By Brent LaLonde

Professional mixed martial artist and television star Shonie “Mr. International” Carter will present a special seminar at the 2009 Arnold Sports Festival.

Carter’s lecture will feature Thai-style kickboxing, throws, Judo and catch-style wrestling. It will be held March 6 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

 
“I have been to the Arnold Sports Festival many times and am honored to be invited to teach a seminar during this year’s event,” says Carter, of Chicago. “Hopefully this is something we will be able to do every year.”

Carter, 36, is a 10-time world champion in various professional MMA organizations, including the World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC), King of the Cage and World Extreme Fighting. He is well known for a spinning back-fist knockout of former UFC champion Matt “The Terror” Serra in 2001 and his flamboyant style of dress.

Carter has starred in several DVDs about his life and career, and is currently writing his biography and hopes to get it published soon.

Carter also stars in the BET reality show Iron Ring, a show that features upstart mixed martial artists in a format similar to the popular UFC-sponsored show The Ultimate Fighter. Carter is a trainer on Iron Ring after being a contestant on Season 4 of the The Ultimate Fighter.

A former U.S. Marine and father of three, Carter has come a long way since growing up in Maywood, Ill., and on Chicago’s West Side. Carter remembers one day being shot after witnessing a drug deal near his school when he was 7 or 8 years old.

“My grandfather and grandmother were my inspiration while growing up as a young man in Chicago,” Carter says. “And they are one of the reasons that I love teaching and passing the knowledge to the next generation of athletes that might be able to help my children if I can’t one day!”

Carter, who has competed in various martial arts competitions for more than 23 years, has a career record of 67-17-7 in various disciplines, including a mark of 35-16-7 in professional MMA organizations. He is 3-3 in Ultimate Fighting Championships bouts.

For a complete schedule of events at the Arnold Sports Festival, visit www.arnoldsportsfestival.com.