Post by Mike White on Aug 28, 2006 8:02:20 GMT -5
As many of you know, there is a Powerlifting Federation devoted to the Raw and drug-free lifter. It is called 100% RAW Powerlifting Federation and its President is Mr. Paul Bossi. The following is an interview recently conducted by Barry Williams with Mr. Bossi.
Barry Williams:
1) What drew you in to the sport?
Paul Bossi:
After college football I needed something to motivate me to continue to workout and stay in shape.
BW:
2) What makes 100% RAW different from other feds?
PB:
What makes 100% RAW different is that we are completely RAW and drug test our athletes. We do not allow any equipment that will allow a lifter to lift more weight. We are what you could say old fashion lifters. Either you lift it or not and our motto is "100% RAW where lifters compete, not technology".
BW:
3) What's the biggest problem you see in powerlifting today and what can be done to help the problem?
PB:
Well there are too many Federations and so many meets being held that meets are small in numbers and there is no competition for the lifters. It would be best if we could consolidate the federations down to 3-4 different federations and if someone wants to run a meet, run it for one of those federations that you feel comfortable with their rules and ethics and work toward a unified World Championship.
BW:
4) What can we do to make the sport more mainstream ( ESPN, news coverage,etc)?
PB:
To mainstream the sport we will need to have more elite competitions with smaller numbers. Nobody is going to watch 6-8 hours of powerlifting on TV on a Saturday. We need to have it like the strongman competitions where there are 5-7 elite lifters and show 1 event each day and hold it in a 30 minute segment. This will capture the viewers attention and we will begin to have a following where people tune in to watch their favorite lifter. This might mean that the USA lifters compete against lifters from around the world like the strongman competitions currently do.
BW:
5) Who do you admire the most in the sport?
PB:
I like that it gives everyone a fair chance and outlet to compete and be part of something special. I enjoy seeing the master lifters young teens and women compete. I know powerlifting is what keeps many adults lifting, which in the end you have a stronger, healthier human being and people will live longer as long as they stay away from the Steroids and other bad drugs.
BW:
6) Do you think drug testing curbs most lifters or do they look for ways around it?
PB:
I think in the past lifters looked for ways around it. But now with so many federations and with 100% RAW, lifters know they have options if they choose to use drugs. I will be honest with you, at 100% RAW everyone knows we test and more drug users stay away from competing in our meets because they do not want to get caught and be embarrassed. There are plenty of federations that make it known that there is no testing so it gives the lifters on drugs an avenue. Also today there are so many non-sanctioned meets that this gives drug users a place to compete also.
BW:
7) You've set some records yourself, what is YOUR biggest lift to date?
PB:
My Best Lift to date is 585lb bench but unfortunately this was done in the gym the week before my meet and I did not get it in the meet. It was 3 years ago in a $36 blast shirt. I would like to put on a denim shirt one day and go for that 600 or 700lb bench to say I did it. But deep down inside I know that I did not do it that it was the assistance of the shirt that made it possible. My Biggest RAW Lift to date is 515lbs @ the 2005 100% RAW World Bench Press Championships. I had much more in me but it was my last lift so I had to stop. I am looking for 530lbs or better at this years Worlds in November.
BW:
8) Just how strong is Will Lynch? (He's beat me at more than one meet)
PB:
Will Lynch is about as good as they come. A natural freak is what he is referred to in the lifting community. Will has the strength, body and personality that every man dreams of and has to work so hard to get. I am sure Will works very hard to keep in shape and he is such a gentleman also. I have drug tested him several times and he has been clean each time. The first time I meet him was in 2001 when I was holding a bench meet during the day and the NASF State Bodybuilding championships at night. He won 1st place in the bench with 485lbs in the 181 class and decided to try the bodybuilding show also and won 1st place there also. He did not even train for the bodybuilding show now you tell me if he is a freak.
BW:
9) Do you plan on doing any equiped meets just to change things up some?
PB:
Yes, I am planning to lift in the 2006 USAPL Nationals in Charlotte, NC. I want to become a member of Team USA and represent our country in the IFP Master World Bench Press Championships.
BW:
10) If you had to be remembered by one statement, what would it be?
PB:
A statement to be remembered by would be "RAW means True Power".
BW:
Paul, thanks for taking the time out and answer my questions, please feel free to throw some names out and thank anybody that needs thanking.
PB:
Barry, thank you for the interview and I look forward to seeing it in print. Please let me know where and when it will be printed or posted.
100% RAW, Where lifters compete, not technology.
