79-year-old Ray Fougnier continues to raise the bar with his latest performance at the 2022 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Powerlifting World Championships. In addition to winning the event’s Top Senior Male Athlete of the Year in Powerlifting Award, the Oneida Indian Nation powerlifter set 27 world records and earned 8 gold medals.

Oneida Indian Nation Homelands (October 19, 2022) –– Oneida Indian Nation Member Ray Fougnier returned to the mat and continued his exceptional abilities in powerlifting at the 2022 Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) Powerlifting World Championships held in Las Vegas, NV earlier this month. Building on his prior successes, the 79-year-old set 27 new World Records and earned eight gold medals at the competition. Fougnier also added the 2022 AAU Strength Sports Overall Male National Athlete of the Year Award, which includes powerlifting, weightlifting, body building and feats of strength. This award includes all competitors, regardless of age.

Fougnier has competed at the AAU North American, World and International Powerlifting Championships for eight years, setting new records each time in the raw master’s division, where participants within his age range (75-79) do not use equipment to assist their lift.

At the 2022 World Championships, Fougnier competed in the raw master’s and equipped master’s divisions, successfully completing eight of nine lifts in each division (three for each lift type). After completing a World Record third lift, participants can ask for a fourth to increase their scores. Using a special formula that utilizes each competitor’s best lifts, the AAU presented Fougnier with the Lifter of the Year Award and the Athlete of the Year Award for previous competitions.

The Oneida Indian Nation is proud to sponsor Fougnier at powerlifting events across the country as a strong advocate for his inspiring mission to promote healthy living and exercise for Native Americans of every age.

“I try to take care of myself physically, first and foremost,” Fougnier said, reflecting on his performance. “As long as you do that, and train safely and methodically, you can live a healthy life at any age. My advice to other American Indian Elders is to be committed and consistent, both in exercise and diet.”

In addition to his success in powerlifting, Fougnier is also an accomplished educator, administrator and academic. After growing up in the homelands of the Oneida Indian Nation in Upstate New York, the weightlifting champion was selected to serve as the first Director for the American Indian Program at Cornell University. He also served as a teacher or administrator in the East Syracuse-Minoa, Solvay, Westhill and Syracuse City school districts.

FOR MEDIA USE ONLY: To download photos of Ray Fougnier, click HERE.

About the Oneida Indian Nation

The Oneida Indian Nation is a federally recognized Indian nation in Central New York. A founding member of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy (also known as the Six Nations or Iroquois Confederacy), the Oneida Indian Nation sided with the Americans in the Revolutionary War and was thanked by Congress and President George Washington for its loyalty and assistance. Today, the Oneida Indian Nation consists of about 1,000 enrolled Members, most of them living in Central New York. The Nation’s enterprises, which employ more than 4, 500 people, include Turning Stone Resort Casino, YBR Casino & Sports Book, Point Place Casino, The Lake House at Sylvan Beach, The Cove at Sylvan Beach, opening Summer 2022, Maple Leaf Markets, SāvOn Convenience stores, RV Park, and three marinas. Proceeds from these enterprises are used to rebuild the Nation’s economic base and provide essential services, including housing, health care, and education incentives and programs, to its Members.

Media Contact:
Kelly Abdo, Director of Public Relations
Oneida Indian Nation
315.366.9291
kabdo@oneida-nation.org