Inspiring 74-Year-Old Powerlifter and Oneida Nation Member Sets Four World Records at 2017 AAU North American Championships
Oneida Nation Homelands (PRWEB) May 03, 2017 -- Ray Fougnier, an inspiring 74-year-old powerlifter and member of the Oneida Indian Nation recently set four world records at the 2017 AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) North American Powerlifting, Weightlifting, Feats of Strength, Strongman & Mas Wrestling Championships. Based on his age, weight and overall performance, Fougnier was also named Best Lifter among all competing men at the April 7-9 event in Laughlin, Nevada.
Competing in the 181-pound weight class, Fougnier set new world records in the squat (286 lb.), bench press (201 lb.), deadlift (419 lb.), and in the total score for the three categories (906 lb.). The new benchmarks replace the records previously set by Fougnier at the 2016 event.
Fougnier’s sponsor, the Oneida Indian Nation congratulates him on this latest in his incredible string of athletic achievements and will continue to proudly support his mission of inspiring and motivating all Native Americans to lead a healthy lifestyle and embrace exercise regardless of age. Even though Ray didn’t join powerlifting until his 70s, the self-trained phenom has achieved great success in the sport, setting numerous state and world records across multiple weight divisions.
Last year, Ray set three world records at the 2016 AAU World Powerlifting Championship in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he competed in a higher 198-pound weight class.
A retired teacher and former head of the American Indian program at Cornell University, Fougnier grew up on the Oneida Indian Nation’s homelands located in Central New York. He now splits his time living in suburban Detroit, Michigan and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
About the Oneida Indian Nation
The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. A founding member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy), the Oneida Indian Nation sided with the Americans in the Revolutionary War and was thanked by Congress and President George Washington for its loyalty and assistance. Today, the Oneida Nation consists of about 1,000 enrolled Members, most of them living in Central New York. The Nation’s enterprises, which employ more than 4,500 people, include Turning Stone Resort Casino, Yellow Brick Road Casino, the SāvOn chain of gas stations and convenience stores, RV Park, three marinas, Indian Country Today Media Network – the premier national multi-media source for American Indian news and information, and Four Directions Productions – a 3D animation HD cinematography studio. Proceeds from these enterprises are used to rebuild the Nation’s economic base and provide essential services, including housing, health care, and education incentives and programs, to its Members. For more information, visit the Nation’s website http://www.OneidaIndianNation.com.
Pamela Armstrong, Oneida Indian Nation, http://www.OneidaIndianNation.com, +1 (954) 379-2115 Ext: 403, [email protected]
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