Spiro Tshotikdis Virginia Strength and Power HoF inductee 2025

By Strength and Power Hall of Fame

Personal history:
My first competition was a USPF meet in 1985 (just after coming off of active duty with the 10th Special Forces Group) run by Brian Washington. I enjoyed the meet and wanted to become a Meet Director since I coached high school lifters. Brian and I teamed up with Bob Gaynor and Al Siegel and began running meets for the ADFPA and USPF. I created 100% RAW in 1999, and we hosted our first World Championships in 2001. I was called back into military service after 9/11 and deployed to Afghanistan with the 7th and 20th Special Forces Groups. I "handed the torch" for 100% RAW to Paul Bossi before deploying to Afghanistan, and we got back together in 2022. From 2006 (when I returned home for good) to 2022, I ran meets with Bob Gaynor for RAW United and the RAW Unity Meet with Bob and Eric Talmant.

What led you to your sport: 
I was a competitive bodybuilder as a teenager and was introduced to powerlifting by Rob Wagner in college (we played football and trained together). After that first USPF meet with Brian Washington, I was hooked, and have served as an Administrator, International Referee, coach, and competitor ever since. 

Achievements in your sport:
Founder & former President of 100% RAW State, National, World Champion lifter with 100% RAW International Referee with 100% RAW Meet Director at State, National, and World level events with 100% RAW Coached State, National, and World Champion lifters and teams with 100% RAW

State, National and World records:
Won the inaugural 2001 100% RAW World Championships and Best Lifter honors (40-44, 198s) on lifts of 500, 300, 600 Won the 2024 100% RAW World Championships in the 65-69, 181s, with lifts of 305, 185, 405 (disabled combat veteran and old) Held records at the State, National, and World levels with 100% RAW

Accomplishments:
Featured on ESPN for hosting the inaugural ADFPA High School Nationals while serving as the ADFPA Teenage National Chairman Hosted the inaugural 100% RAW World Championships and both my teams (Woodrow Wilson Senior High School and the United States Naval Academy) won the team title in their respective divisions Powerlifting USA cover and feature interview for the RAW United Mike Witmer Memorial Open Hosted the RAW Unity Meet for all nine years with Bob and Eric My gym team (Strong Life) won the team title (Mixed Youth) at the 2022 100% RAW World Championships

 

Other activities:

President of Strong Life 610, an international, online church ministry for strength athletes Currently serve as an International Referee and announcer for 100% RAW

Author: By Strength and Power Hall of Fame Completed: no Created: Mon Apr 14 01:14:13 UTC 2025 | Last Updated: Tue Apr 15 00:18:01 UTC 2025