Three Homestead residents were honored, during the July 2014 Special Council Presentation, for their remarkable athletic achievements representing their city and country at the 2014 Europa Games held in Orlando, Florida. The games are an Olympic-like spread of various events that take place throughout a given year at multiple venues across the United States. Typically, the events are centered around activities that demand great stores of strength such as bodybuilding, cross-fit training, wrestling, arm-wrestling and powerlifting to name but a few.
“Over thirty thousand athletes from around the world participated in the Europa games this year and I am pleased to announce that three of our very own placed first in three different divisions,” said Councilman Burgess. “I thought it was appropriate to honor these tenacious competitors for having represented their city and their nation with dignity.”
Winning the arm-wrestling portion of the competition in his weight class was Richard Spiroff. Mr. Spiroff is the owner of Homestead Physical Therapy and a competitive arm-wrestler since 1992 when he won the first of eight Florida State titles. Mr. Spiroff was featured in the AMC reality series, ‘Game of Arms,’ which provides an insider’s view into the world of competitive arm-wrestling.
Mr. Spiroff’s son, Logan, inside linebacker for the State Champion South Dade High Buccaneers, also placed first in the 176lb. novice right-handed arm-wrestling category. Logan is credited for having inspired his dad to come out of retirement to become one of the fiercest father/son arm-wrestling tandems in the country.
A friend of the Spiroff’s and a champion in his own right is owner/operator of Power World Fitness of Homestead, Kent Spires. Having retired from competitive power lifting in 2005 due to injury, he was inspired by the dedication of the Spiroff’s and decided to go for it. Despite not training for the month prior to the games, Mr. Spires still managed to bench press 511 lbs. which qualified him for the World Championship in West Palm Beach this coming November.
Upon awarding them with their framed certificates of appreciation, Councilman Burgess said, “I hope that the example you three men have set of dedication and discipline will serve to inspire others to strive for great things. May your unwavering commitment lead you to many more accomplishments in life. Congratulations!”
