Man assaults Arnold Schwarzenegger with flying kick during event in South Africa
Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP / APRIL 4
Arnold Schwarzenegger, a cast member in the upcoming film “Terminator: Dark Fate,” discusses the film during the Paramount Pictures presentation at CinemaCon 2019, the official convention of the National Association of Theatre Owners (NATO) at Caesars Palace, in Las Vegas. New video on Saturday, shows actor Arnold Schwarzenegger being assaulted during a public appearance in South Africa. It shows the 71-year-old standing and filming children at a sporting event in Johannesburg when a man makes a flying kick into his back.
JOHANNESBURG >> Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger was assaulted during a public appearance in South Africa today, but the 71-year-old appeared to quickly recover and say “I’m just glad the idiot didn’t interrupt my Snapchat.”
Video shows the former California governor standing and filming children at a sporting event in Johannesburg when a man makes a flying kick into his back. Schwarzenegger stumbles forward. The man is quickly grabbed by security. Off camera a man shouts several times “Help me!”
Man assaults @Schwarzenegger with flying kick during event in South Africa https://t.co/ueWEj1WCw7 #worldnews pic.twitter.com/x7sBdq0X9R
— Star-Advertiser (@StarAdvertiser) May 18, 2019
The video shortly afterward shows Schwarzenegger smiling and shaking hands with bystanders but then walking out ringed by security.
Make sure to tune into my @Snapchat to see all 90 sports we have here at the @ArnoldSports Africa! Fitness is for everyone. pic.twitter.com/bNjSTQS9Aj
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) May 18, 2019
Schwarzenegger later posted on Twitter: “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
He had been attending his Arnold Classic Africa event, which features dozens of sports and fitness activities. In a separate Twitter post, the event blamed a “crazed fan” for the assault.
The statement cited organizer Wayne Price as saying the assailant was “known to the police for orchestrating similar incidents in the past” and that Schwarzenegger was “fine and still in good spirits.”
The actor confirmed he had no intention of laying charges and would continue with another appearance on Sunday as planned, the statement said.