100% RAW Powerlifting Federation
139 Marla's Way
Camden, NC 27921
Paul Bossi - President
252-339-5025
rawlifting@aol.com
www.rawpowerlifting.com
Barry Williams:
1) What drew you in to the sport?
Paul Bossi:
After college football I needed something to motivate me to continue to workout and stay in shape.
BW:
2) What makes 100% RAW different from other feds?
PB:
What makes 100% RAW different is that we are completely RAW and drug test our athletes. We do not allow any equipment that will allow a lifter to lift more weight. We are what you could say old fashion lifters. Either you lift it or not and our motto is "100% RAW where lifters compete, not technology".
BW:
3) What's the biggest problem you see in powerlifting today and what can be done to help the problem?
PB:
Well there are too many Federations and so many meets being held that meets are small in numbers and there is no competition for the lifters. It would be best if we could consolidate the federations down to 3-4 different federations and if someone wants to run a meet, run it for one of those federations that you feel comfortable with their rules and ethics and work toward a unified World Championship.
BW:
4) What can we do to make the sport more mainstream ( ESPN, news coverage,etc)?
PB:
To mainstream the sport we will need to have more elite competitions with smaller numbers. Nobody is going to watch 6-8 hours of powerlifting on TV on a Saturday. We need to have it like the strongman competitions where there are 5-7 elite lifters and show 1 event each day and hold it in a 30 minute segment. This will capture the viewers attention and we will begin to have a following where people tune in to watch their favorite lifter. This might mean that the USA lifters compete against lifters from around the world like the strongman competitions currently do.
BW:
5) Who do you admire the most in the sport?
PB:
I like that it gives everyone a fair chance and outlet to compete and be part of something special. I enjoy seeing the master lifters young teens and women compete. I know powerlifting is what keeps many adults lifting, which in the end you have a stronger, healthier human being and people will live longer as long as they stay away from the Steroids and other bad drugs.
BW:
6) Do you think drug testing curbs most lifters or do they look for ways around it?
PB:
I think in the past lifters looked for ways around it. But now with so many federations and with 100% RAW, lifters know they have options if they choose to use drugs. I will be honest with you, at 100% RAW everyone knows we test and more drug users stay away from competing in our meets because they do not want to get caught and be embarrassed. There are plenty of federations that make it known that there is no testing so it gives the lifters on drugs an avenue. Also today there are so many non-sanctioned meets that this gives drug users a place to compete also.
BW:
7) You've set some records yourself, what is YOUR biggest lift to date?
PB:
My Best Lift to date is 585lb bench but unfortunately this was done in the gym the week before my meet and I did not get it in the meet. It was 3 years ago in a $36 blast shirt. I would like to put on a denim shirt one day and go for that 600 or 700lb bench to say I did it. But deep down inside I know that I did not do it that it was the assistance of the shirt that made it possible. My Biggest RAW Lift to date is 515lbs @ the 2005 100% RAW World Bench Press Championships. I had much more in me but it was my last lift so I had to stop. I am looking for 530lbs or better at this years Worlds in November.
BW:
8) Just how strong is Will Lynch? (He's beat me at more than one meet)
PB:
Will Lynch is about as good as they come. A natural freak is what he is referred to in the lifting community. Will has the strength, body and personality that every man dreams of and has to work so hard to get. I am sure Will works very hard to keep in shape and he is such a gentleman also. I have drug tested him several times and he has been clean each time. The first time I meet him was in 2001 when I was holding a bench meet during the day and the NASF State Bodybuilding championships at night. He won 1st place in the bench with 485lbs in the 181 class and decided to try the bodybuilding show also and won 1st place there also. He did not even train for the bodybuilding show now you tell me if he is a freak.
BW:
9) Do you plan on doing any equiped meets just to change things up some?
PB:
Yes, I am planning to lift in the 2006 USAPL Nationals in Charlotte, NC. I want to become a member of Team USA and represent our country in the IFP Master World Bench Press Championships.
BW:
10) If you had to be remembered by one statement, what would it be?
PB:
A statement to be remembered by would be "RAW means True Power".
BW:
Paul, thanks for taking the time out and answer my questions, please feel free to throw some names out and thank anybody that needs thanking.
PB:
Barry, thank you for the interview and I look forward to seeing it in print. Please let me know where and when it will be printed or posted.
100% RAW, Where lifters compete, not technology.
100% RAW Powerlifting Federation
139 Marla's Way
Camden, NC 27921
Paul Bossi - President
252-339-5025
rawlifting@aol.com
www.rawpowerlifting.com