Schwarzenegger ‘fine’ after kick
An assailant strikes the former governor in the back at South Africa event.
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — Arnold Schwarzenegger was assaulted Saturday during an appearance in South Africa, but the 71-year-old appeared to quickly recover, saying, “I’m just glad the idiot didn’t interrupt my Snapchat.”
Video shows the actor and 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 assailant is quickly grabbed by security. Off camera, a man shouts several times, “Help me!”
The video shows Schwarzenegger smiling and shaking hands with bystanders shortly afterward but then walking out ringed by security.
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.”
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 that 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 pressing charges and would continue with another appearance Sunday as planned, the statement said.