The Worlds Strongest Wrestler Furman Jeffords aka Big Hoss By Christopher Annino

Furman Jeffords otherwise known as Big Hoss not only is he the world’s strongest wrestler but he has a big heart that complements his uncanny strength. When he is not raising his hand in triumph in the squared circle or at the gym pumping iron he volunteers his time for Special Olympics, the Sheriff’s Department, and helps young kids with disabilities at Camp Talk http://www.camptalk.org/ a camp dedicated in helping children with social disorders such as autism and Asperger’s.

                Furman was always involved with sports, when he was younger he played center and defensive tackle for both middle and high school. Due to his strength and athletic ability he earned the nickname Big Hoss by his family and peers. But pro wrestling was always in his heart. The individual who planted the inspirational seed in Furmans mind was none other than Ric Flair “I admire Ric Flair because he was a professional, a great wrestler and someone who truly represented being a champion.”

                When Furman was a young man Furman would go to a gym called Lords Gym to lift. There he met trainer Mat Oesch who had a degree in exercise physiology “he was a very positive role model for me and he turned me as a kid into being a machine. He would custom make his own gym equipment and his gym was the first to have 180lb dumbbells.”  Furman developed himself into a force to be reckoned with in power lifting and in strongman.  Furman has won numerous awards in powerlifting amongst those awards was world’s strongest teen in the United States.  He competed in his first strongman contest in 2002 in his early 20’s and it was called Beast of the east which was held at Myrtle Beach in the parking lot of the Hardrock Café.

Furman and his training partner Johnny Rakowsky who is now studying to be a lawyer worked many grueling hours in the gym to achieve success in competition. “Johnny was like a little brother to me and at 220 lbs he had a 800 lb squat with gear. He was the best training partner I have ever had.” Furman’s best lifts were an 1103lb squat with gear, a raw 800lb squat, an 815lb squat with a shirt, a raw 615 lb bench, and a 765 lb deadlift.

 “I like Eric Spoto and Eric Lilliebridge I follow a lot of the raw lifters they need more people like these guys in the sport and less egos. Powerlifting is never going to be a big named sport because there is too many egos the raw guys hate the gear guys and the gear guys hate the raw guys. Gear lifting to me is like a magic trick it’s fun and you can get big numbers but when they find out the trick it’s not fun anymore. It’s not that the guys are getting stronger it’s that the gear is getting better, and because of this its never going to become a big name sport.”

                The way Furman began his wrestling career was he was working out at a gym called Norms Gym and he was approached by a wrestling trainer/ promoter called Preston Leafhart. Preston owned an old torn up ring and had Furman come by to get trained. “He showed me out to take a bump and wanted me to take one. I never took a bump before I walked to the center of his ring and took a bump and broke his ring. So I went to Pain and Glory and was taught by Susan Tex Green. Susan Tex Green taught me to the importance to be a professional in and outside of the ring.”

                Furman or as he is known in the wrestling world as Big Hoss has led a very successful pro wrestling career and is respected amongst his peers he has gone against such wrestlers as Buff Bagwell, Handsome Jimmy Valiant, Johnny Z, Bob Keller, Scotty Rigs, David Flair, Reid Flair, Ted Allen, Midnight Express, Barbarian, and many more. Big Hoss has wrestled in the south and has racked up various championships as well. Big Hoss not only has super human strength in the ring but he also demonstrates great stamina and agility. Big Hoss has got some devastating finishers that render his opponents unconscious.  Sunset flip, leg drop, bear hug, and elbow drop are to name a few. “ My view on wrestling now is that its more holly wood  than ever. They broke away from the tradition of old school wrestling it’s more of a soap opera now. Back in the mid-Atlantic NWA days in the 80’s and 90’s guys worked a lot harder to capture an audience. Back then the guys also worked a lot stiffer. In order to be a good pro wrestler you have to be well conditioned, pay attention, athletic, work with others, and take constructive criticism.”

I want to thank the following people for helping make my dreams come true me Parents / family for sticking by me and supporting my goals, Dr, Gerald Congdon coastal urgent care, Pawleys Island, SC, Susan Tex Green, Ruth Anne Jeffords, Judge John Rakowsky West Columbia, SC, And if you are ever in ct and you are serious about go see Gab Glaza at Old School Iron in new London, ct. Also if you want to train to be a pro wrestler, power lifter contact bighosswsw@gmail.com

UPDATE: Furman Jeffords, aka Big Hoss, signed a contract to Wrestle for WrestleForce. On Sunday March 30, bell time will be 7pm at The Hanger, 1832 Airport Blvd Cayce, SC. You can get your tickets through me. I will be selling discounted tickets for $10.00. Now is your chance to see me, Big Hoss, in action. Get your tickets soon before they sell out. Send me a message for more details.