IWGA Athlete of the Month: Ray Williams, USA
Congratulations to Ray Williams, IWGA Athlete of the Month for June 2016. The 29-year-old athlete from the USA has won his third consecutive IPF Classic World Powerlifting Championship. At the event in Killeen/Texas (USA) last month Ray Williams also set a new squat world record at 438 kg and a new total world record at 1,043 kg.
Ray Williams lives in Demopolis, Alabama, and started competing in 2012. Performing in the Super Heavyweight weight class, he made waves in the International Powerlifting Federation when he became the first man to squat 410 kg. Ray Williams is a class act on the platform when he competes, and a man of character off the platform as an ambassador for his sport.
“The International Powerlifting Federation is proud to have such an athlete representing its message and vision to the world of sport,” stated IPF President Gaston Parage about the World Champion and IWGA Athlete of the Month. He added: “As we look to the future, it is evident that anything is possible for Ray Williams. We will undoubtedly see more phenomenal lifts and world-record-breaking performances by this once-in-a-generation athlete.”
Ray Williams posted on Facebook right after his achievements at the World Championships in Texas: “1 word....blessed!!!!” The Fox Sports channel said about him: “This huge man squatted 966 pounds like it was nothing.” And added: “Ray Williams is a very strong man.” No way, to deny this.
Powerlifting will be one of 27 sports on the official programme at The World Games 2017 (20 - 30 July) in Wroclaw/Poland.
Find out more about Powerlifting on The World Games Channel.
