Roy Apseloff Virginia Strength and Power Hall of Fame inductee 2018

By Strength and Power Hall of Fame

Roy Apseloff was born in Cincinnati and raised in Kent, Ohio.  He began his athletic career as a sprinter on junior and senior high school track teams, serving as captain of both teams.  Upon moving to Kent Roosevelt High School at the start of his sophomore year, Roy began lifting weights on the old Universal machine, doubling his strength in his sophomore year.  Upon arrival at Cornell University, Roy became one of the founding members of the Cornell University Weightlifting Club.  He continued to powerlift throughout college and his years of commissioned service in the United States Navy.  He subsequently left active duty for civilian service with the Defense Intelligence Agency while remaining in the Navy Reserve, accumulating 23 years of active and reserve Navy service and 33 years of civilian service to the U.S. Government.  He powerlifted throughout his busy military and civilian careers, but his work and travel schedule, mainly to the Mideast, precluded a competitive powerlifting career.  He retired as a member of the Senior Executive Service in 2013. He dedicated himself to Master’s powerlifting and coaching his son Nick, who established eight world records in the bench press from ages 14-20 in weight classes 165-198, all raw and drug-free.  Nick won three AAU Junior Olympic gold medals in the bench press.  Nick’s best lift was an IPA junior world record bench press of 422.5 lbs at 198 at age 20.  He then did a touch-and-go in the gym at 440 lbs.  

Roy’s powerlifting career began as a Master lifter after his retirement.  In 2014, at the 100% Raw Powerlifting World Championships, he deadlifted 500.25 lbs for the world championship and world record in the 198 lb 55-59 age class.  He went on to win another 100% Raw Powerlifting world championship in 2015 with a 541.2 lb deadlift.  In 2016, at the 100% Raw World Championship meet, he raised the world record to 575.4 lbs.  In August 2017, he raised the 100% Raw deadlift world record to 580.9 lbs, all at 198 and 55-59 age group.  He won his fourth consecutive 100% Raw Powerlifting world championship in October 2017 with a 573.2 lb lift at age 60 for another 198 lb class world record.

At age 60 in November 2017, lifting in the IPA at York Barbell in York, PA, Roy deadlifted 585 lbs at 198 for the world record in that federation.  In March 2018, lifting in the 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation, Roy deadlifted 600.75 lbs at 198 lbs for a triple bodyweight deadlift at 60 and another world record.  In May 2018, again at 198 and 60 years old, he squatted 402 lbs, bench pressed 243 lbs, and deadlifted 562.1 lbs for a 1207 lb total; the deadlift and total were 100% Raw Powerlifting Federation full power world records.  Roy continued to win 100% Raw Powerlifting world championships from 2019 through 2023, with a 584 lb deadlift recorded at age 64.  He was inducted into the 100% Raw Powerlifting Hall of Fame in 2023.

In his master’s powerlifting career, Roy has set 55 world records in 100% Raw Powerlifting, USPA, IPA, and 365 Strong Powerlifting federations, as well as a national record in the deadlift in USAPL.  Roy credits this progress to the help he received from his two coaches, Pete Miller and Shane Sweatt, and his loving wife, Melanie, an elite CrossFit athlete.  Melanie is an expert on nutrition and CrossFit movements and has provided much-needed advice to Roy.  Shane is a Westside Conjugate disciple; Roy primarily trains Westside Conjugate now.  He continues to compete at age 66.

Author: by Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Sun May 17 21:32:15 UTC 2020 | Last Updated: Wed Aug 07 10:02:57 UTC 2024