” and said that Schwarzenegger himself is “fine and in good spirits” after the incident, adding that he is taking it “in his stride” and has carried on with official activities as planned.
Official Statement regarding the unfortunate @Schwarzenegger incident earlier at #ACAfrica2019 #ArnoldSchwarzenegger pic.twitter.com/AMae76ov7w
— Arnold Sport Festival Africa (@ArnoldClassicAF) May 18, 2019
