Raymond Jones Virginia Strength and Power HoF inductee 2021

By Strength and Power Hall of Fame

A brief personal history:
Born and raised in Massachusetts, Ray moved to Virginia for work in 1991 where he met and married his wife Shelli. Ray and Shelli have been married 24 years, as of 2021, and have raised two children Zach and Maya. Ray is a strong technologist and operations professional, a former NRA pistol instructor, a hand-to-hand specialist, and an active RAW powerlifter.

What lead you to your sport:
Ray picked up amateur motorcross in high school, as well as track and field. His track and field career continued through college, as did his competitive weightlifting. Upon moving to Virginia, Ray got involved in kickboxing and MMA through the American Bando Association, and competed nationally for over 10 years. Ray officially coached and trained other fighters for another 10 years, and now enjoys training small groups and security teams on hand-to-hand.  

Ray picked up powerlifting when he met John Self in 2016. Ray joined the 100% RAW Powerlifting Federation the following year. In the 5 years since, Ray has set 7 strict curl world records in the 198lb 50-54 year old division and held the 198lb open division world record in early 2021.

Achievements in your sport:
• Multiple medals and trophies for kickboxing and fighting over 22 years with the American Bando Association
• Multiple world record holder in strict curl (see below)

State, National and World records:
• 100% RAW Summer Show of Strength – August 2017
o 1st Place 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl
o 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl world record (151lbs)
o 1st place 50-54yr old, 198lb bench press
• 100% RAW Christmas Classic – December 2017
o 1st Place 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl
o 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl world record (154.3lbs)
o 1st place 50-54yr old, 198lb bench press
• 100% RAW Eastern Open – February 2018
o 1st Place 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl
o 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl world record (157.6lbs)
o 1st place 50-54yr old, 198lb bench press
• 100% RAW American Challenge – June 2018
o 1st Place 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl
o 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl world record (163.1lbs)
o 2nd place 198lb Open strict curl
o 1st place 50-54yr old, 198lb bench press
• 100% RAW Potomac Open – March 2019
o 1st Place 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl
o 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl world record (164.24lbs)
o 1st place 50-54yr old, 198lb bench press
• 100% RAW World Championship – October 2020
o 1st Place 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl
o 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl world record (175.27lbs)
• 100% RAW Masters Nationals – March 2021
o 1st Place 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl
o 50-54yr old, 198lb strict curl world record (186.3lbs)
o 198lb open strict curl world record (186.3lbs)
o 1st place 50-54yr old, 198lb bench press

Other accomplishments:
Ray is a certified Christian Leadership Coach.

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: yes Created: Fri Jun 04 20:48:33 UTC 2021 | Last Updated: Fri Dec 22 02:48:21 UTC 2023