Florida Armwrestling Hall of Fame

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Steve Myers getting his hall of fame award

📣 Honoring a Florida Armwrestling Legend: Christ Russakis 💪🏆

For almost half a century, Christ Russakis has been the heart and soul of armwrestling in the state of Florida. Known by many as the Godfather of Florida Armwrestling, his impact on the sport runs deep — not just as a fierce competitor in his prime, but as a mentor, coach, and lifelong ambassador of the table.

Christ’s journey is legendary. From being best friends with arguably the greatest Florida armwrestler of all time, to helping shape the path for generations of pullers across the South, his fingerprints are all over the state’s rich armwrestling history.

But what truly sets Christ apart is that his dedication hasn’t faded with time — it’s only grown stronger. Even today, you can still find him in Ft Pierce, Florida, leading practices and building up the next wave of champions with the Pole Barn Benders Armwrestling Team. His knowledge, passion, and leadership continue to light the way for those hungry to rise in this sport.

We thank you, Christ Russakis, for being the foundation, the guide, and the unshakable pillar of Florida armwrestling. Your legacy is not only alive — it’s still growing. 🏅🔥

I started pulling when I was 16 back in 1984 and one of my first Florida title at Kevin Johns event in Punta Gorda both left hand and right hand seven years in a row before going to Japan in 1992 and winning the worlds. I then went into retirement until I saw Christian Binnie, Paul and Will Brock at a bar and decided to come out of retirement to pull Christian a very humbly moment when he beat me and started practicing with all my boys with Frank Dias and all of them back in 2014. Then in 2016 I went to the wall competition in Chicago in won the southeast division title and then following that went to Las Vegas to pull in the wall tournament for the hammer. It took third place to Devon Laratta and Ron Bath. I compete in several state tournaments and I’ve always won first place left-handed up until Daniel Worely beat me back in 2022 or three I believe. At that time I decided it was time to pass the torch on and went into retirement. I have won both world titles now in arm, wrestling and powerlifting multiple world titles and powerlifting and just felt it was time for me to relax and enjoy the rest of my life.

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Send pics and stories. Of the inductees of this hall of fame

2024
Kevin Johns
Greg Helm
Jim Battles
Bobby Hopkins Sr
Christ Russakis

2025
Teresa Taglione
Ray Taglione
Dickie Spiroff
Mike Lewis
Steve Myers