A brief personal history:
Bryan Ruskin was born on July 26th, 1985 in Long Branch, NJ. After moving to Virginia with his family, Bryan attended Herndon High School and graduated in 2003. Bryan then attended both Christopher Newport University and George Mason University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 2007. It was not until the summer before his senior year of high school that Bryan stepped foot into a gym—his initial goal was weight loss and to build muscle, with no aspirations of competing in strength sports. Though after competing in his first bodybuilding show, Bryan realized his true passion was strength and turned his efforts to building power over aesthetics. Although Powerlifting was initially just a hobby while he focused on competitive Armwrestling, Bryan was forced to retire from Armwrestling competition after becoming a USAF National Champion in the 187lb weight class due to suffering his first severed distal bicep tendon and subsequent surgery in 2016, then a second severed distal bicep tendon and surgery in 2017. Following significant recovery and rehabilitation, Bryan returned to strength sports and focused completely on Powerlifting, setting Open World and National Records across multiple weight classes in 100% RAW and SCN. Bryan continues to compete in both Open and Masters categories, seeking to best both his own records and those currently held by others across multiple weight classes.

What led you to your sport:
I was initially led into the sport by the desire to compete at a high level and to have something to train and work towards in the gym.

Achievements:
Sampling of awards won over the years, though not a definitive list: Powerlifting • 1st place, 2022 100% RAW World Championships Strict Curl (82.5kg) • 1st place, 2022 Arnold Classic SCN Strict Curl Championships (82.5kg) • 1st place, 2022 100% RAW Virginia Open Strict Curl (82.5kg) • 1st place, 2022 100% RAW Virginia Christmas Classic Bench Press (90kg) • 1st place, 2022 100% RAW Virginia Christmas Classic Strict Curl (90kg) • 1st place, 2021 100% RAW Virginia Christmas Classic Strict Curl (75kg) • 1st place, 2021 100% RAW Virginia Christmas Classic Bench Press (75kg) • 1st place, 2021 100% RAW Strict Curl World Championships (82.5kg) • 1st place, 2021 100% RAW Masters Strict Curl National Championships (75kg) • 1st place, 2021 100% RAW American Challenge Strict Curl (75kg) • 3rd place, 2018 100% RAW World Championships Strict Curl (75kg) • 2nd place, 2015 100% RAW World Championships Strict Curl (75kg) • 1st place, 2013 100% RAW Old Dominion Classic Strict Curl (82.5kg) • 1st place, 2012 100% RAW Bull Run Open Strict Curl (90kg) • 1st place, 2012 100% RAW Eastern Open Strict Curl (82.5kg) Armwrestling • 1st place, 2016 USAF National Championships (Right, 187lbs) • 1st place, 2016 USAF National Championships (Left, 187lbs) • 1st place, 2015 VA State Championships (Left, 176lbs) • 2nd place, 2015 VA State Championships (Right, 176lbs) • 2nd place, 2013 USAA National Championships (Right, 176lbs) • 2nd place, 2013 Sitdown National Championships (Right, 187lbs) • 1st place, 2007 MD State Championships (Right, 187lbs)

State, national and world records:
Current Records held: • Open World Record, 75kg Class Strict Curl (100% RAW) • Open World Record, 82.5kg Class Strict Curl (100% RAW) • Open World Record, 82.5kg Class Strict Curl (SCN) • 35-39 World Record, 75kg Class Strict Curl (100% RAW) • 35-39 World Record, 82.5kg Class Strict Curl (100% RAW) • Open US National Record, 75kg Class Strict Curl (100% RAW) • Open US National Record, 82.5kg Class Strict Curl (100% RAW) • Open VA State Record, 75kg Class Strict Curl (100% RAW) • Open VA State Record, 82.5kg Class Strict Curl (100% RAW)

Other accomplishments.
Many Best Lifter Awards over the years, including: • Best Overall Lifter, 2022 100% RAW World Championships Strict Curl • Best Overall Lifter, 2022 100% RAW Christmas Classic Bench Press • Best Overall Lifter, 2022 100% RAW Christmas Classic Strict Curl • Best Overall Lifter, 2021 100% RAW Virginia Christmas Classic Strict Curl

Other activities within the sport:
In my spare time I enjoy helping other lifters develop and currently virtually coach a handful of athletes for free.